iPhone 17 Air's Limited Battery Capacity Leaked

[MacRumors]

The battery capacity of Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air will be below the 3,000 mAh mark, according to a recent post from Instant Digital, an account with more than 1.4 million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

Thanks to iOS 26's new Adaptive Power Mode, though, the account said that the iPhone 17 Air should achieve full-day battery life.

A previous rumor pegged the iPhone 17 Air's battery capacity at around 2,800 mAh, which would indeed be below the 3,000 mAh mark.

Some of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models were the last with battery capacities at or below the 3,000 mAh mark. Of course, you can only directly compare mAh values when the batteries have the same voltage, with Wh a preferred unit of measurement. iPhone batteries typically do have the same voltage, allowing for mAh comparisons.

Instant Digital has accurately leaked Apple information before, such as the Yellow finish for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2's Titanium Milanese Loop. However, the account does not have a perfect track record.

A few months ago, The Information's Wayne Ma reported that the iPhone 17 Air would have "worse" battery life compared to previous iPhone models, due to the device's rumored ultra-thin 5.5mm design limiting internal space for a battery.

In internal testing, Apple determined that the percentage of users who will be able to use the iPhone 17 Air for a full day without needing to recharge the device throughout the day will be between 60% and 70%, according to that report. For other iPhone models, the report said that metric is apparently between 80% and 90%.

To mitigate this problem, the report said that Apple is planning to release a battery case as an optional accessory for the iPhone 17 Air.

Apple last released battery cases for the iPhone 11 lineup, followed by the since-discontinued MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 models and newer. A battery case both protects an iPhone and provides additional battery life as necessary.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Air's Limited Battery Capacity Leaked

 

[DakotaGuy]

The battery life might be poor, but at least you can cut a stick of butter with it.

 

[jrlcopy]

This is the iPhone 5C thing all over again.

Finally give us a 'somewhat' decent color, but nerf it with something that makes it suck compared to others.

 

[ignatius345]

I'm so rarely away from charging (office, car, etc) that it's frankly quite rare that my phone is below 50% when I go to bed. On days of travel or whatever, I could see it being an issue but then I'd probably not be averse to this rumored charge case. Devil is in the details, but tbh it's not a dealbreaker for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Johnstrass2]

“ the iPhone 17 Air should achieve full-day battery life.“
Why is such a low goal the standard for Apple? Why can’t Apple get us a watch with a 5 day battery or an iPhone with 2-3?

Is it really worth shaving off a few mm ( especially since 99% of phones get a thick protective case )?

 

[Hairball]

So Apple sets out to create an ultra thin phone, but then they realize that the battery life is garbage, so they plan on offering an extra thick battery case, at an extra cost of course.

Wouldn’t it just then make sense to buy the iPhone 17 with the bigger stock battery, which will probably be thinner than the iPhone Air with a battery case?

 

[SactoGuy18]

This is why I'm glad I bought the iPhone 16 Plus with its 4,674 mAh battery.

 

[jz0309]

so, will it have a smaller battery? sure, it's thin.
Most important is what apple will say about expected battery life, then make your decision whether or not that works for you. Meanwhile, stop whining.

 

[HouseLannister]

It's thin enough to carry two in your pocket. Problem solved!

 

[JohnC1959]

The Air will have limited battery, but there's some good news. You don't have to buy it. If you want a new phone you can get one of the others. Meanwhile, those that value light and thin over battery have their new option as well. I personally don't need thin and light but I've learned others do.

 

[jml12286]

It's thin enough to carry two in your pocket. Problem solved!

With optional $299 iPhone 17 AirHinge to create your own 17 AirFold !

 

[Dwalls90]

I'm so rarely away from charging (office, car, etc) that it's frankly quite rare that my phone is below 50% when I go to bed. On days of travel or whatever, I could see it being an issue but then I'd probably not be averse to this rumored charge case. Devil is in the details, but tbh it's not a dealbreaker for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This is a hot take for most, but I agree with you. In the car, in the office, at home - chargers (usually via MagSafe) are widely available. I'm sure there are people that only charge overnight, but I'm not one of those people, and I have the 16 Pro which has great battery life.

 

[QCassidy352]

So Apple sets out to create an ultra thin phone, but then they realize that the battery life is garbage, so they plan on offering an extra thick battery case, at an extra cost of course.

Wouldn’t it just then make sense to buy the iPhone 17 with the bigger stock battery, which will probably be thinner than the iPhone Air with a battery case?

