Apple positioned the iPhone 16e as an affordable choice for users who wanted a modern iPhone without paying flagship prices. The plan was to offer a fresh design, a new chip, and a lower price to attract Android switchers. Yet early signs show that the phone is not connecting with buyers.
A China-based leaker named Fixed Focus Digital said the iPhone 16e is selling poorly. They claim Apple’s push to create a popular low-cost model failed to gain traction. The same leaker also linked this trend to the iPhone Air, which faced weak demand and reached the end of its production run this month.
Reports say Apple still hopes to recover with updated models. The iPhone 17e is expected to arrive in spring 2026. The next iPhone Air, which was originally set to launch in fall 2026, is now delayed. Apple seems to believe that new hardware changes will help these follow-ups perform better.
Apple Plans Successors Despite Slow Sales
Apple released the iPhone 16e earlier this year for $599. It came with the A18 chip, an OLED display, the C1 modem, and a 48 megapixel camera. Until now, no major reports have highlighted how well it sold. Fixed Focus Digital now says demand is weak but claims Apple still plans to continue the 17e as scheduled.
The leaker also says the iPhone Air failed to gain attention. Production first slowed and has now stopped entirely. Apple paused work on the current model as stock piles up. The company originally planned an updated iPhone Air 2 for late 2026. That model is rumored to feature two rear cameras instead of one, a bigger battery, and improved cooling.
Why These Models Missed Expectations
The iPhone 16e replaced the long-running iPhone SE series. Apple hoped an annual update cycle and modern hardware would draw in users who avoided the older SE design. Early reactions suggested interest, but sales tell a different story. The 16e’s price gap with the main iPhone lineup was not large enough to push buyers toward it.
The iPhone Air faced a different problem. It looked sleek but shipped with only one rear camera. That trade-off set it apart from other mid-range options and reduced its appeal. Fixed Focus Digital says Apple is now trying to fix those shortcomings with the next version.
What Happens Next
Apple still expects the iPhone 17 lineup to perform well. Production orders for next year’s main models are rising. The company hopes the updated 17e and the revised iPhone Air 2 will find a stronger audience. Better cameras, new chips, and improved cooling appear to be part of that plan.
Apple rarely comments on early sales. For now, the most affordable iPhones are missing their targets. The company will try again next year, aiming to correct mistakes and rebuild interest in the lower tier of the iPhone family.
