Apple cancels rumoured 2026 iPhone Air plans

Apple has postponed the next iteration of its ultra-thin iPhone Air beyond its previously targeted autumn 2026 launch, according to multiple reports citing people familiar with the matter. 

The Information first reported the delay, which Reuters said it could not independently verify; Apple has not commented publicly. 

Introduced in September 2025 as the thinnest handset in the lineup, the first-generation iPhone Air was marketed as a lighter, slimmer alternative to Apple’s main flagships. 

Its design traded off a smaller battery and pared-back camera features, positioning it below the Pro models. 

Industry coverage says weaker-than-expected demand has prompted Apple and its suppliers to scale back production of the current model, while engineers work on revisions to the successor. 

Some reports suggest the refreshed Air could slip to spring 2027 as Apple prioritises other 2026 launches. 

The Air is eSIM-only worldwide—an approach that has complicated its profile in China, where carrier support for eSIM on iPhone has historically lagged, although China Unicom offers Air service. 

Analysts and supply-chain sources have linked the device’s muted uptake in part to these market dynamics.