Apple and Samsung Adjust smartphone Plans Amidst Soft Sales of Slim Models
Both Apple and Samsung are responding to weaker-than-expected demand for their recently released, ultra-thin smartphones, according to reports from The Elec and MacRumors. apple is planning a production cut for the iPhone Air, while Samsung has cancelled progress of the Galaxy S26 Edge.
Samsung reportedly halted work on the S26 Edge this week, shifting internal focus to a more traditional “Plus“ model after determining consumer interest in ultra-slim flagships was lower than anticipated. The company will now focus on releasing a Galaxy S26 Plus in 2026, returning to its established base, Plus, and Ultra model structure. Despite the cancellation, the S26 Edge’s development was already finished.Development of the S26 Plus is slated to begin before the end of the third quarter of 2025. Internal reaction to the lineup change has been described as “chaotic” and “embarrassed,” with Samsung planning to sell through existing Galaxy S25 edge inventory and discontinue further production.
Apple’s iPhone 17 series is experiencing mixed results. A Japanese investment banking and securities firm reports that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are exceeding sales figures from the same period last year, and the standard iPhone 17 is performing substantially better than the iPhone 16. However,the iPhone Air is underperforming,leading Apple to plan a production reduction of one million units this year. To compensate, Apple intends to increase production of other iPhone 17 models by two million units. The overall production forecast for the iPhone 17 series has been raised from 88 million to 94 million units for early 2026.
