Apple seems to be quietly shifting gears. After months of buzz around the super-slim iPhone Air, reports now suggest the project might not have the smooth future many expected. Instead, the company appears to be putting serious weight behind its long-rumored foldable iPhone lineup — not one, but two models in the pipeline.
The iPhone Air, launched with plenty of hype for its ultra-thin build and sleek design, hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Despite early sellouts in China, sales elsewhere have been softer than Apple hoped. According to Japan’s Mizuho Securities, Apple has now reduced production of the Air by about one million units this year. The rest of the iPhone 17 lineup — the standard, Pro, and Pro Max models — are still performing well, with total output expected to climb to roughly 94 million units in early 2026.
The Air’s smaller 3,149mAh battery and $999 price point — just $100 below the Pro — haven’t helped its case. Buyers seem to prefer paying a bit more for better performance and endurance. Some sources on Weibo even claim the Air could be canceled altogether, echoing Samsung’s recent decision to drop the Galaxy S26 Edge after lackluster sales of the S25 Edge.
If true, Apple’s attention now turns fully toward foldables. A recent ET News report from Korea claims Apple is preparing a book-style foldable iPhone for 2026, followed by a smaller clamshell-style model in 2028. Analyst Kim Ki-hyun of Stone Partners told attendees at ETNews’ Tech Summit that Apple has already lined up key suppliers, signaling that this isn’t just a one-off experiment.
Some forecasts, like one from Mizuho, suggest a possible delay to 2027 as Apple continues to refine the hinge and display materials. Still, insiders agree the company’s foldable ambitions are very real. The prototypes reportedly use advanced display tech — including LTPO panels for power efficiency and color filter-on-encapsulation (COE) to boost brightness — aiming to eliminate the visible crease that plagues current foldables.
The larger model could open up to around 7.8 inches, offering tablet-like productivity, while the clamshell design is expected to target users who want something compact and stylish.
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