Although the iPhone Air, launched by Apple in fall 2025, has reportedly underperformed in sales, its slim design and other features have been cited as potentially laying the groundwork for foldable smartphones. Attention is focused on future events, market trends and the prospects for the Air 2.
The Air was launched in fall 2025. It is thin, weighs approximately 165 g and was reported to be priced at $999, or approximately ¥177,800 in Japan. Although sales are said to have fallen short of expectations, some view the device as not only attractive in its own right but also as the starting point for a roadmap toward foldable smartphones.
The views of a Gartner research principal and IDC's market forecasts were presented, outlining expectations for growth in the foldable device market. The discussion also touched on the outlook for a successor to the Air and the timing of a foldable iPhone, with an Apple event scheduled for 9 September U.S. time.
The trade-offs associated with the slim design include a single 48-megapixel wide-angle rear camera, a single top-mounted speaker and 20W charging, among other features and battery-related compromises. At the same time, the Air was praised for demonstrating the appeal of a slim form factor and a new direction for component design, suggesting that consumer interest may focus on slim designs.
The Air has been cited as an important prerequisite for the transition to foldable devices, prompting discussion of the prospects for the Air 2, the rollout of standard models in spring 2027 and its potential contribution to creating demand for a foldable iPhone. IDC forecasts that foldable devices will account for nearly 40% of global market share by the end of 2027.