iPhone 17 Thinner iPhone But Less Battery Life or Thicker iPhone But Better Battery Life

[Ameer_1]

I notice people complaining about the iPhone Air compared to other iPhones.
Would you like to know your opinion?
Who knows, maybe Apple might look at this in the future

 

[Rangers94]

Less battery life does not mean bad battery life. I’ll take the iPhone Air which is Apples must luxurious design ever with good battery life over a big bulky phone with great battery life.

My iPhone 15 Pro Max which I still have feels like an absolute brick now when I pick it up after handling the Air and each time I hold it I realize why I love the Air so much!

 

[JPack]

Who knows, maybe Apple might look at this in the future

I guarantee that will never happen. Polls are completely meaningless here in this echo chamber.

If you believe the poll results from a month ago, the Air is a top selling phone, Pro/Max is a distant second, and nobody buys the base model.

 

[zenmacx]

I notice people complaining about the iPhone Air compared to other iPhones.

As a tech enthusiast that enjoys owning various smartphones, my posts simply reflect my personal experience with the models I own.

Comparing iPhones keeps things interesting, as I haven't owned an iPhone I don't like, just some are better than others for my use case.

This year with the advent of iPhone Air, and Apples choice of features to include or exclude there's lots to talk about.

Comparing my 16e to my Air reveals that despite its shortcomings the Air is a decent iPhone. Yet I find the much more compact 16e my absolute favorite lightweight iPhone.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I am a ProMax user last few years and have never found the size or weight a problem.

 

[joshwithachance]

This year's lineup is the first time I've ever questioned if the Pro Max is getting TOO big and heavy... Which led me to trying out, and falling in love with, the Air. I'd like a little more endurance than the Air can offer, but I don't need nearly as much as the Pro Max provides either.

And with the soon to be rise of silicon-carbon high density batteries we won't even need to have this discussion anyway.

 

[techspin]

I want it so thin I have to pick it up with my fingernails. And it should have 4 speakers, 4 cameras, and 4-day battery life to make up for the pain and suffering their initial Air has caused.

 

[Macdctr]

Get the iPhone you really want to get, not what the majority of people get. Given a choice I would rather have a phone that does not feel like I'm picking up a brick in comparison to lightweight phones that perform adequately for the task. I'm probably in the minority however I choose to have a device that does not feel like it is bulky but rather is either small or thin and light.

 

[bill-p]

Who knows, maybe Apple might look at this in the future

They don't. As mentioned, this is an echo chamber.

But the bigger echo chamber is all of these "tech influencers" who are the ones pushing for bigger, thicker, heavier phones with more and more features. They are actually responsible for this trend of Apple's phones getting bigger and thicker over time.

Unfortunately, not even Apple can "influence" the world like that. Steve Jobs was bold enough to keep pushing for a small, thin, light, SINGLE phone in the entire lineup for years. But Tim Cook is not that person. He's a numbers guy, so Apple under him is chasing numbers and trends just like any other corporates now. It's not a criticism but more of a comment on how Apple operates now.

Personally, I do welcome the choices and options. But I do lament the fact that the minority options like the iPhone Mini, the Plus, and soon the Air and e lines will go away in time.

It's like people want more choices but at the same time, they are the ones forcing Apple to "delete" the options (Mini, Air, etc...) that are not fitting their preferences. You will see a lot of such comments here.

 

[TroyBoy30]

everyone wanted a thicker phone with more battery until they made the pro thicker with more battery. now they complain thats it too thick.

 

[Rangers94]

everyone wanted a thicker phone with more battery until they made the pro thicker with more battery. now they complain thats it too thick.

I didn’t. I think phones are getting ridiculously thick. The iPhone Air is a breath of fresh air. (No pun intended) lol

 

[bill-p]

everyone wanted a thicker phone with more battery until they made the pro thicker with more battery. now they complain thats it too thick.

Let me reword that for you: tech influencers made everyone want thicker devices in general (see Macbook Pro). That forced Apple to make thicker and thicker devices. This is true across the board and not just with the iPhone.

