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The iPhone Air won't get an annual upgrade. Photo: Phone Arena . |
Contrary to previous sources' speculation about the reason for the iPhone Air's delay, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman said that this device does not have an annual upgrade cycle, similar to the previous iPhone SE.
When Apple announced the iPhone Air alongside the iPhone 17 lineup in September, the name of the new product was a source of curiosity. According to Gurman, the reason the device was not called "iPhone 17 Air" was because Apple did not want to tie the product to an annual release schedule.
This explanation helps clear up recent rumors that the second-generation iPhone Air was "delayed" from 2026 to 2027 due to poor sales.
However, Gurman confirmed that the device is not actually scheduled to launch next year. The "Air" brand allows Apple the flexibility to update it on its own time, similar to the previous iPhone SE.
There's also another notable point in Gurman's information. The Bloomberg article claims that the device is essentially a "technological exercise" and "a prototype on the way to a foldable iPhone."
While Apple has never said so publicly, the Air is believed to be a way for them to prepare their supply chain. It uses many of the same materials, miniaturization techniques, and internal components that are needed for Apple’s first foldable phone. The focus isn’t on big sales, but on perfecting the manufacturing process.
That explains why Apple has not promoted the iPhone Air much since its launch. Sales of the iPhone Air are expected to be quite modest, only on par with the iPhone 16 Plus, the device line it replaces.
Like the iPhone mini, the iPhone Air is a device that appeals to a small number of users. Most buyers still opt for the more practical Pro models.
As Phone Arena reporter Johanna Romero notes, this naming strategy is a clever way for Apple to manage market expectations. Calling the product the "iPhone 17 Air" would immediately create expectations for an "iPhone 18 Air" in 2026.
The “Air” name broke that cycle. It allowed Apple to openly experiment with new technologies, like extreme thinness and component miniaturization, without having to commit to a fixed place in its main product line.
Besides, this naming helps to position the Air as a special project. Considering that the device's real purpose may be to test the supply chain for upcoming foldable phones, this move makes perfect sense.
Source: https://znews.vn/iphone-air-khong-bi-khai-tu-post1603364.html
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