Apple built the dream iPhone. Why didn’t anyone buy it?
Apple built the dream iPhone. Why didn’t anyone buy it?
https://www.macworld.com/article/3142587/apple-dream-iphone-air-design-battery-camera.html
Publish Date: 2026-05-26 05:00:00
Source Domain: www.macworld.com
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld analyzes Apple’s iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone ever at 5.64mm, which has sold only 700,000 units compared to Apple’s typical 250 million annual sales.
- The $999 device prioritizes ultra-thin design over functionality, featuring a single camera, poor battery life, and mono speaker while costing just $100 less than the feature-rich iPhone 17 Pro.
- Consumer rejection suggests buyers prioritize practical features over extreme thinness, potentially forcing Apple to reconsider its Air strategy for future smartphone development.
The ultra-thin iPhone Air definitely caught everyone’s attention when it was unveiled last September. It’s the thinnest iPhone ever made, and it gave us a clear glimpse into the future of smartphones. When the new iPhones hit shelves on September 19, everyone was talking about the iPhone Air.
Months later, the reality is that very few people seem to have chosen the iPhone Air over its siblings. People who own it sing its praises, it’s one of the few iPhones to get a no-strings discount, and its design has been hailed as one of Apple’s best. So why hasn’t it been as successful as the other models?
Perception vs perspective
There’s no denying that the iPhone Air is a truly impressive device. Although my daily driver is an iPhone 17 Pro Max, I’ve had the chance to spend some time with the iPhone Air on a few occasions (most recently at an Apple event), and every time I hold it in my hands, I’m amazed by how thin and light it is.
We’re talking about a phone that’s just 5.64 millimeters thick and weighs only 165 grams. By comparison, the 17 Pro Max is 3 millimeters thicker and weighs 233 grams. It’s impossible not to feel the difference.
The design of the iPhone Air is undeniably impressive.
Foundry
The Air is also stunning. The combination of its ultra-slim design and shiny titanium frame screams luxury. Yet, sales of the…
