Home / Technology / iPhone Air's Thin Design Wins Fans, But Pro Models Dominate
iPhone Air's Thin Design Wins Fans, But Pro Models Dominate
24 Mar
Summary
- iPhone Air uptake tripled, signaling design appeal over previous model.
- Pro models still account for 86% of sampled iPhone 17 series phones.
- iPhone Air outperforms Galaxy S25 Edge in US and globally.
Apple's introduction of the super-thin iPhone Air, replacing the iPhone 16 Plus, has seen a notable increase in adoption. In the fourth quarter of last year, 6.8% of iPhone 17 series users sampled by Ookla ran the iPhone Air, a significant jump from the 2.9% who used its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Plus. This suggests Apple's focus on design has resonated with consumers.
Despite the iPhone Air's growing appeal, the pricier Pro models continue to lead the sales figures. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro models combined accounted for 86.1% of all sampled iPhone 17 series phones. The iPhone Air is proving more popular globally than Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, with a 3-to-1 lead in the US.
However, adoption rates for the iPhone Air vary internationally. South Korea led with 11.2% of iPhone 17 series users opting for the slim model, followed by Japan, Sweden, and Singapore. In contrast, price-sensitive markets like Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia showed under 6% adoption. Apple's in-house modem development is also progressing, with the iPhone 17E featuring an updated C1X modem that matches Qualcomm's X80 speeds and significantly improves upon its predecessor.
The C1X modem shows critical maturity, potentially paving the way for Apple modems in future devices, including MacBooks. This advancement could redefine expectations for portable computing by enabling broader network connectivity beyond Wi-Fi, supporting future applications like cloud-based AI and advanced agents.
