Since pre-orders opened last Friday, most iPhones have slipped to a 2–3 or 3–4 week delivery forecast, except for the iPhone Air, which remains available on launch day in every configuration but one.
A bit of context
Earlier this year, The Information reported that, due to demand uncertainty for what turned out to be the iPhone Air, Apple was dedicating just 10% of iPhone manufacturing capacity to this model. The publication said that the standard iPhone 17 would account for 25% of total production, the iPhone 17 Pro for 25%, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max for the remaining 40%.
At the time, rumors were riding high about a significantly smaller battery capacity, which would make the slim iPhone unappealing for a large portion of the public, who wouldn’t be able to go a full day without having to recharge the device:
The percentage of users who can go a single day without recharging the thin phone will be between 60% and 70%. For other models, that metric is between 80% and 90%, one of the people said. To solve this, Apple is developing an optional accessory—a phone case meant for the thin model that also contains a battery pack, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Apple announces the iPhone Air
After the Awe Dropping event, it feels fair to say that the initial reception to the iPhone Air was overall positive. Apple did its best to minimize the unavoidable battery hit for a device this thin, and its design seemed to have drawn more praise than criticism.
The iPhone Air has also been the focus of most interviews with Apple executives, from CEO Tim Cook to the now-famous moment when Apple VP of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak threw a demo unit to Tom’s Guide’s Lance Ulanoff, who unsuccessfully tried to bend it.
Despite the initially positive reception and Apple’s efforts to promote the iPhone Air as a non-Pro iPhone Pro, it seems that public interest hasn’t lived up to what Apple had been planning for.
Four days into the pre-order window, the iPhone Air is still available for day-one delivery in all colors and sizes, except the 512GB Cloud White, which has slipped to a 2–3 week estimate.
... continue reading