In reality, before these thicker phones, literally every single Apple user was okay with a thinner phone. Thicker phones is not a problem with people. It's a problem with how "influencers" are pressuring everyone into thinking they need more cameras and more battery life.

Apple has tried to "correct the course" of course. The OLED iPads are thinner for one. The iPhone Air is thinner for one. Unfortunately, people are too addicted to their phones now to "accept" less battery life, so this problem will continue with the iPhone. Funnily enough, people do not seem to be too addicted to their iPads so they are absolutely okay with the "loss" of battery life.

 

[emeka09]

Get the iPhone you really want to get, not what the majority of people get. Given a choice I would rather have a phone that does not feel like I'm picking up a brick in comparison to lightweight phones that perform adequately for the task. I'm probably in the minority however I choose to have a device that does not feel like it is bulky but rather is either small or thin and light.

Have to agree with this. For me this year, comfort is going down to the 17 pro after being a max user all these years. I love using it but a part of me has the feeling that I’m missing out on something with how popular the max is, but you’re 100% right 👍🏾

 

[ctjack]

Let me reword that for you: tech influencers made everyone want thicker devices in general (see Macbook Pro). That forced Apple to make thicker and thicker devices. This is true across the board and not just with the iPhone.

In reality, before these thicker phones, literally every single Apple user was okay with a thinner phone. Thicker phones is not a problem with people. It's a problem with how "influencers" are pressuring everyone into thinking they need more cameras and more battery life.

Apple has tried to "correct the course" of course. The OLED iPads are thinner for one. The iPhone Air is thinner for one. Unfortunately, people are too addicted to their phones now to "accept" less battery life, so this problem will continue with the iPhone. Funnily enough, people do not seem to be too addicted to their iPads so they are absolutely okay with the "loss" of battery life.

My android redmi note 4x had 4100mah battery and was holding 9-11 hr sot back in 2016 i guess.

My only gripe was that the phone was big so need 2 hands to operate. But seemingly the weight was never a concern because it was 165grams and half metal half plastic.

While iphone 7/8 of that era worked only 4-5 hours.

The problem is iPhone was always premium materials like glass and metal.

Thus, apple catching up on display sot meant bigger than android phones.

So i think Air is apple’s play in staying true to their roots - premium heavy phone needs to be inline with weight by reducing battery size.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

It's much more than your poll of two options. Thicker+more battery vs thinner+less battery.

I started with a OG SE for 6 yrs and ended with a currently used 13 Mini (3 yrs).

If I had the option, between the 13 Mini and Air, I would chose the Mini again. More speakers, lenses, etc. I'm not trying to start a Mini debate but merely am highlighting that there's a lot more to a phone purchase than just the battery, dimensions or weight.

Obviously I chose dimensions and weight at the time, instead of buying a 13, 13 Pro, etc. The battery I knew would be a limitation (MagSafe battery also purchased) but the overall package appealed the most.

 

[bill-p]

So i think Air is apple’s play in staying true to their roots - premium heavy phone needs to be inline with weight by reducing battery size.

Yeah, the iPhone Air is more true to Apple's roots. I'd argue even that an iPhone Air Mini would actually be exactly what Steve Jobs would have gone for. Or a mini-sized iPhone that can unfold to become something like the current Pro Max size.

Unfortunately, the current user base is spoiled to wanting more battery life and bigger screen, all to assist in their content consumption quests, at the expense of thickness, size and weight. That's having a detrimental effect on the rest of us who really just need something that's a basic, reliable phone from Apple. Everyone now is forced to carry almost literal bricks in their pockets just because that's what the "majority" seems to want.

 

[Macdctr]

Have to agree with this. For me this year, comfort is going down to the 17 pro after being a max user all these years. I love using it but a part of me has the feeling that I’m missing out on something with how popular the max is, but you’re 100% right 👍🏾

I have been a Pro Max user ever since the 11 Pro Max and have been happy using those devices but realized this year I have been over paying for a device all the content creators have been endorsing rather than getting “the right” device for my needs. I have overpaid for some pro level features I never used.

