iPhone Air Explodes in the Market! More Popular than the Plus Version, Here's the Reason

IPhone Air has the potential to become a new "sweet spot" for users (photo: x @mio_lifestyle)

JAKARTA - The popularity of the iPhone Air continues to climb and is beginning to change Apple's internal competition map. The latest report shows that this model is much more in demand than the Plus series, which is now abandoned.

Data from Ookla revealed that the iPhone Air managed to grab a usage share of around 6.8 percent in the initial phase of its launch. This figure is almost double compared to the iPhone 16 Plus which only recorded less than 3 percent in the same period.

Although it is still the smallest model in the iPhone 17 line, this surge indicates a change in consumer tastes that are beginning to lean towards new designs that are thinner and lighter.

C1X Modem and Thin Design as Main Magnet

The success of the iPhone Air is not only about appearance. Apple equips this device with a new C1X modem that brings significant improvements to 5G network performance.

In Speedtest data-based testing, this modem is able to deliver download speeds that are close to Qualcomm's premium modem used in the Pro variant. Although the upload speed is still a little behind, the overall performance is considered quite solid for everyday use.

The effect is immediately felt in the market. The iPhone Air not only attracts new users, but also "erases" the share of the Pro model which has fallen from around 35 percent to 31 percent. This means that some consumers are starting to switch from expensive devices to more balanced options.

Globally, the performance of the iPhone Air is also striking. In South Korea, its penetration rate reached 11 percent, while in Japan, Sweden, and Singapore, the adoption trend also showed strong growth. Even in the United States, the number of iPhone Air network tests was recorded three times more than its rival, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

This phenomenon underscores that Apple is not just renaming the Plus to Air. They are changing their strategy - and this time, the market is responding quickly.

Amid rumors of the next generation, the future of the Air line looks promising. If this trend continues, the iPhone Air has the potential to become a new "sweet spot" for users who want high performance without having to pay the Pro price