Apple appears to be navigating a complex period with its latest hardware, facing a potential commercial failure with one new product while simultaneously expanding the ecosystem of its most high-end device.

Just two months after launch, the new ultra-thin iPhone Air is reportedly facing severe production cuts amid weak sales. In contrast, the company has just begun selling Sony’s PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, offering a long-requested precision accessory for its Vision Pro headset.

iPhone Air Struggles to Find Buyers

Industry sources suggest the iPhone Air is shaping up to be a significant commercial misstep. Unlike other iPhone 17 models, which are showing delivery delays of several days to weeks, the Air remains fully in stock. In some cases, it is already being offered at a discount.

This apparent lack of consumer interest has reportedly prompted Apple to instruct its partners to drastically scale back production. The failure of the new device has also cast doubt on its successor, with a potential delay or outright cancellation of the iPhone Air 2 now rumoured.

Design Trumps Functionality

The iPhone Air certainly stands out in the new iPhone 17 family with its 5.5mm thinness and featherlight weight. However, achieving this “very sexy” design required significant compromises.

To accommodate the slim profile, Apple’s engineers had to fit components into a much-reduced internal space, directly impacting the battery. Battery life remains a primary concern for smartphone buyers, and launching a €1,229 model with a technically less robust battery than the standard €969 iPhone 17 was a considerable gamble.

The Cost of Compromise

While our own tests found the iPhone Air can last a (short) day, making it passable for moderate users, its energy performance is not its strong suit. The iPhone 17 Pro, which costs only €100 more, offers a far more advantageous battery life.

The battery isn’t the only sacrifice. The Air features only a single rear camera, severely limiting its photographic versatility. Furthermore, the model is not compatible with traditional nano-SIM cards, forcing customers to use eSIM. Apple explained this move by claiming the removal of the SIM tray freed up space for the battery, an explanation that now seems insufficient.

Apple’s Mid-Range Muddle

This situation mirrors past struggles for the company. The iPhone Air replaced the iPhone Plus, which itself had replaced the iPhone mini three years ago. Apple seems to find it exceptionally difficult to convince buyers in the mid-range, as the classic and Pro models inevitably remain the most popular choices.

It is debatable whether an “iPhone 17 Plus” might have performed better, especially if it had inherited the 120Hz screen from the best-selling standard iPhone 17. After all, its predecessor, the Plus, was the endurance champion of last year’s lineup.

According to The Information, sales are so poor that one factory has allegedly ceased manufacturing the Air entirely, favouring models that actually sell. Should the model be discontinued, sources speculate Apple may recycle the chassis, perhaps as one half of its rumoured foldable iPhone expected next spring.

A High-End Pivot for Vision Pro

While Apple wrestles with its mid-range phone strategy, it is simultaneously expanding its most premium ecosystem. The company has started selling Sony’s PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers as a new accessory for the Apple Vision Pro.

This launch is notable, as it is the first time the PSVR2 controllers have been sold separately from Sony’s own headset, and they are being offered exclusively by Apple.

Precision Input at a Price

The package is priced at $249.95 and includes the left and right controllers, a charging dock, and all necessary cables and adapters. They are available online now and will appear in US Apple Stores from Monday, 17 November.

Since the Vision Pro’s launch last year, users have called for more precise input methods beyond hand-tracking. The Sense controllers deliver this, offering 6DoF motion tracking, tactile finger detection, and haptic feedback. For owners of either the original Vision Pro or the new M5-equipped model, the wait for a high-precision input solution is over—provided they are running visionOS 26.