Apple is currently experiencing an unusual market development for one of its latest smartphones: the iPhone Air, which was launched in September 2025 at a recommended retail price of €1,199, has now dropped in price so much that it is now available in independent stores for less than the standard iPhone 17 model.
Now cheaper than iPhone 17
According to current price comparisons, the 256 GB version of the iPhone Air now only costs € 899.00 *, which corresponds to a price drop of around 25 percent compared to the original RRP. This makes the ultra-thin smartphone even cheaper than the iPhone 17, which started with an RRP of 949 euros. The market price of the standard model has fallen to € 948.00 * and has therefore dropped significantly less.
Why the price is falling so sharply
Market observers see the main reason for the price development in the weak demand for the iPhone Air. Although Apple’s new model is a particularly thin and light device, the smartphone lacks important features such as additional cameras and a larger battery compared to other flagship models. Many customers therefore prefer to buy established iPhones with classic features.
As a result, Apple is said to have already significantly reduced production of the iPhone Air, as many retailers are struggling to get rid of their stock. This is a novelty in the Apple cosmos. After all, similar price corrections for other iPhone variants such as the iPhone 16e (€ 579.00 *) have not been observed to this extent to date.
Technical features vs. demand
But is this even justified or does the price drop of the thinnest iPhone of all time not do justice to the qualities of the smartphone? The iPhone Air impresses with its extremely low height of just 5.6 millimetres and a weight of 165 grams – making it one of the thinnest and lightest smartphones on the market. However, this design also comes with compromises. For example, you have to accept a relatively small 3,149 mAh battery and the lack of a second camera lens. For many, this is not in proportion to the RRP.
Outlook for the smartphone market
The price drop shows how sensitively premium smartphones react to buying restraint and changing consumer preferences. While sales of the iPhone 17 flagship, for example, remain solid and Apple continues to report good quarterly figures, the iPhone Air is officially coming under pressure. In view of this development, industry experts are speculating that Apple could align its portfolio even more closely with demand in future – for example by reducing prices earlier or adjusting the product portfolio if certain models do not perform as expected.
