Iphone air surpasses iphone 16 plus, fueling apple's shift

A surprising data analysis reveals a significant shift in iPhone user preferences, with the debut iPhone Air significantly outperforming the iPhone 16 Plus in key markets, particularly Asia.

Iphone air's ascendancy: a strategic move by apple?

Ookla's latest report, based on speed test data, indicates the iPhone Air captured more than twice the user base of the iPhone 16 Plus during the fourth quarter of 2025. This disparity is particularly pronounced in South Korea and Japan, while the iPhone 16 Plus saw a smaller, more stable audience in regions like Taiwan and Poland. The iPhone Air’s share jumped from 2.9% to 6.8% during the last three months of the year.

While Ookla's data relies on user-initiated speed tests – not official sales figures – the trend is clear. The