The iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to have a battery capacity of around 2800 mAh, which is seriously low for 2025, and notably smaller than the iPhone 16’s 3651mAh cell.
That’s according to the popular Weibo account Instant Digital (via MacRumors), which has over 1.4 million followers.
That might seem like a small capacity, however it does fall in line with previous reports that have suggested the iPhone 17 Air will have worse battery life than previous models because it’s so ultra-thin at just 5.5mm and therefore has less internal space for the battery.
Could iOS 26 help?
The account goes on to say that the iPhone 17 Air will still achieve a full day of battery life thanks to the new iOS 26 Adaptive Power Mode.
Having to rely on software tweaks to get through a day is a worrying sign for the phone, although if it does work as expected without too many sacrifices to general performance, then it could make up for the small cell.
A battery case is not the answer
In another way of possibly avoiding disappointing endurance, Apple has been rumoured to be planning a battery case as an optional accessory for the iPhone 17 Air. Apple released a MagSafe battery pack a few years ago that utilised the magnetic tech to attach to the back, and it has also previously released battery cases that added extra juice and protection.
Having to rely on a case to see extended endurance is worrying. But the biggest issue here is that with the main selling point of the Air being its thin dimensions and light weight, adding even a well-designed battery case will no doubt render those benefits pointless. I might as well just get the standard iPhone 17 model.
Going all in on thin
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumours of the iPhone 17 Air coming with a battery of this size. Online tipster Yeux1122 (via @Jukanlosreve) has previously said as much in a post on X.
The message stated the phone would weigh 145g and have a thickness of just 5.5mm. The leaker does go on to say that some higher-density tech might help alleviate some of the issues arising from a small battery.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to launch in mid-September and will replace the existing ‘Plus’ model in Apple’s line-up. Samsung is also expected to get rid of its ‘Plus’ model when the launch of the Galaxy S26 series rolls around, with an updated version of the Edge expected to take its place.
Opinion
Is having a phone that’s dramatically thin worth the possibility of having a dead device come the evening? I’m not sure it is. Apple will need to do a good job selling the merits of the Air if the battery life is limited.
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