Reasons why the iPhone Air loses heat.

Demand for the iPhone Air is rapidly declining. Photo: Wired .

Apple's experiment with producing an ultra-thin smartphone isn't going smoothly. According to analysts and supply chain sources, low demand has forced the company to cut production for this iPhone model.

Nikkei Asia reports that iPhone Air production orders have been cut to near "production halt." This week, TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared on X that suppliers are reducing capacity by up to 80%. Japanese securities firm Mizuho Securities has also lowered its sales forecast for the slimmest phone due to weak demand.

In some markets, iPhone Air sales have also been quite good. Shortly after Apple CEO Tim Cook's visit to China, SCMP reported that the phone model had sold out in that market.

Analysts at Counterpoint Research also offered a positive outlook on the iPhone Air, noting that it is outselling the iPhone 16 Plus (which will be replaced in 2025). However, they cautioned that the iPhone Air will remain a niche product line, at least initially.

Overall, it seems the iPhone Air didn't achieve the resounding success Apple had hoped for, despite being touted as the world's thinnest phone with powerful specifications hidden beneath the glass. Since its launch, the ultra-thin model has sparked debate within the smartphone user community.

Bloomberg tech critic Mark Gurman advises against buying this product because the price tag of over a thousand dollars is not commensurate with the specifications offered. Opinions on social media are also quite harsh, stemming from real-world experiences with the device.

In terms of design, to achieve a thickness of 5.5 mm, the iPhone Air had to make many compromises, such as having only a single rear camera and a smaller battery, to the point that Apple had to release a dedicated wireless charging battery pack specifically for this device. After using it, many people began comparing different smartphone models.

Slashgear reporter Nadeem Sarwar said he used the iPhone Air for a week and had to switch to the 17 Pro shortly after. According to Sarwar, the Air series feels great in the hand, and it's hard to believe that such a thin body could house a powerful chip like the A19 Pro.

However, he constantly experienced overheating during use, especially when playing games for extended periods or recording high-resolution videos . The device would heat up noticeably and would automatically reduce screen brightness to compensate for the increased temperature.

Furthermore, the Type-C port only supports the older and slower USB 2.0 standard, the speakers are of poor quality, and the haptic feedback is not as good as other models in the same line. Regarding the single camera, Sarwar argues that cutting the sensor doesn't offer the same versatility as a dedicated ultra-wide or telephoto camera, despite Apple's marketing strategy.

He commented that the phone is decent for the average user, but not the best value for money. "Even the standard iPhone 17, which costs a few hundred dollars less, offers a much more comprehensive experience. The lack of features becomes even more apparent when compared to Android phones like the OnePlus 13," Sarwar wrote.