Will iPhone 17 Air be a hit? That’s the question Apple wishes it could answer in advance, since it needs to prepare enough units of the new model to reasonably meet demand. But I suspect Apple’s sales estimates, based on a recent report, might be way off.
New Air model will reportedly only make up 10% of iPhone 17 production
Recently The Information published a wide-ranging report about Apple’s plans to shake up the iPhone line in the years ahead.
One fascinating detail involved production plans for the iPhone 17 line.
Per two sources, Apple’s Asian manufacturing partners have reportedly allotted the following production capacity to each new iPhone:
- iPhone 17: 25%
- iPhone 17 Pro: 25%
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 40%
- iPhone 17 Air: 10%
No, that final line is not a typo.
Apparently, as of now, only 10% of production for the iPhone 17 lineup is being designated for the new Air model.
Even Apple’s suppliers know this number could easily change come September:
One of the people said that until preorders start in September, it’s impossible to predict whether the manufacturing lines the manufacturers are setting up will be enough or even over capacity for the thin iPhone…manufacturers reserving production capacity for the phone are looking at how quickly they can convert their manufacturing lines to other models if the thin model doesn’t sell well, two people said.
It’s remarkable to me that some worry the 17 Air will make up even less than 10% of sales. That might mean selling worse than recent Plus models.
Will sacrificing some battery life, telephoto and ultra wide cameras, and having an A19 chip rather than A19 Pro truly detract that many potential buyers?
iPhone 17 Air could quickly get backordered if Apple doesn’t shift plans soon
My colleague Ben believes the Air’s compromises will far outweigh its benefits. Lately though, I’ve been leaning heavily the other direction.
Hands-on videos with iPhone 17 Air dummy models have convinced me the device may prove a massive hit.
Seeing reactions from everyone who’s held the ultra-thin model, and all the side-by-side shots comparing it to Pro options, confirms what I’d hoped for: iPhone 17 Air will feel futuristic.
Like the iPhone X did back in 2017, the 17 Air stands ready to shake up the iPhone status quo in a good way.
Yes there will be shortcomings. But I’d still bet on the 17 Air being the “it” model this year. 9to5Mac readers, who tend to heavily prefer Pro Max models, are clearly intrigued.
If my suspicions are right, then based on current manufacturing plans, Apple’s supply will come up way short of demand.
iPhone 17 Air could easily become the hardest model to get in years.
But Apple still has time to prevent that.
It’s four months until the new iPhone’s big unveiling and launch. Apple can start adjusting its manufacturing plans to give the 17 Air a larger share of production.
If it doesn’t, it might very well find itself supply-constrained for perhaps the most exciting new iPhone model in years.
Do you plan to buy an iPhone 17 Air? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
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