Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone 16 series handsets next month. Reports suggest that the new models will primarily feature internal hardware upgrades, with screen sizes and designs remaining similar to the current iPhone 15 series.
However, significant changes are anticipated in 2025. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple may discontinue the iPhone Plus variant and replace it with a slimmer, more powerful device.
Sales figures reveal that the iPhone Plus model has under performed. Both the iPhone 14 Plus, which replaced the iPhone 13 mini in 2022, and the current iPhone 15 Plus, have sold fewer units compared to other models. The narrow price difference between the Plus and Pro variants has led many customers to choose the Pro instead.
In response, Apple is reportedly planning to introduce an ‘Air’ variant in 2025, inspired by its Mac lineup. Similar to how the MacBook Air bridges the gap between the regular MacBook and the MacBook Pro, this slim iPhone model would sit between the standard iPhone 17 and the 17 Pro.
Touted to be the thinnest iPhone yet, the potential ‘iPhone Air’ could mirror the design philosophy of the iPad Pro (M4), which Apple launched earlier this year as the slimmest tablet on the market at just 5.1mm thick.
While it’s unclear if the device will officially be called ‘iPhone Air,’ the name carries a certain appeal. Apple already offers Air models in its MacBook and iPad lines, and an iPhone Air could resonate with younger consumers, potentially outselling the other iPhone variants.
This strategic move may help Apple boost its iPhone sales, which have seen a decline globally in recent quarters, with the exception of markets in Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America.
In related news, Google is preparing to launch its Pixel 9 series on August 13. The lineup is expected to include four variants: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, along with the Pixel Watch 3.