UPDATE: Apple’s iPhone Air sales have plummeted, leading major smartphone manufacturers to cancel plans for ultra-thin devices. This shocking turn of events is reshaping the tech landscape, and industry watchers are taking note.
Reports confirm that the iPhone Air failed to meet expectations, prompting a wave of caution among Chinese competitors. Companies such as Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi have pulled back on their ultra-thin smartphone developments due to fears of replicating Apple’s disappointing outcome.
Just this week, sources from DigitTimes Asia revealed that these brands are halting their ultra-slim projects. Xiaomi’s ambitious “true Air model” and Vivo’s midrange slim smartphone are both shelved for now, as manufacturers reassess their strategies. The cancellations mark a significant shift in the market, as rivals reassess their approaches following Apple’s struggles.
Apple’s issues stem from the iPhone Air, which, according to MacRumors, faced severe production cuts after dismal sales. Foxconn, a key manufacturing partner, began dismantling production lines for the device, a move echoed by Luxshare in October. The iPhone Air’s trade-offs, including a single rear camera and smaller battery, failed to resonate with consumers, ultimately leading to its market failure.
The implications of this trend are vast. As Apple struggles, it sets a cautionary precedent for competitors. Samsung, which initially sought to challenge Apple by launching a variant of its own, has also decided to cancel the highly anticipated Galaxy S26 Edge, citing poor sales of the previous Galaxy S25 Edge model.
This rapid shift in the smartphone industry reflects broader consumer sentiment and market dynamics. As companies prioritize other model developments over ultra-thin designs, the future of smartphone innovation could be at stake.
For consumers, this means a potential delay in the arrival of new ultra-slim devices, with brands turning their focus to more appealing options. The cancellation of these projects underscores the importance of market response and consumer demand in shaping technology trends.
As this story develops, industry experts will be closely watching how these decisions impact the competitive landscape. Will other brands follow suit, or will a new vision for ultra-thin smartphones emerge? Stay tuned for updates as the situation evolves.
