iPhone Air Price Cuts Explain Why Samsung Canceled Galaxy S26 Edge

In 2025, Samsung and Apple introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air, respectively, aiming to redefine flagship smartphones with ultra-thin designs. While the devices generated early buzz, that interest failed to translate into sustained demand. Subpar specs and questionable value worked against them. Apple’s recent decision to significantly reduce iPhone Air prices suggests the category is struggling to find an audience.

Apple cuts iPhone Air prices just months after launch

According to multiple reports, Apple has struggled to maintain demand for the iPhone Air globally. Just months after launch, the company began rolling out steep price cuts to stimulate sales, something it rarely does this quickly for a new flagship. In China, the iPhone Air debuted at CNY 7,499 and is now available for around CNY 5,499, a roughly 27% drop. The phone has seen similar price cuts in India and a few other markets as well.

For buyers, these discounts are welcome. For Apple, they’re a red flag. Early and aggressive price cuts usually mean one thing: the product isn’t moving as expected. Samsung faced similar issues with its Galaxy S25 Edge, and that tells you everything about the market demand for slim flagships.

To achieve a thin profile, both companies made big compromises: smaller batteries, fewer cameras, and tighter thermal limits. Yet they priced the devices like a premium flagship, assuming design alone could justify the cost. Of course, they were wrong. Samsung and Apple have discovered consumers don’t want to pay extra just for thinness. They want real value.

This explains why Samsung appears to have pulled the plug on the Galaxy S26 Edge. Rather than pushing out a second-generation device with the same compromises, the company has chosen to step back. That doesn’t mean the Edge idea is dead. Reports suggest Samsung isn’t abandoning slim flagships entirely. It’s shelving them until the trade-offs make sense. It remains to be seen what improvements the next model brings.