Apple's ongoing supply chain calibrations show no signs of slowing down, with the iPhone Air and the M5 Vision Pro becoming the Cupertino giant's latest products to undergo a meaningful fine-tuning.
Apple cuts the production of iPhone Air as a key survey finds "virtually no demand"
The KeyBanc Capital Market survey released earlier today found "virtually no demand for iPhone Air, and limited willingness to pay for a foldable."
The survey also found healthy but measured demand for the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup, with the sales mix continuing to shift towards the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.
Meanwhile, Nikkei Asia is now reporting that Apple is curtailing the production cadence of the iPhone Air, while boosting the production orders for the other models in the iPhone 17 lineup. The publication did not give any indication as to the magnitude of these cuts.
Meanwhile, as we reported earlier, Apple has apparently delayed its $3,900 foldable iPad to at least 2029 as it continues to contend with engineering issues related to the device's weight, as well as its 18-inch display panels, described by sources as a "giant foldable screen."
Nonetheless, Apple continues to collaborate with Samsung Display to resolve the engineering challenges associated with creating reliable foldable panels that feature a nearly invisible crease.
This comes as Apple's first foldable iPhone is also reportedly experiencing delays, marred by complexities around its hinge mechanism and foldable panels.
Mizuho analysts believe that Apple has scaled back its initial production cadence for the corresponding display panels to just 9 million units from a previous target of around 13 million units.
Apple moves the production of M5 Vision Pro to Vietnam
Elsewhere, packaging on the new M5 Vision Pro now indicates that it is being assembled in Vietnam instead of China.
As Apple's lowest-volume product, the M5 Vision Pro was already primed for such a calibration.
This comes as Apple's upcoming home devices - which include a HomePod with a 7-inch screen, indoor security cameras, and a tabletop AI robot - are also expected to be manufactured in BYD's Vietnam production facilities.
Do note that Apple's pivot to Vietnam is an apparent bid to insulate itself from geopolitical shocks, especially as Vietnam has largely de-risked itself by signing on to a comprehensive trade deal with the Trump administration.
Update: TF Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo Chimes In
The famous Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also chimed in, claiming that most Apple iPhone Air suppliers are expected to slash capacity for the model by over 80 percent.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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