Apple recently cleared the first Engineering Validation Test for its iPhone 17 lineup, showing smooth production without technical problems. The iPhone 17 Air, an ultra-thin model set to launch in September with standard and Pro versions, passed this first step of product development. This early success means the company might avoid delays or supply shortages that could hurt sales.
Production follows a four-stage process: Engineering Validation Test first, Design Validation Test second, Product Validation Test third, and Mass Production last. The first stage checks whether making the product as designed is practical and spots possible issues. Sales concerns loom as iPhone numbers fell to 218 million units in 2024, with supply partners expecting another drop of up to 10 percent next year.
New import tariffs from the Trump administration add extra pressure for Apple, despite some stockpiled iPhone 16 units. Customers may face empty store shelves soon as supplies run low. Questions remain about how Apple will price the new phones, given higher production costs and import taxes. The iPhone 17 Air might struggle with buyers because it features just a single-lens camera.
Production follows a four-stage process: Engineering Validation Test first, Design Validation Test second, Product Validation Test third, and Mass Production last. The first stage checks whether making the product as designed is practical and spots possible issues. Sales concerns loom as iPhone numbers fell to 218 million units in 2024, with supply partners expecting another drop of up to 10 percent next year.
New import tariffs from the Trump administration add extra pressure for Apple, despite some stockpiled iPhone 16 units. Customers may face empty store shelves soon as supplies run low. Questions remain about how Apple will price the new phones, given higher production costs and import taxes. The iPhone 17 Air might struggle with buyers because it features just a single-lens camera.
