Apple Reportedly Delaying Launch of 5.5-Inch 'iPhone Air' Due to Battery Issues - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Reportedly Delaying Launch of 5.5-Inch 'iPhone Air' Due to Battery Issues

According to Taiwan's Industrial and Commercial Times [Google Translate, via G for Games] Apple's larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 has been delayed and will launch in 2015. The report notes that the company is struggling with finding a sufficient battery that measures 2 mm or less to fit in the device's "very thin" profile.

iphone6

Renderings of iPhone 6 (4.7'') and iPhone 6 (5.7'') based on leaked schematics

The report also notes that Apple suppliers are referring to the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 as the "iPhone Air", which has not been finalized as an official name for the device. If the claims are true, however, an iPhone Air would join Apple's MacBook Air and recently released iPad Air in carrying a similar name and delivering a product with a slim chassis.

Past reports have indicated that Apple's 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will launch first this fall, and have shared similar details about the 5.5-inch version being delayed due to production issues. A report from Reuters last month noted that Apple was having issues with in-cell production technology in the 5.5-inch version's display, with Japan Display, LG Display, and Sharp set to produce screens for the device.

In addition to a larger screen and thinner design, Apple's next-generation iPhone is expected to include a new A8 processor, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and an upgraded camera featuring optical image stabilization. Apple is also said to be negotiating with carriers to increase the price of the iPhone 6 by $100.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple to Release These 15 New Products Later This Year

Friday June 12, 2026 7:45 am PDT by
Apple's annual WWDC developers conference is drawing to a close, but there is still a lot to look forward to in the second half of the year. Apple is expected to release at least 15 more products later this year. Now that the more intelligent and personal version of Siri has finally arrived in beta, a full two years after Apple first previewed it at WWDC 2024, we should begin to see some new ...
iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:29 am PDT by
If you pay for extra iCloud storage on your iPhone, beyond the 5GB included for free, you might receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. First, Apple said there will be daily usage limits for some of the new and enhanced Apple Intelligence features on iOS 27, including image generation. However, the company noted that "increased access" is available with "most" iCloud+ storage ...
Apple Logo Top Half

Have One of These 16 Apple Devices? Software Support Ends This Fall

Saturday June 13, 2026 8:00 am PDT by
Apple will end software support for 16 devices this fall across four product lines, with the Apple Watch seeing the most sweeping cull in the product's history. The full extent of this year's software drops became clear with the announcements of macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, and watchOS 27 at WWDC this week. The one bright spot is that iOS 27 features identical device support to...

Top Rated Comments

159 months ago
Then simply use a bigger battery, the iPhone 5S is already thin enough.

^^^^. Stop making the darned phones so thin and beef up the battery life. An iPhone that you could use moderately for 2-3 days with having to use a charging case would be amazing.
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
159 months ago
Then simply use a bigger battery, the iPhone 5S is already thin enough.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chupa Chupa Avatar
159 months ago
So Apple designed a phone w/o considering the reality of battery technology? This story doesn't seem credible.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
159 months ago
sounds like there was no 5.5 inch iPhone in the first place :rolleyes:
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
159 months ago
A product that hasn't been announced nor has it had a release date announced has been delayed? Interesting...
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oshawapilot Avatar
159 months ago
^^^^. Stop making the darned phones so thin and beef up the battery life. An iPhone that you could use moderately for 2-3 days with having to use a charging case would be amazing.

THIS! ^^^

I don't care how thin it is. Honestly, it makes it awkward to hold when it's too thin. Make it the thickness of the current 4/5 series for all I care, just put a huge honkin battery in it that will actually last an entire day (or gasp, maybe 2!) please!
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)