May 20, 2025, 12:52 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Samsung set the precedent with the Galaxy S25 Edge, and Apple might follow suit: the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be one of the thinnest smartphones on the market. However, like the Edge, the Air is likely to compromise on battery life.
New information has emerged about the battery capacity of the iPhone 17 Air, which is slated for release in September 2025. If the rumors are true, the battery life of the ultra-thin smartphone might be disappointing.
Details on the iPhone 17 Air’s Size and Battery Capacity
Leaker “yeux1122” has published details about the 17 Air on the South Korean blog platform Naver. The specifications reportedly come from a prototype confirmed for mass production. Weighing in at 145 grams, the smartphone is expected to be significantly lighter than the already lightweight Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (163 grams). The leaker also comments on the device’s thickness, stating it measures just 5.5 millimeters at its thinnest point. This would make it 0.3 millimeters thinner than the S25 Edge, though it doesn’t surpass Apple’s thinnest device to date, the iPad Pro 2024, which holds the record at 5.3 millimeters.
Read also: iPhone 17 Air expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever
The leak also reveals the iPhone 17 Air’s battery capacity for the first time. The smartphone is said to feature a 2800 milliamp-hour (mAh) battery. For comparison, the iPhone 12 launched in 2020 with a 2815 mAh capacity. However, the Air, with its 6.6-inch display, is likely to consume significantly more power. The iPhone 16 Plus, which is similarly sized at 6.7 inches, offers considerably more power reserves with a 4674 mAh battery.
Shorter Battery Life Than Other iPhones?
Apparently, the battery capacity in the iPhone 17 Air’s production prototype is not yet final. According to the leak, the “actual capacity” could be 15 to 20 percent higher if Apple opts for high-energy-density battery cells. Other manufacturers, such as Honor, are already using so-called silicon-carbon batteries, which can be significantly thinner than conventional lithium cells. Industry insider Ming-Chi Kuo reported back in March that similar battery technology might also be used for the iPhone 17 Air.
A report from “The Information” indicates that Apple’s internal tests have shown that 60 to 70 percent of users can use the iPhone 17 Air for an entire day without needing to recharge. In contrast, this figure is between 80 and 90 percent for conventional iPhones. According to the report, Apple is planning an optional battery case that can be attached to the smartphone like a protective cover. Apple last released a Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 11 in 2019.