iPhone 17 Pro's Metal Battery Allegedly Revealed [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Update — August 2: Majin Bu now says that this battery is actually for the iPhone 17 Pro, instead of the iPhone 17 Air as they originally claimed. There will apparently be two variants, for models with and without a physical SIM card tray.

"Due to a miscommunication with my source, the information I reported yesterday is incorrect," said Majin Bu.

Original story follows.



A leaker known as Majin Bu today shared images of an alleged battery pack for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air model, which is expected to launch in September.

The battery apparently has a metal cover, just like the iPhone 16 Pro's battery. This cover would help to dissipate heat generated by the battery inside the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point.

A source told Majin Bu that the L-shaped battery pack will have a capacity of around 2,900 mAh. That tracks with previous rumors indicating that the iPhone 17 Air's battery capacity will be in the 2,800 mAh to 3,000 mAh range.

The batteries in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use a type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current, from a 9V battery or another power source. Majin Bu expects the iPhone 17 Air's battery will also be removable in this way.

Alleged images of iPhone 17 Air battery via Majin Bu​

Majin Bu has a mixed track record with Apple rumors. They were most recently accurate about iPadOS 26 adding a Mac-like menu bar to iPads.

If the 2,900 mAh figure is accurate, the iPhone 17 Air could have the shortest battery life of any iPhone model since the iPhone 13 series, but the lower capacity could be offset by the A19 chip's improved power efficiency. In addition, iOS 26's new Adaptive Power Mode would help the iPhone 17 Air to achieve at least slightly longer battery life.

Earlier this year, 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 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.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro's Metal Battery Allegedly Revealed [Updated]

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

Customers will be lining up...at the nearest wall socket

 

[k1121j]

I wonder how these newer batteries will age compared to the current ones in use.. i have a 14 Pro and got a replacement 1 year in and I'm already at 82% i don't think i would be ok with worse.

Yes i know depends on use everyone is different I'm speaking for myself.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

assuming that it’s a regular apple battery, it’s slightly more capacity than the iPhone 12.
Not as bad as one might think, certainly a huge step up for anyone coming from an SE or Mini which this phone will be a similar weight to.

 

[Premium1]

Tim Cook when announcing this “We priced it at $999 while limiting the tech inside of it, and we think you are going to love it*”

*As long as you don’t actually use your phone, then buy our $100 battery pack just to make it to lunch time.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Even if the efficiencies for the A19 chip and AI improvements for battery life are good on day 1, batteries age.

I think it’s something customers should really consider before going with that model specifically.

 

[Hajj.david]

Customers will be lining up...at the nearest wall socket

Tim Cook when announcing this “We priced it at $999 while limiting the tech inside of it, and we think you are going to love it*”

*As long as you don’t actually use your phone, then buy our $100 battery pack just to make it to lunch time.

Even if the efficiencies for the A19 chip and AI improvements for battery life are good on day 1, batteries age.

I think it’s something customers should really consider before going with that model specifically.

I can’t speak on behalf of everyone but most people I know are no further than 5 yards from a charger at any given point in their entire day. My wife, myself, and a few of my cousins will absolutely be getting the air because we all detest how heavy and thick phones are getting. I can’t think of the last time my phone actually died died.

 

[vertsix]

Keep in mind that if you buy a new phone with poor battery life, degradation will be even more noticeable and annoying as it gets older.

 

[Arran]

I'd like a thinner iphone, but at least with thicker phones over last few years there's been no need to schlep power banks (more bulk) or keep two devices topped up (more work).

 

[joshwithachance]

All these articles keep touting how the A19 will improve power efficiency, but if anything that just makes the standard and Pro 17-series (especially Max) all the more tempting imo...

BUT I do know many people have frequent access to a charger, so this phone seems to be more so targeted at them.

 

[turbineseaplane]

As a 13 Mini user, I find thinner but with a battery case as an optional accessory to be a good tradeoff for an "Air" product.

I have a couple of them for my 13 Mini and I only use them a couple times per year (at sporting events, which seem to uniquely hammer the battery when signal hunting)

 

[ItsGavinC]

I wonder how these newer batteries will age compared to the current ones in use.. i have a 14 Pro and got a replacement 1 year in and I'm already at 82% i don't think i would be ok with worse.

Yes i know depends on use everyone is different I'm speaking for myself.

Similar. Also a 14 Pro, but I got mine replaced 11 months ago and I'm back down to 84% already. It's terrible.

