Apple has scrapped plans to release a new version of its iPhone Air in 2026, according to a report by The Information, which attributes the decision to weaker-than-expected sales of the current model.
The iPhone Air, introduced in 2025, was positioned as a slimmer and lighter alternative to Apple’s flagship devices. Its design relied on trade-offs that included a smaller battery and scaled-back camera hardware, features that analysts say may have limited its appeal in a market driven by performance and longevity.
Reuters reported that demand for the device fell short of Apple’s early projections, with analysts noting that the model has struggled especially in China. The phone is sold there without a physical SIM tray and relies entirely on eSIM technology, a system that was only recently approved by Chinese telecom regulators.
The restricted compatibility, combined with consumer hesitancy toward eSIM-only devices, is believed to have contributed to slower uptake.
Apple has not commented publicly on the reported cancellation, and Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims. The Information cited people familiar with the matter but provided no additional details on whether Apple may revisit the product line in the future.
The reported decision marks a setback for Apple’s efforts to diversify its iPhone segment with design-driven niche models at a time of intensifying competition in global smartphone markets and shifting consumer preferences.
