iPhone Air Faces Criticism Amid Sales Struggles
The iPhone Air, distinguished by its sleek and lightweight design, has garnered praise for being the sole model in Apple’s recent offerings to feature a titanium frame.
Contrary to the discontinued Plus series, known for its expansive screens and extended battery life, the Air’s single-camera configuration and relatively modest battery capacity have ignited discussions around its steep pricing, particularly when juxtaposed with the conventional iPhone 17.
“The iPhone Air was anticipated to eclipse the Plus series in sales; however, two months post-launch, its performance mirrors that of its predecessor,” stated Nguyen Thanh Chung, a representative from a prominent retail chain.
A recent VnExpress survey indicated that while the device is readily available at most outlets, certain color variants of the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max are experiencing limited availability.
Some retailers and e-commerce platforms have raised prices for these sought-after models. Initially comprising 7-8% of overall iPhone sales during its launch phase in 2025, the Air’s market share has since waned to 2-3% as inventory levels for alternative models surged.
Chung approximated that major retail outlets are moving over 1,000 units monthly per location, yet this figure remains “disappointingly low compared to the Pro Max series” and only slightly improves upon the Plus series sales.
Le Hieu, proprietor of an Apple-focused store in Hanoi, noted that although consumers were initially drawn to the iPhone Air for its slender profile, many opted to switch to the Pro series later, citing superior camera capabilities, the practicality of physical SIM cards, and enhanced network stability.
Moreover, the iPhone Air is currently witnessing the most substantial price reductions, with discounts reaching up to VND1.5 million (approximately US$57) from its initial price of VND32 million.
Meanwhile, its U.S. variant is obtainable in the grey market for VND25-26 million. Nevertheless, the iPhone Air continues to outperform the majority of high-end Android alternatives.
“Though selling a thousand units monthly may signify a lackluster performance for the iPhone Air, it still represents a benchmark that several Android models in the same price bracket can only dream of achieving,” asserted Chung.
Very few Android devices are priced above VND30 million, and the majority fail to attain the popularity of Apple products.
Some major smartphone retailers report that the Galaxy S25 Ultra, priced at over VND28 million—slightly more than the standard iPhone 17 yet more economical than the iPhone Air—has emerged as the leading Android model in this price category.
While Samsung and Apple have refrained from releasing explicit sales figures for their devices in Vietnam, some retailers suggest that the Galaxy S25 Ultra outsells the iPhone Air by 20-50%.
In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Edge, which was designed to compete directly with the iPhone Air, has failed to capture significant consumer interest.
A representative from another retail chain noted that Android phones outperforming the iPhone Air typically fall within the VND15 million price range, including models like the Xiaomi 15T and Galaxy S24 Plus.
Reports from Nikkei Asia reveal that, owing to tepid demand, Apple reduced its iPhone Air production by 10% in November relative to September, having initially expected it to constitute 10-15% of total iPhone production for 2025.
However, a survey conducted in October by tech platform Apple Insider indicated a mere 2% market share for the iPhone Air, failing to secure a spot among the top five Apple models.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max emerged as the most popular, capturing 33% of the market, followed by the iPhone 17 Pro and 17.
Demand for the three versions of the iPhone 17 lineup remains robust. Sources indicate that the American technology giant has augmented its total orders for the new iPhone models from 88 million to 94 million.
This includes an additional one million units of the iPhone 17 Pro, two million of the iPhone 17, and four million of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, while concurrently slashing orders for the iPhone Air by one million units.
Source link: E.vnexpress.net.
