iPhone 17 Thin, iPhone 17 Air. Something has been stirring in Apple rumors in recent weeks, and it’s no surprise. According to Gurman, Apple is preparing an iPhone with a much more attractive design than its siblings.

“The sales pitch would probably go something like this: If you want something flashier than a regular iPhone but don’t need the performance, screen size, or cameras of a Pro model, you can get something that has much better looks without giving up the specs of a regular iPhone.”

This is a move that goes much further. For years, Apple has struggled to figure out how to sell a second model in its “non-Pro” lineup. The iPhone mini, despite being the cheapest, failed to sell; users didn’t want small phones. The Plus model is in a similar situation.

The curse of the second model. Since the launch of the iPhone 12, Apple has expanded its family to four members (excluding SE models). iPhone 1x, iPhone 1x (with the last name), iPhone 1x Pro and iPhone 1x Pro Max. The latter model has not been able to achieve good numbers from generation to generation.

Apple said goodbye to the mini after a significant sales failure. Although there are those who like small mobile phones, they are in the minority. So much so that Apple completely changed its strategy. The mini model was replaced by the Plus model. A standard iPhone, but with a larger screen.

The pluses are not going away eitherThe iPhone 15 Plus and 14 Plus were not sold very poorly. In fact, they were the eighth and seventh best-selling phones worldwide in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Interestingly, though, these are not the best numbers.

The best-selling mobile phone in the world in the first quarter of 2024 was the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This was followed by the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Apple General Assembly. Even the iPhone 14 is in fourth place. What about the iPhone 15 Plus? This is also in eighth place.

Not a bad position, but it is far from the top 3, where its three siblings are, and it makes it clear that the Plus is the least popular model. Something similar happened last year. At the top were the iPhone 14, 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro. iPhone 14 Plus? In seventh place.

Although it is cheaper than the Pro model (not by much), data suggests that users prefer the remaining models.

A crash plan: launch a completely different phone. A smaller iPhone didn’t work. A bigger iPhone didn’t work. What’s the plan now? Bet on the design. The iPhone 17 Air will probably be the thinnest iPhone in the family as far as we know, and will share the same specs as the iPhone 17, making it a much more attractive model in terms of design.

Although these are the data we have based on the latest rumors, it seems pretty clear that you won’t be able to take over the market with a fake iPhone 17. The key will be what else the iPhone 17 Air has to offer compared to the standard model to aim to be a best seller.

Apple needs more support for iPhoneThe iPhone is still the world’s best-selling device, but Apple is about to lose second place as a mobile phone manufacturer.

Xiaomi is closer than ever to overtaking both Samsung and Apple in global sales. Apple grew by 1.5% in the second quarter of 2024, while Samsung grew by 0.7%. Meanwhile, Xiaomi grew by 27.4%. If this growth is sustainable, Xiaomi will end the year as the leading smartphone maker despite the difference in total units shipped.

Apple continues to make a lot of money, but iPhone sales revenues are stagnant. Services and the iPad are two lifesavers whenever Apple delivers results, but reviving iPhone sales is crucial for the company.

The iPhone 17 Air is presented as a potential lifesaver, and it raises as much doubt as hope. Will it have the same camera system as the iPhone 17? Will being thinner negatively affect your battery? Will the change in design be so noticeable that it’s still worth betting on even with a cover? We hope to be able to answer these questions soon.

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