 

[ThailandToo]

I can’t speak on behalf of everyone but most people I know are no further than 5 yards from a charger at any given point in their entire day. My wife, myself, and a few of my cousins will absolutely be getting the air because we all detest how heavy and thick phones are getting. I can’t think of the last time my phone actually died died.

People that travel or work on the road don’t have that luxury. I really want the Air this year and the Fold next year. I want the Fold this year but going to try the Air out for a year. Can always switch to a Pro Max if I don’t like it this year. And no way I will not love the Fold. Been envious of the Samsung Folds my friend has had for years.

 

[ThailandToo]

As a 13 Mini user, I find thinner but with a battery case as an optional accessory to be a good tradeoff for an "Air" product.

I have a couple of them for my 13 Mini and I only use them a couple times per year (at sporting events, which seem to uniquely hammer the battery when signal hunting)

I don’t use any case, and I think if I have to carry around anything other than the iPhone, it’s a bad system. However, still want to try it. I have used my iPad Pro M4 far more than my iPhone since getting it. So I think the Air will have enough power for me. Sure can’t wait for the Fold!!!

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don’t use any case, and I think if I have to carry around anything other than the iPhone, it’s a bad system.

I understand what you mean.
I only find this compromise acceptable specifically for an "Air" product.

 

[Böhme417]

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%.

This is the most glaring bit of info in the article to me. This is basically an admission that they don’t make any phone with “all-day” battery life.

 

[EugW]

If true, it would be lame that the "budget" 16e would have so much better battery life than the "premium" 17 Air.

The iPhone 16e battery is 4005 mAh.

 

[bjones37]

iphone 26 air. Do people actually think apple is just going to name software after the year and not follow suit with hardware?

 

[EugW]

iphone 26 air. Do people actually think apple is just going to name software after the year and not follow suit with hardware?

Yes, I think that is a distinct possibility.

 

[DTphonehome]

Honestly I’m fine with it. My phone is plugged in in my car to and from work, and I end the day with >50% on my 15 pretty much every day. I can sacrifice some battery life in order to have a slimmer phone.

 

[GIZBUG]

A leaker known as Majin Bu today shared images of an alleged battery pack for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air model, which is expected to launch in September.

The battery apparently has a metal cover, just like the iPhone 16 Pro's battery. This cover would help to dissipate heat generated by the battery inside the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point.

A source told Majin Bu that the L-shaped battery pack will have a capacity of around 2,900 mAh. That tracks with previous rumors indicating that the iPhone 17 Air's battery capacity will be in the 2,800 mAh to 3,000 mAh range.

The batteries in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use a type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current, from a 9V battery or another power source. Majin Bu expects the iPhone 17 Air's battery will also be removable in this way.

Alleged images of iPhone 17 Air battery via Majin Bu​

Majin Bu has a mixed track record with Apple rumors. They were most recently accurate about iPadOS 26 adding a Mac-like menu bar to iPads.

If the 2,900 mAh figure is accurate, the iPhone 17 Air could have the shortest battery life of any iPhone model since the iPhone 13 series, but the lower capacity could be offset by the A19 chip's improved power efficiency. In addition, iOS 26's new Adaptive Power Mode would help the iPhone 17 Air to achieve at least slightly longer battery life.

Earlier this year, 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 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.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Air's Metal Battery With Lower Capacity Allegedly Revealed

“the iPhone 17 Air could have the shortest battery life of any iPhone model “

On top of a premium price? HARD pass! 2025, need better/longer lasting battery……not shorter

 

[blairh]

I’ve lost my initial enthusiasm for this device. I think it’s still a good choice for some people, but the 17 Pro will probably be the same price (otherwise very close) and offer a better screen, speakers, battery life, and camera.

 

[EugW]

“the iPhone 17 Air could have the shortest battery life of any iPhone model “

On top of a premium price? HARD pass! 3025, need better/longer lasting battery……not shorter

GIZBUG's living a century in the future.

 

[minik]

Really not a concern to me if I ended up with the 17 Air as I hardly ever ran out of battery.

 

[Moreplease]

As a 13 mini user – the 13 being the last generation with a mini option – I like the idea of a lighter, thinner phone than the massive clunkers that are in vogue right now.

My partner’s 14 Pro Max (240 g) is honestly ridiculous. Unreasonable to carry in a pocket.

I’m sure the battery life of the Air will be better than my 13 mini … and it would need to be.

But if you’re running the battery flat in any modern iPhone by dinner time, you need to take a look at your daily screen time and consider if that is really how you want to live your one life.