This time around I got the iPhone Air because of its very thin and light profile, having the A19 Pro processor and 12 GB memory just like the Pro series iPhones with one different thing . . . one less GPU core.

For my use, this has not been an issue and I have not had my Air die out on me since I am either around a charging source or have a MagSafe power pack handy to charge my new phone. I have not experienced any thermal throttling with my Air but I’m not doing video editing or serious gaming requiring high graphics processing on it either.

Only thing I wish is that my Air did not set me back $1400 for the 1TB device I purchased and was at least $200 cheaper but it is what it is. Even at the price I paid, I feel I still got the right device with the right amount of storage for my needs.

Everyone have different needs and priorities for how they want for their iPhones. I for one, don’t need to have Apple’s top of the line flagship models and am happy with the one I got. There are no wrong choices as long as you’re happy with the device you purchased 👍🏽

 

[FeliApple]

My android redmi note 4x had 4100mah battery and was holding 9-11 hr sot back in 2016 i guess.

My only gripe was that the phone was big so need 2 hands to operate. But seemingly the weight was never a concern because it was 165grams and half metal half plastic.

While iphone 7/8 of that era worked only 4-5 hours.

The problem is iPhone was always premium materials like glass and metal.

Thus, apple catching up on display sot meant bigger than android phones.

So i think Air is apple’s play in staying true to their roots - premium heavy phone needs to be inline with weight by reducing battery size.

The Plus models (6, 6s, 7, and 8) had those 10-11 hours on original iOS versions.

 

[ctjack]

The Plus models (6, 6s, 7, and 8) had those 10-11 hours on original iOS versions.

And they weighed 188/202 grams accordingly versus 135 grams galaxy s3 and 165 grams androids (redmi note 4x).

That is the point, now you have iPhone equivalent made of premium metals at 233 grams (17 pro max) and next year they promise 240 grams pro max.

They need to scale it back: galaxy fold 7 is 215 grams for its tablet sized screen.

 

[FeliApple]

I changed a lot when it comes to that opinion.

When I started using iPhones, it was small iPhones or nothing. But I quickly went up to the 7 Plus because of battery life. Those 10-11 hours of SOT with light use on iOS 10 were golden.

I then got the Xʀ, which had a full lifespan of almost six years as main, always running iOS 12. 16 hours of light SOT.

I continued with my good battery life but large iPhones with my current 16 Plus running iOS 18. It gives me 27 hours of light SOT.

I’m a light, efficient user. According to the numbers I’ve seen, the Air would give me 19 hours, but it isn’t small. It is thin. Also, it apparently collapses with heavier Cellular use. My 16 Plus drops to 18-20 hours with moderate to heavy Cellular use. Apparently the Air drops to about half with the same usage, a significantly higher loss.

If Apple gave us a Mini with the battery life of the regular 17 that maintained Plus-like efficiency (so, I get 27 hours and 18-20 respectively on the 16 Plus, the “17 Mini” should give me 22 hours and 14-15 hours of Cellular), and a dual camera, I’d find that interesting.

I don’t care about thinness and size anymore though. So I think I’d still buy a larger iPhone, just due to screen size.

This 16 Plus is perfect. Large, efficient, good battery life, a good iOS version (18). I wouldn’t trade it for a 17 even if you offered that deal for free.

I just have no problems carrying or using this 16 Plus, which is significantly larger than my previous phone, the Xʀ on iOS 12.

Sure, when I put my 5c in my pocket, just to try, it makes a world of difference. But trust me, I wouldn’t want that battery life. I’ve been discussing numbers, so I’ll give numbers. The 5c was at 7 hours of light Wi-Fi use and 5 of moderate (NOT heavy Cellular use, so no camera). Untenable for today’s standards. I’d be at 30% by 5 pm or so. If I used the camera significantly it would die in three hours. I really wouldn’t like that. I like to have wall independence, thank you very much.

I have mentioned that my favourite iPhone is my 6s running iOS 10. But I have tested it with a specific camera-heavy, high brightness, cellular usage pattern. After 2.5 hours of SOT, it was below 50%.

