كان iPhone Air The talk of the town this year, the iPhone Air was presented by Apple as its boldest redesign in years and the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever. With impressive features and specifications, it seemed undoubtedly aimed at users seeking a premium phone with a distinctive design. However, while the iPhone Air was expected to be the star of the new generation, a recent report has completely reversed the picture, revealing an unexpected surprise: this particular model is the fastest-deprecating iPhone after purchase among all Apple phones. In the following lines, we delve into the real reasons behind the iPhone Air losing half its value in just 10 weeks, despite all its elegance and technology.
iPhone Air
Apple has introduced its ultra-thin smartphone, powered by the A19 Pro processor and featuring a titanium body and Ceramic Shield 2 glass—the same materials used in its more expensive Pro models. It also boasts a slightly larger screen than the standard iPhone 17 and delivers powerful performance, running demanding apps and games smoothly. Thus, at first glance, the phone offers an appealing combination of modern design, lightweight form factor, and performance.
Strong specifications with shocking compromises
Despite its build quality, the iPhone Air faced significant criticism. It features only one rear camera, a limited battery, and reports of overheating. Furthermore, it relies on a single speaker at the top instead of the dual-speaker system found in other models. It also lacks the ability to send photos or videos to an external display like a TV or computer monitor via cable, a feature users have come to expect for years. These compromises are rapidly impacting user confidence.
A price gap confuses buyers
Price starts iPhone Air Starting at $999, it's $200 more than the standard iPhone 17 and only $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro. This close price makes the comparison unfair, as the other versions offer a more powerful camera, better sound, and more features. This has led many to consider the iPhone Air more of a slim phone than a truly complete device.
Rapid decline in value
A recent report from SellCell, a website specializing in comparing the sale and trade-in prices of smartphones and electronic devices, confirms that the iPhone Air is the fastest-depreciating Apple phone in history. The phone lost 47.7% of its value in just 10 weeks, a decline nearly 10% greater than other iPhone 17 models, whose prices stabilized after the tenth week, while the ultra-thin phone continued to fall in value. This means that users who rely on reselling their phones annually may lose significantly more than they anticipated.
What does this mean for users?
If you're evaluating a phone based on its long-term cost of ownership, the iPhone Air could be a real gamble. Its weak resale value means the final cost of ownership will be higher than it appears at the time of purchase. However, Apple isn't expected to abandon this model, and the second generation will likely come with more powerful features to address these shortcomings.
Ultimately, with the iPhone Air, Apple presented a bold vision of a slim, premium phone, but so far, it hasn't succeeded in convincing users that this thinness is worth the price. As its price continues to drop rapidly, Apple faces a real test: either improve the price-to-performance ratio or risk its ultra-slim phone becoming a short-lived experiment in its product portfolio.
Would you consider buying an iPhone Air despite its depreciating resale value? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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