iPhone 17 Air’s biggest weakness may be its battery, here’s how
Apple is expected to launch a new slimmer Air model with the iPhone 17 lineup in September. The recent leaks for this model suggest that the ultra-thin design may come with battery compromises. The latest rumour claims that the iPhone 17 Air’s battery capacity may not exceed 3000mAh. Earlier this year, a leaker named yeux1122 initially claimed the iPhone 17 Air’s battery would be 2800mAh. A figure which is lower than some expectations. Now, this battery capacity range seems to be corroborated by another tipster named Instant Digital. The leaker recently took to Chinese social media site Weibo to claim that the battery of iPhone 17 Air may “not exceed 3000mAh.” It’s important to note that even if the battery capacity reaches closer to 3000mAh, it would still be considerably less than what the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to offer.
How iPhone Air 17’s battery may compare to existing and upcoming models
To compare, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumoured to feature a battery capacity of around 5000mAh. Last year’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro had batteries closer to 3500mAh; however, the iPhone 17 Air will need more power to support its larger display. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Plus packs a bigger 4,674mAh battery.
How Apple may solve the potential battery ‘problem’ in iPhone 17 Air
To address potential battery concerns, Apple seems to have a couple of tricks up its sleeve for the iPhone 17 Air. Firstly, iOS 26 is introducing a new Adaptive Power mode, which is aimed at extending battery life. Secondly, Apple is said to be working on a new battery case accessory for users who want extra backup. Still, for many considering the iPhone 17 Air, battery life could remain a major concern if the rumours are to be true. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to debut in four colours, including a light Lavender, a soft Desert Titanium, and a standout Space Black variant. It may be the first non-Pro iPhone to feature a 120Hz display, though without variable refresh rate to save battery. The slimmer iPhone may be powered by the A19 chip and run iOS 26 out-of-the-box.
