So, it looks like Apple's attempt to make a splash with a more budget-friendly iPhone, the iPhone 16e, hasn't exactly gone as planned. According to a source in Asia, it's not flying off the shelves. It's a bit of a bummer, especially since Apple was aiming for a hit with this lower-cost option.

I remember when the iPhone Air was released; many people I knew were so excited about it. However, I should confess I never saw one person with that phone, even though it seemed like a great piece of technology. Similarly, it seems the iPhone 16e is sharing a similar destiny, not reaching the numbers that were expected.

Interestingly, even with these models seemingly underperforming, Apple isn't giving up. They're already working on successors. The iPhone 17e is slated for a spring 2026 release, while the iPhone Air 2 might take a bit longer to arrive due to some delays.

What's interesting is that while some models struggle, others are thriving. Demand for the iPhone 17 lineup is apparently going strong, leading to increased production orders. It makes you wonder what makes one model a hit and another, not so much.

The iPhone 16e, packed with the A18 chip, an OLED display, and a 48-megapixel camera, seemed like a solid deal for $599. While concrete reports about its sales performance have been scarce until now, I can see why some people would have been hesitant to spend the money on this, given the other options in the market. However, I think Apple is doing a great job, they have definitely improved the performance on several other phone models.

On the flip side, the iPhone Air has had widely reported low demand, with production expected to halt by the end of the month. A second-generation iPhone Air was in the works, supposedly launching alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026. But that's been pushed back. While I was never a big fan, I feel sad for the users that liked it. It's a shame when something you enjoy gets discontinued.

What to expect in the future?

So, what can we expect from the future? The iPhone 17e is rumored to feature the A19 chip and potentially the Dynamic Island, which I'm really looking forward to seeing. The iPhone Air 2 is said to come with an additional rear camera, a bigger battery, and a vapor-chamber for cooling. I think this could be a really interesting addition to the phone.

It seems Apple is hoping that these upgrades will turn the tide and boost sales. Only time will tell if these enhancements are enough to make these models a success.