Misryoum reports ultra-thin smartphone plans are getting scaled back as iPhone Air’s early sales underwhelm.
Ultra-thin phones are suddenly less fashionable, and Misryoum reports the shift traces back to iPhone Air’s underwhelming early performance.
According to information circulating within the supply chain ecosystem. the iPhone Air’s activations reportedly barely topped the low seven figures even after multiple price adjustments.. The same chatter also suggests that at least one domestic ultra-thin competitor struggled to reach meaningful volume. putting additional pressure on brands that were banking on thinness as a differentiator.
This is the key point: when an “aspirational” category fails to pull demand fast enough, the risk doesn’t stay with one company. It spreads across roadmaps, budgets, and supplier commitments.
As a result, Misryoum reports that competing manufacturers have started walking back plans for follow-up ultra-thin flagships.. Xiaomi and Vivo are both linked to halted or reduced efforts. while Samsung is said to have scrapped a planned Edge model after sales didn’t meet expectations.. In this environment, ultra-thin becomes a niche bet rather than a scalable strategy.
Meanwhile. Apple’s next step appears to be “fix and continue.” Misryoum notes that despite the iPhone Air’s commercial concerns. the company is expected to press on with iPhone Air 2. with a release window discussed around spring 2027.. The broader launch schedule is also described as more segmented. separating standard models and premium tiers across different parts of the year.
This matters for buyers and the market: thinning a phone is only one piece of the equation, and consumer appeal often hinges on cameras, thermals, battery life, and practical durability.
Misryoum further reports that iPhone Air 2 is undergoing a set of revisions aimed at addressing criticism of the original.. Rumored changes include potentially adding a second rear camera. adjusting pricing. and tweaking internal design choices such as improved cooling. weight reduction. and battery capacity.. There’s also discussion of requesting an ultra-thin Face ID component to create space for additional hardware.
If the new approach works, the iPhone Air 2 could help reframe what “ultra-thin” needs to deliver beyond styling. Misryoum’s takeaway is simple: in smartphones, a slim silhouette only wins when it doesn’t force compromises that customers can feel day to day.
At the same time, the industry’s cautious stance suggests brands may be more selective going forward. In an uncertain demand cycle, “chasing the thinnest” is giving way to “earning attention with balanced performance.”