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Apple’s lightweight iPhone Air is underperforming, and the fallout is already reshaping plans across smartphone makers and suppliers. Several Chinese brands have reportedly shelved ultra‑slim designs that were meant to challenge Apple’s compact pitch.
Why rivals are abandoning ultra‑slim models
According to a DigiTimes report, Xiaomi, Oppo and vivo have cancelled projects for ultra‑slim handsets intended to compete directly with the iPhone Air. The move reflects a simple calculation: if demand for the Air is weak, the market for premium slim phones becomes riskier. Margin pressure and uncertain consumer appetite make niche form factors harder to justify.
Supply chain signals back up the caution. Foxconn has reportedly scaled back some iPhone production lines, while Luxshare is said to have stopped iPhone assembly entirely. On top of that, Apple recently saw the iPhone Air’s designer depart and has delayed the device’s successor — all signs of a product that hasn’t met expectations.
Suppliers, competitors and shifting priorities
OEMs and component makers are fast to adapt. Reducing production runs or cancelling projects can prevent inventory pileups and protect margins. For Xiaomi, Oppo and vivo, shelving a few ultra‑thin prototypes frees resources for more reliable segments — camera upgrades, battery life, or midrange models that sell in higher volumes.
- Affected brands: Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo reportedly axed slim‑phone plans.
- Supply chain reaction: Foxconn scaled back, Luxshare halted assembly.
- Apple signals: designer exit and a delayed Air successor.
- Market ripple: Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge also reported to be underperforming, with its successor reportedly cancelled.
What this means for consumers and the market
Consumers may notice fewer ultra‑thin flagship launches in 2025 as manufacturers shift focus. Expect more emphasis on camera systems, battery performance, value features and foldables, which continue to attract investment. The skinny phone — once a status symbol — might be paused while brands chase more dependable demand drivers.
So, will slim phones come back? Possibly. Trends in mobile hardware are cyclical: a future revival could arrive if a standout design or a clearer consumer desire emerges. For now, manufacturers are choosing safer bets over chasing a form factor that hasn’t proven commercially strong.
Source: gsmarena
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