My 16 Plus was at 90% remaining with the exact same usage. Like I said, the 6s runs iOS 10, it isn’t updated. And it ran iOS 10 when I tested that. The difference is so high that I can’t overlook it even if using a small iPhone would be more comfortable (and I’m not going into the loss of screen real estate, that’s another topic).

 

[FeliApple]

And they weighed 188/202 grams accordingly versus 135 grams galaxy s3 and 165 grams androids (redmi note 4x).

That is the point, now you have iPhone equivalent made of premium metals at 233 grams (17 pro max) and next year they promise 240 grams pro max.

They need to scale it back: galaxy fold 7 is 215 grams for its tablet sized screen.

It’s twenty grams on the Plus vs the Xiaomi. Is that really noticeable to you?

 

[ctjack]

It’s twenty grams on the Plus vs the Xiaomi. Is that really noticeable to you?

It is noticeable and quickly adds up when using screen protectors (7-15 grams) and a case (25-50 grams).

My wife’s 15 pro max with apple clear case and no screen protector clocked 261 grams.

While my barebones naked 12 mini is 135 grams or 2 times lighter. And it doesn’t need case because less chances to drop one hand operated phone.

Long way of saying i bought new 12 mini to then sell my current 15 pro (188 grams). In this whole gigantic ordeal only Air hits the weight limit at 165 grams where the substance meets the justifiable weight.

I sit in the office and only clock in 15-30 min SOT a day. The rest i do at home - might as well do that on an ipad or macbook.

 

[FeliApple]

It is noticeable and quickly adds up when using screen protectors (7-15 grams) and a case (25-50 grams).

My wife’s 15 pro max with apple clear case and no screen protector clocked 261 grams.

While my barebones naked 12 mini is 135 grams or 2 times lighter. And it doesn’t need case because less chances to drop one hand operated phone.

Long way of saying i bought new 12 mini to then sell my current 15 pro (188 grams). In this whole gigantic ordeal only Air hits the weight limit at 165 grams where the substance meets the justifiable weight.

I sit in the office and only clock in 15-30 min SOT a day. The rest i do at home - might as well do that on an ipad or macbook.

Well, with 15-30 minutes of SOT per day you might as well use a 12 or 13 Mini for as long as you can.

I actually think that for your use case, that’s the best possible iPhone.

Hopefully you can get many, many years out of it!

 

[ctjack]

Well, with 15-30 minutes of SOT per day you might as well use a 12 or 13 Mini for as long as you can.

I actually think that for your use case, that’s the best possible iPhone.

Hopefully you can get many, many years out of it!

yeah, there are lots of downsides of using safely an old tech - wish we had new mini.

With old mini, battery going from OK to bad is exactly 6-12 months. One can be committed much and pay for replacement battery every year at apple, but these guys most likely end up cracking the screen (popular with these) so will have to give a new mini or swap out the screen.

Swapping screens requires mating it to CPU via dfu mode, so they will swap me to whatever current ios is at that moment.

Since you have extensive usage history of older iphones with oem ios and their longevity, i don’t have to tell you that mini will likely become a lagging brick (the same way my se1, se2, iphone 11 and xr got out of the usage lagging on new ios).

The only miracle in apple’s history was then iPhone 5. Shipped with ios 6, it became a better phone on ios 7 upping all the speed and battery time. Nowadays apple’s software is akin to windows game devs: lazy developers don’t optimize their code so one needs nvidia 5090 levels gpu with 32gb of RAM to squeeze out 60 fps in modern games.

 

[zenmacx]

I am a ProMax user last few years and have never found the size or weight a problem.

I concur.

Using my iPhone 16 Pro Max as the primary work and personal device, I fully appreciate and use its many features. The 6.9” display is particularly useful when on the road as it often saves me from getting out my 13” M2 MacBook Air.

Conversely I also carry either my 16e or Air once my work day is done. Of those two I must say the Air is somewhat of a disappointment and I end up preferring to use the 16e.

At the end of the day I’m happy to have choices and appreciate the overall quality of my various iPhones.