Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup shows a clear preference for premium devices, with the Pro and Pro Max models accounting for 86.1% of users measured in a recent Ookla Speedtest analysis. However, the slim iPhone Air – replacing the discontinued iPhone 16 Plus – has tripled its uptake, indicating a successful shift towards a more design-focused baseline model.
Air’s Rising Popularity: Design Over Size
The iPhone Air now represents 6.8% of iPhone 17 series users running Speedtests, a significant jump from the 2.9% share held by the iPhone 16 Plus in the previous generation. This suggests consumers are increasingly drawn to the Air’s thinner profile, despite its slightly smaller 6.5-inch display compared to the 6.7-inch Plus model it replaced.
This shift came at a cost: usage of the standard iPhone 17 Pro dipped from 34.9% to 30.6% year-over-year. The iPhone 17 Pro Max remains dominant at 55.5%, only slightly down from the previous year. Overall, the trend shows a strong preference for Apple’s pricier, feature-rich models.
Air Outperforms Samsung in Key Markets
Ookla’s data reveals that more Speedtest users globally choose the iPhone Air over the Galaxy S25 Edge. In the US, the iPhone Air leads by a 3-to-1 margin. Even in Samsung-loyal countries like South Korea, the Air maintains an edge, though less pronounced. It’s important to note that these figures reflect Speedtest users only, not overall sales figures.
Regional Variations: Design vs. Affordability
The iPhone Air’s popularity varies by region. South Korea (11.2%), Japan (8.9%), Sweden (8.6%), and Singapore (8.4%) report higher Air adoption rates, likely due to a stronger emphasis on design over top-tier features like advanced camera systems or extended battery life.
Conversely, in price-sensitive markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia, Air adoption remains below 6%, as consumers prioritize affordability and often purchase phones outright rather than through installment plans common in the US and Europe.
Apple Modems Approach Parity with Qualcomm
Ookla’s analysis also touches on Apple’s in-house modem development. While the iPhone 17 series continues to use Qualcomm’s X80 modem, the newer C1X modem in the iPhone 17E has reached parity with Qualcomm in download speeds. This marks a significant milestone for Apple’s silicon team, suggesting future iPhones could fully transition to in-house modems – potentially as early as the iPhone 18 series.
This advancement is particularly important given the growing reliance on constant connectivity for AI-driven features and cloud-based services. The improved modem performance may also extend to Apple’s MacBooks, enabling faster and more reliable mobile connections beyond Wi-Fi.
Apple’s modem development has reached a critical maturity point, positioning the company to compete effectively with Qualcomm and MediaTek in future mobile connectivity standards.
The data underscores Apple’s strategy of balancing premium offerings with design-driven alternatives, while simultaneously investing in key components like modems to reduce reliance on external suppliers.
