Apple is facing fresh challenges as the iPhone Air, the company’s ultra-light smartphone introduced earlier this year, struggles to gain traction in key global markets. Despite heavy marketing, distributors in China and the United States report underwhelming sales, with many consumers saying the device lacks meaningful upgrades for its premium price.

A Shanghai-based distributor told Tech Daily China that the iPhone Air was designed to deliver flagship-level power in a lighter, more portable form. However, users have raised concerns about battery life and camera performance, two areas where the device falls short of expectations.

As demand weakens, Apple is now reportedly delaying the launch of the iPhone Air 2. Originally expected in early 2026, the release may slip to late 2026 or even early 2027, according to sources within Apple’s Chinese manufacturing ecosystem.

The delay appears linked to internal design revisions prompted by customer feedback. Leaked prototype images on China’s social media platform Weibo show a redesigned dual-camera setup, replacing the single-lens system on the original model. The new configuration is expected to improve portrait mode, low-light photography, and overall imaging quality—features critics felt were missing in the first generation.

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Apple has not publicly addressed the leaks or the potential delay. However, insiders say the company wants extra time to refine the device’s performance before committing to a launch timeline.

Reports suggest Apple may reveal more about its 2026 product roadmap early next year, including updated details on the postponed iPhone Air 2.