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iPhone 16e Has Apparently 'Failed' Just Like iPhone Air

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Apple's entry-level iPhone 16e model is selling poorly, just like the iPhone Air, according to an Asia-based leaker.

iPhone 16e Feature
The Weibo user known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that the iPhone 16e is not selling well and the attempt at delivering a popular, low-cost iPhone has "failed." That being said, both models are expected to see successors. The iPhone 17e is expected to debut in the spring of 2026, while the ‌iPhone Air‌ 2 is likely to arrive at a later date owing to a delay. Meanwhile, demand for the iPhone 17 lineup continues to surge, with production orders increasing.

The iPhone 16e was introduced earlier this year, offering the A18 chip, an OLED display, the C1 modem, a 48-megapixel camera, and more, for $599. There have been few reports about its sales performance until now.

On the other hand, the ‌iPhone Air‌ is widely reported to have seen low demand. All production is expected to stop by the end of this month. There were plans for a second-generation ‌iPhone Air‌ that would be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026, but The Information says Apple has decided to delay the fall 2026 launch.

The ‌iPhone 17e‌ is expected to feature the A19 chip and potentially the Dynamic Island. The ‌iPhone Air‌ 2 is rumored to offer an additional rear camera, a larger battery, and a vapor-chamber for cooling. Apple is seemingly hoping that these enhancements will help lift sales.

Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone Air
Tag: Fixed Focus Digital
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral), iPhone Air (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

MacUserFella Avatar
MacUserFella
9 months ago
A budget phone priced too high failed?!
Score: 106 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ginkobiloba Avatar
ginkobiloba
9 months ago

It will keep failing, they are not getting, one of the most important feature for any phone is display size. Instead of larger screen in Air they put smaller one. though, its not small by a mile, but its smaller. that enough to prove that theres something bigger and better. what a let down. Smaller display phones are done, its distant past, its history. so much you do on the phone, that even small increment in display is a big feature.
Not everyone wants to walk around looking like this

iphone 16e failed like iphone air image
Score: 67 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TwoBytes Avatar
TwoBytes
9 months ago
The 16e is too expensive - that's why.
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Seanm87
9 months ago
Can’t wait for the it’s because it’s not a mini comments
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
neuropsychguy
9 months ago
“That being said, both models are expected to see successors.”

Must not be too bad of a “failure” then.

Edit to add in from my other comment and expand a little. We need to be cautious about giving legitimacy to a random commenter on Weibo/X/BlueSky or whatever platform as an authoritative source for determining "failure".

It's not clear what's the definition of failure being used. Is the 16e losing Apple money? Do we know what Apple's goals for the 16e and Air are? Do we know Apple's metrics used to gauge outcomes for a product? Do we know profitability of specific products. If not, labeling something as a failure is just guess based on vastly incomplete data.

Even if Apple stops making a product line doesn't mean it was necessarily a failure. Sometimes products are steps to a different one or opportunities for a company to test a particular market or product features. Again, we need to know the goals and outcome metrics Apple uses to determine success of products.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
and 4096 others like this Avatar
and 4096 others like this
9 months ago
iPhone 16e is a good phone. Price is bad. Should be $499.

Even lack of MagSafe is not that bad. I get it. They cut the costs and you can bring MacSafe back with case. Just the damn price…
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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