Rumors declare that Apple is planning to debut an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Professional, and iPhone 17 Professional Max this fall. It’s stated to be the thinnest iPhone mannequin of all time, however you may be questioning whether or not or not Apple goes to have to chop any corners so as to slim down its most intriguing launch of 2025. Based mostly on a report from a dependable supply, the reply to that query seems to be sure.
In response to know-how leaker Instantaneous Digital on the Chinese language social media platform Weibo, the battery on the iPhone 17 Air “doesn’t exceed 3,000mAh.” As MacRumors factors out, that strains up with earlier rumors suggesting the ultra-thin Air would function a 2,800 mAh battery. To place that quantity into perspective, the iPhone 16 Professional Max has a 4,685 mAh battery whereas the iPhone 16 ships with a 3,561 mAh battery. Nonetheless you slice it, that’s a big downgrade when it comes to battery capability, although not particularly shocking given the thinness.
In reality, you must go all the way in which again to 2021 to search out the final numbered iPhone with a battery capability under 3,000 mAh (the iPhone 13 mini had a 2,438 mAh battery). In different phrases, it has been some time, and on paper, it taints an in any other case intriguing spec sheet.
Battery capability isn’t every part

Whereas many consumers will undoubtedly be delay by the smaller battery — particularly given how essential battery life is to most customers — Apple has methods to compensate. As an illustration, Apple is debuting an Adaptive Energy function in iOS 26 that may “make small efficiency changes to increase your battery life.” Should you plan on upgrading to an iPhone 17 Air this fall, that may be one of many first options it is best to activate after establishing your cellphone.
Moreover, a report from The Data again in Might claimed that Apple is planning to launch a brand new battery case particularly for the iPhone 17 Air. The corporate reportedly found throughout inside checks that between 60% and 70% of iPhone 17 Air customers would have the ability to use the cellphone for a full day with out having to recharge it. Examine that to between 80% and 90% for the opposite iPhone 17 fashions. It’s a notable drop.
Those that aren’t anxious to get their arms on an iPhone 17 Air on day one may need to maintain off on upgrading. Battery life checks and detailed critiques will undoubtedly flood the web shortly after launch, so that you received’t have to attend lengthy.