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iPhone 16e Demand Weak as iPhone Air Production Reportedly Halted

iPhone 16e Demand Weak as iPhone Air Production Reportedly Halted

The iPhone 17e is expected to launch in spring 2026 with an A19 chip.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 14 November 2025 12:33 IST

iPhone 16e Demand Weak as iPhone Air Production Reportedly Halted

Second generation of iPhone Air is tipped to feature two cameras at the back instead of one

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Highlights

Apple reportedly still plans to launch the iPhone 17e in spring 2026
iPhone 16e is said to underperform despite its lower starting price
iPhone 17 lineup demand reportedly remains strong with rising orders

Apple may be facing challenges with two of its newest iPhone models, as fresh leaks suggest that both the iPhone 16e and the iPhone Air are struggling to attract buyers. The claims originate from Weibo-based tipster Fixed Focus Digital, who has a track record of providing early details about Apple's entry-level lineup. While overall demand for the upcoming iPhone 17 series appears strong, the latest information points to weak traction for Apple's more affordable and ultra-thin offerings.

iPhone 16e Demand Weak as iPhone Air Production Reportedly Halted

Apple's entry-level iPhone 16e and the iPhone Air are reportedly seeing weak demand, according to a Weibo post by Fixed Focus Digital. Notably, this is the same leaker who initially leaked the iPhone 16e moniker. Despite low sales, Apple is still said to be moving ahead with updates for both models, including the iPhone 17e next spring, as per the tipster.

The latest leak also claims that production of the iPhone Air has now stopped entirely, following earlier reports of sharply reduced output. Despite these reports, it remains unclear whether this halt is permanent or a temporary pause to clear existing stock. In India, the handset retails at Rs. 1,19,900 for the base 256GB variant, while the 512GB and 1TB variants are priced at Rs. 1,39,900 and Rs. 1,59,900, respectively.

iPhone Air 2 Could Launch With This Camera Upgrade

The tipster added that the iPhone 16e is selling poorly, despite being positioned as Apple's low-cost alternative for Android switchers. Introduced earlier this year, the phone features the A18 chip, an OLED display, a C1 modem, and a 48-megapixel camera, all at a starting price of Rs. 59,900 for the base 128GB variant.

The iPhone 17e is expected to launch in spring 2026 with an A19 chip and potentially the Dynamic Island. Demand for the broader iPhone 17 lineup is said to be strong, with rising production orders.

iPhone Air Review: Thincredible

The leaker adds that iPhone Air production has now ceased after previous cuts pushed output close to end-of-line levels. The model has struggled due to its single rear camera and premium positioning. Apple is reportedly exploring a second-generation iPhone Air with two cameras, a larger battery and improved cooling, but the planned 2026 launch has been delayed.

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iPhone Air

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Incredibly lightweight and super thin
Stunning display
Solid performance
Good primary and selfie cameras

Bad
A single-camera sensor at the back
Slow charging
Battery life could have been better
Mono speaker leaves much to be desired
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone Air review

Display 6.50-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1260x2736 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Apple iPhone 16e

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Light and compact design
Powerful Apple A18 SoC
Customisable Action Button
Good battery life

Bad
Low light camera performance is below average
Available in just two basic finishes
Large display notch with thick borders
60Hz refresh rate display
Slow wireless and wired charging

Read detailed Apple iPhone 16e review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A18

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, iPhone, Apple

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More