Apple is slated to launch its ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air in September alongside the standard and 'Pro' models, marking a major design milestone. The company is now ramping up its supply chain production as it gets closer to launch. A new report claims that Apple and its supply chain partners have passed the first step of the Engineering Validation Test (EVT) process of the iPhone 17 lineup, which means that production is going smoothly without any technical difficulties.
Apple has completed the first stage of iPhone 17 Air production as it hopes the new design will help revive declining sales
Whenever a product encounters a technical production issue, consumers can expect a possible delay or supply chain shortages, which hurts potential sales. However, in the case of the iPhone 17 Air, the EVT process has been completed, which means that the device has passed the first stage of the product development process for a new product. The EVT is the first step, followed by the Design Validation Test (DVT), the Product Validation Test (PVT), and finally, Mass Production.
If you are not familiar with it, the EVT stage ensures that it is practical to produce a product in its intended form while detecting any issues that Apple or suppliers might encounter. The DVT stage refers to the manufacturing of the product in the same form, followed by the PVT stage, which ensures product quality, yields, timing, costs, and other factors. Lastly, mass production begins at the very end, typically a month before the device is announced to the general public.
The report from DigiTimes also mentions that Apple's iPhone sales are on a consistent decline, as 2024 sales volume has dropped to 218 million units. Apple's supply chain partners “generally estimate conservatively that 2025 iPhone sales will decrease rather than grow, with reductions ranging from single digits up to 10 percent, equating to around 200 million units.” The constant decline in sales would mean trouble for Apple, especially after the import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The company has stockpiled some units of the iPhone 16 lineup, but it was recently reported that customers would find "empty shelves" in the coming months.
It remains to be seen how Apple will price the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, considering the increased cost of production and import taxes. Moreover, we are not sure if the iPhone 17 Air will be a popular model, as it has its setbacks, including a single-lens camera setup. We will share more details on the production progress of the iPhone 17 Air as we move closer to launch. Share your insights with us in the comments below.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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