Apple Stores See iPhone 16e, iPad Air Shortages as New Models Near - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Stores See iPhone 16e, iPad Air Shortages as New Models Near

Apple's retail inventory of iPhone 16e and iPad Air models has reportedly dwindled to almost nothing as the company inches towards the release of new versions of both devices. They are expected to launch in the coming weeks.

iPhone 17e Feature 1
In a post on X (Twitter), Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman said that stock of iPhone 16e models has "basically dried out," while the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well, based on what his Apple retail contacts are telling him.

Just this past weekend, Gurman reported that the iPhone 17e is set to launch "imminently" with four new features, including the A19 chip, MagSafe connectivity, Apple's new cellular C1X modem chip, and its N1 chip for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Thread connectivity. The device is expected to retain the same $599 starting price as its predecessor.

Gurman also said Apple is planning to launch a new entry-level iPad 12 and a new iPad Air in the near future. Both devices are not expected to feature design changes or major enhancements, and will instead feature new chips. The 12th-generation ‌iPad‌ is set to feature the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence, while the eighth-generation ‌iPad Air‌ will apparently feature the M4 chip.

We'll have all the details of Apple's product launches as soon as they happen, right here on MacRumors, so stay tuned.

Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPhone 17e
Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple to Launch These 15+ New Products Later This Year

Friday March 27, 2026 2:03 pm PDT by
March has been an incredibly busy month for Apple, with the company unveiling more than 10 new products and accessories. We said hello to the MacBook Neo at the start of the month, and we bid farewell to the Mac Pro at the end of it. Nevertheless, there is still a lot more to come this year. Beyond the usual annual updates to iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple's all-new smart home hub is...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Apple Preparing 'Most Significant Overhaul in the iPhone's History'

Sunday March 29, 2026 8:18 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has high expectations for Apple's first foldable iPhone. In his Power On newsletter today, he said the foldable iPhone will be "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history." "iPhone 4, iPhone 6 and iPhone X were clearly a big deal, but this is a whole new design," he said. Like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, the foldable iPhone will reportedly open up like ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....

Top Rated Comments

IceCool Avatar
6 weeks ago
I wonder if they’ll do another week of product launches.

Monday MacBook Air M5, Tuesday iPhone 17e, Wednesday iPad Air, Thursday MacBook Pro… or something like that. Would be kinda cool.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
6 weeks ago
Oh no, could this mean they’re killing the 16e rather than dropping it down $100 in price?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7 weeks ago
MacBook Air also has long delivery times in Denmark
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6 weeks ago
Think all the new products will be launched in early March. Expecting both the MacBook Air and Pro along with 17e and iPad Air. Not expecting to see an event.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spock Avatar
6 weeks ago

Honestly, we're getting to the point where their tablets are a bit too thin and you can't even put them in backpacks with other objects without them bending.
You aren't wrong but the largest iPad Pro is the thinner than the "Air" and that is kind of weird.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gengar Avatar
6 weeks ago

I would be surprised if the iPad Air does not get a full redesign to be thinner and lighter.
Honestly, we're getting to the point where their tablets are a bit too thin and you can't even put them in backpacks with other objects without them bending.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)