Technology
The iPhone Air serves as design stepping stone despite modest sales
Analysts suggest Apple's slim $999 smartphone has helped establish the component and design pathway for a rumored foldable iPhone.
The short version
- Despite generating initial buzz, the iPhone Air sold 7.7 million units across four quarters, making up just 1.8% of Apple's phone sales in Q2 2026.
- The device's thin 5.6mm profile required design compromises, including a single rear camera, a single top speaker, and a smaller battery.
- Industry analysts view the iPhone Air as a transitional product that establishes a hardware roadmap for an anticipated foldable iPhone.
Key facts
- The $999 iPhone Air measures 5.6mm thick, weighs 165 grams, and features a single 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, one top speaker, and a smaller battery with 20-watt charging.[CNET]
- According to IDC data, the iPhone Air sold 7.7 million units across four quarters, accounting for 1.8% of Apple's phone sales in the second quarter of 2026.[CNET]
- Samsung's competing super-slim S25 Edge sold 2.3 million units over five quarters, representing less than 1% of Samsung's phone sales in most quarters.[CNET]
- A CNET survey indicated that 75% of adults in the United States are not interested in a foldable iPhone.[CNET]
- IDC forecasts that Apple will ship more than 17 million foldable iPhones by 2027.[CNET]
What remains uncertain
- The exact release schedule for a rumored foldable iPhone and a second-generation iPhone Air remains unconfirmed, though rumors point to potential rollouts in September and spring 2027, respectively.[CNET]