Same thing I was going to say. Users who go the battery case route will probably end up with a phone that’s thicker in total, more expensive, and only has one camera.

 

[JohnC1959]

So Apple sets out to create an ultra thin phone, but then they realize that the battery life is garbage, so they plan on offering an extra thick battery case, at an extra cost of course.

Wouldn’t it just then make sense to buy the iPhone 17 with the bigger stock battery, which will probably be thinner than the iPhone Air with a battery case?

I very much doubt most that buy the Air will be using any case let alone a battery one. They will manage with less battery life. Maybe they don't use their phone heavily (heck, I only use about 30% on most days). Maybe they will charge it more often. They might opt for a battery case just for special days where it's needed. This is just another option and most definitely not for most people.

 

[dominiongamma]

This is why I'm glad I bought the iPhone 16 Plus with its 4,674 mAh battery.

think you meant pro max ;-) but I agree ! Always go for the pro max model if you want the best iPhone battery life for sure

 

[xmarcuswildx]

“ the iPhone 17 Air should achieve full-day battery life.“
Why is such a low goal the standard for Apple? Why can’t Apple get us a watch with a 5 day battery or an iPhone with 2-3?

Is it really worth shaving off a few mm ( especially since 99% of phones get a thick protective case )?

Stop putting cases on your phones and Apple won’t have to keep doing this.

 

[AshesXY]

So Apple sets out to create an ultra thin phone, but then they realize that the battery life is garbage, so they plan on offering an extra thick battery case, at an extra cost of course.

Wouldn’t it just then make sense to buy the iPhone 17 with the bigger stock battery, which will probably be thinner than the iPhone Air with a battery case?

Perhaps the extra battery case if good for days when you know you need more battery (long travel etc) .. the other days you can get by with a slim case.

 

[Awsaim]

I pray every night for a new battery case. I loved the old ones!

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

It's thin enough to carry two in your pocket. Problem solved!

Why else were we given two hands?

 

[Sami13496]

It’s clear that the Air will have shorter battery life compared to the Pro, but that’s one of the trade-offs that comes with its design. In return, you get a thinner and lighter device. The target audience is also different: someone choosing between a standard iPhone, a Pro, and an Air understands these trade-offs and will select the model that best suits their needs.

 

[JohnC1959]

Yeah... I typically get 2 days on my 16PM. But then I don't waste time playing games etc for hours on end.

What people forget is battery life is not only a function of battery capacity. Apple's C1 modem chip used in the 17 Air is more efficient than the Qualcomm modem previously used in iPhones. And the CPU is supposedly built on a later process and likely more power efficient.

I have my MacBook handy so often that it takes up much of the load others might put on their phones. Everyone is different.

 

[ignatius345]

Wouldn’t it just then make sense to buy the iPhone 17 with the bigger stock battery, which will probably be thinner than the iPhone Air with a battery case?

Not necessarily. You're leaving out the fact that for a lot of people who would use a thinner iPhone, they might spend most of their days without a battery case because they don't actually need the capacity. I end almost every day with my 15 Pro at or above 50% charge because I've been driving around in the car (charging it) or at my desk at work (charging it) or at home (charging it occasionally) -- or some combination of the above.

At the same time, I would find value in travelling with minimal bulk in my pocket most days. And on the days when I'm travelling or whatever, I throw on the case or pack a little magsafe battery, which isn't a big deal to throw into my backpack.

 

[ignatius345]

so, will it have a smaller battery? sure, it's thin.
Most important is what apple will say about expected battery life, then make your decision whether or not that works for you. Meanwhile, stop whining.

Didn't you hear? People are being forced to buy this phone against their will.
At least, that's what I assume from all the people complaining about a phone they have no desire to buy.

 

[polaris20]

I don't want a skinny ass phone with "all day battery life". I want a regular phone with two day+ battery life.

 

[rchaser]

“ the iPhone 17 Air should achieve full-day battery life.“
Why is such a low goal the standard for Apple? Why can’t Apple get us a watch with a 5 day battery or an iPhone with 2-3?

Is it really worth shaving off a few mm ( especially since 99% of phones get a thick protective case )?

Because poor battery capacity and battery performance are the one of the primary reasons - if not the primary reason - for upgrading. I pointed this out when iPhone Air rumors surfaced. It’s a stupid gimmick.

Apple will never give you a product with double the battery because it defeats their quarterly guidance for sales. If they do, they will charge you double for it Apple watch