iPhone 17 Pro Models Expected to Set New Battery Life Benchmark

[MacRumors]

Apple will tout major battery life improvements for both iPhone 17 Pro models when it unveils the new devices later today at its "Awe dropping" event, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Gurman does not go into detail about the battery improvements in what is likely his final pre-event report. However, based on information gleaned from a Chinese regulatory database, the smaller iPhone 17 Pro is expected to pack a 4,252 mAh battery in regions without a SIM card tray, representing an 18.7% jump over the iPhone 16 Pro's 3,582 mAh capacity.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could become the first iPhone to cross the 5,000 mAh threshold, with a rumored 5,088 mAh battery that's 8.6% larger than its predecessor.

The expected gains are the result of Apple's decision to ditch the plastic placeholder it has used in SIM-less iPhones since the iPhone 14. By reclaiming that internal space for battery cells, Apple can deliver meaningful capacity improvements without necessarily increasing device size – although one rumor claims that the Pro Max model will be marginally thicker.

The iPhone 17 series is expected to expand eSIM-only availability beyond the U.S. to include the EU and other markets, though China will likely retain physical SIM slots due to regulatory requirements.

Combined with the power efficiency improvements from the A19 Pro chip, the battery upgrades should translate to hours of additional usage time. Gurman says the iPhone 17 Pro battery life gains are a response to users' "unceasing demand for longer-lasting smartphones."

We'll find out more soon. Apple's event begins at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Event times in other time zones are listed in our how-to-watch event guide.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro Models Expected to Set New Battery Life Benchmark

 

[abatabia]

I feel like we hear this every year.

 

[hoorayforhollywood]

I'm no battery expert so asking for community knowledge here... I've read reports that that the iPhone Air is using a new silicon-carbon battery technology to deliver the necessary battery life in the thin design. Presumably the same tech could be expanded to future iPhones across the range?

 

[Yuuuki]

Hope the small Pro really has a awe dropping battery life that lasts a day long.

 

[Mat Jam Car]

Will the UK be getting eSIM iPhones?

 

[firewire9000]

With my 16 Pro Max set to 80 % max charge, I end every day with like 60 % of battery remaining. With the new model I won’t probably need to charge it in 3 days. 🤣

 

[kerr]

the smaller iPhone 17 Pro is expected to pack a 4,252 mAh battery in regions without a SIM card tray

You mean, the US?

I guess we will soon know if any other countries go SIM-less.

 

[bLackjackj]

He's just taken the info from the leak and rehashed it..wow

 

[aknabi]

Not falling for that pickup line again... 3 times I upgraded sooner rather than later because of that come-on... no more Timmy... I know you're a playa

 

[Yuuuki]

You mean, the US?

I guess we will soon know if any other countries go SIM-less.

It's rumoured that EU will also get esim only. But guess we will know soon.

 

[gazwas]

Will the UK be getting eSIM iPhones?

EE are posting adverts for eSIM on YT and Lebara (one of few who didn't) just started supporting eSIM from September.... coincidence?

 

[Total Respray]

Imagine how much extra battery they could fit in if they dropped the camera control button…

 

[emulator]

It is nice on paper but with the new UI on iOS26 that extra could help keeping on level with current gen. Will see.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

If properly optimized , The 17 pro battery could come very close to the 16 pro max ... like only 1h less battery

 

[d2d]

I wish they would bring back Force Touch.

 

[MrCdvr]

Easiest way to get people into e-sim phone, just give them bigger battery and most will go e-sim without a question, if that's true I'm sad I got 16 pro instead of waiting for a extra year since my 11 pro was in working condition, but the battery was 79%

 

[snipr125]

Imagine how much extra battery they could fit in if they dropped the camera control button…

Or just remove the screen altogether! All month battery life with Siri talking to you instead of a screen

 

[ErneX]

Posted on another thread previously. If we end up getting iPhones here without sim tray, the increase for me would be of almost 30% (from 15 Pro with tray to 17 Pro without).

That’s pretty neat.

 

[BigDO]

Hope the small Pro really has a awe dropping battery life that lasts a day long.

The 16P already does, so any improvement to that will be awesome.

 

[fezzzer]

Will the UK be getting eSIM iPhones?

I'm hoping we at least get the option...

 

[svish]

The battery improvements if true, will be great. Waiting to see which version will be available in my country.

 

[macjaffa]

I'm no battery expert so asking for community knowledge here... I've read reports that that the iPhone Air is using a new silicon-carbon battery technology to deliver the necessary battery life in the thin design. Presumably the same tech could be expanded to future iPhones across the range?

yes. the air is clearly a prototyping / testing device. thinness, batt tech, it will come to the phones next year after any weirdness is fixed.

I just wish the air was stereo as I use the phone as a music player all the time

 

[macjaffa]

why does esim / phys sim matter to people ? Is it only people who change phones like their underwear ? I have only seen my sim once when i put it in my phone 3 years ago. I think it makes no difference if it's esim or phys sim?

 

[MrCdvr]

Imagine how much extra battery they could fit in if they dropped the camera control button…

It takes no extra space at all....

 

[MrCdvr]

why does esim / phys sim matter to people ? Is it only people who change phones like their underwear ? I have only seen my sim once when i put it in my phone 3 years ago. I think it makes no difference if it's esim or phys sim?

The e-sim activation was really weird when it first came out, not a lot of providers had it, each of them used different activation method (at least in Europe), for some providers You needed to go into the store to get it activated etc. sometimes it was painful/bug ridden process that did not work 100% of the times, when I activated my e-sim few years ago it did not transfer into apple watch correctly few times, needed to go into the store twice to get it fixed, which took time, now You get a QR code from a provider or they activated in via their system and it should work without an issues, but still every carrier uses different method and at least in my country from like 10 carriers, only 4 supports it in some way of form, but only 2 of them for prepaid, and for contract they use different methods, not all of them support apple watch etc.