The iPhone Air's lukewarm reception is sending ripples through the mobile industry, especially among Chinese manufacturers. I've been following the smartphone market for years, and it's not often you see a single device have such a pronounced effect. The reason? Major players like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo are reportedly rethinking their own super-slim phone projects.

Since its debut, the iPhone Air has faced reports of underwhelming sales. As a result, even Apple's supply chain has felt the pinch. For example, Foxconn has reportedly shut down the iPhone Air production lines. Luxshare also stopped production in late October.

It seems other companies were planning to compete directly with Apple in the ultra-thin category. Xiaomi, I read, had designs for a "true Air model". Also, Vivo wanted to slim down its mid-range S series. However, because of the iPhone Air's market performance, these plans are now on hold. However, I should note that neither Xiaomi nor Vivo has released any official comments about it.

Apple was counting on the iPhone Air's new design to create buzz. It was, after all, the first major iPhone redesign in quite a while. However, the pursuit of a super-thin profile meant making some compromises. I'm talking about a smaller battery and a single rear camera, while maintaining a premium price. Starting at $999, it's pricier for what many see as prioritizing looks over functionality. When you consider it's only $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro, which has a triple-lens camera and way better battery life, it's easy to see why consumers might be hesitant.

This tepid response has supposedly sent Apple back to the drawing board. There is information going around that Apple has postponed the second-generation iPhone Air. The company wants to redesign the device to potentially add a second camera and improve battery life. If you ask me, it's a smart move. Consumers are often willing to sacrifice a bit of thinness for better performance and features.

It's not just Apple, either. Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, the Korean company's own ultra-thin offering, is facing a similar fate. Samsung has cancelled the Galaxy S26 Edge and halted the production of the Galaxy S25 Edge, again due to lackluster sales.