The iPhone Air is not being discontinued.

The iPhone Air will not receive annual upgrades. Photo: Phone Arena .

Contrary to earlier speculation about the reason for the iPhone Air's delayed launch, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman suggests that the device doesn't 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 new product's name sparked curiosity. According to Gurman, the reason the device wasn't called "iPhone 17 Air" was that Apple didn't want to tie the product to its annual launch schedule.

This explanation helps clarify recent rumors suggesting that the second-generation iPhone Air has been "delayed" from 2026 to 2027 due to poor sales.

However, Gurman asserts that the device is not actually scheduled for release next year. The "Air" branding allows Apple the flexibility to update it at its own pace, similar to the previous iPhone SE.

Additionally, there's another noteworthy point in Gurman's information. The Bloomberg article suggests that the device is essentially a "technological exercise" and "a prototype on the way to a foldable iPhone."

Although Apple has never publicly stated this, the Air is believed to be a way for them to prepare their supply chain. The device uses many of the same materials, miniaturization techniques, and internal components as what was needed for Apple's first foldable phone. The focus isn't on massive sales, but on perfecting the manufacturing process.

That explains why Apple hasn't heavily promoted the iPhone Air since its launch. iPhone Air sales are predicted to be quite modest, only on par with the iPhone 16 Plus, the device it replaces.

Like the iPhone mini, the iPhone Air is a device suitable for a small segment of users. Most buyers still opt for the more practical Pro models.

According to reporter Johanna Romero on Phone Arena , this naming strategy is a clever way for Apple to manage market expectations. Calling the product "iPhone 17 Air" will immediately create expectations for an "iPhone 18 Air" in 2026.

The name "Air" broke that vicious cycle. It allowed Apple to openly experiment with new technologies, such as extreme thinness and component miniaturization, without having to commit to a fixed position in its core product line.

Furthermore, this naming convention helps to define Air as a special project. Considering that the device's true purpose might be to test the supply chain for an upcoming foldable phone, this move makes perfect sense.