Apple’s upcoming super-slim iPhone 17 Air could weigh just 5.11 ounces, according to a new leak. That would make it one of the lightest smartphones on the market. However, the phone’s thinness could come at the expense of battery life.
The leaker says the device will come with a paltry 2,800mAh battery. But Apple might tap new technology to make that tiny battery last longer than you would expect.
iPhone 17 Air’s rumored battery capacity might disappoint you
Previous leaks about the iPhone 17 Air focused on the device’s thinness. A new leak provides more insight into the phone’s other key specs, including its weight and battery capacity.
Korean leaker yeux1122 reaffirmed Friday several previous rumors that said the iPhone 17 Air will measure just 5.5mm thick. He further said the device will weigh just 145 grams (5.11 ounces), making it lighter than both the iPhone 16e (167 grams) and even the iPhone SE 2 (148 grams). This would be remarkable, especially since the phone reportedly will house a 6.6-inch display.
The thin and light design will lead Apple to sacrifice on battery capacity, though. According to yeux1122, the iPhone 18 Air will ship with a 2,800mAh battery, considerably smaller than other phones. For comparison, Samsung’s iPhone 17 Air rival, the Galaxy S25 Edge, ships with a 3,900mAh battery — a difference of more than 1,000mAh. No wonder reports suggest Apple will sell a battery case for the iPhone 17 Air.
The new details about the iPhone 17 Air specs come from a “mass production confirmed sample,” according to yeux1122, so they should be on point.
The leaker noted that the battery capacity might get a 15% to 20% boost if Apple uses a higher-density cell. But that possibility remains unconfirmed. Chinese Android manufacturers already use silicon-carbide batteries in their phones to boost capacity.
Meanwhile, a Bloomberg report on Friday said iPhone supplier TDK is “readying a new generation of batteries” to power super-slim mobile devices.
“TDK’s battery technology is helping the world’s biggest smartphone makers slim down their gadgets without shortening battery run times,” according to Bloomberg. “Its latest lithium-ion batteries use silicon for anodes instead of the graphite commonly used and can pack 15% more energy into the same space compared with conventional rechargeable battery packs.”
Other optimizations should help the iPhone 17 Air’s battery life
With a 2,800mAh cell, the iPhone 17 Air might not make it through even a day of moderate use, even if it does employ silicon anode batteries. As a result, Apple likely will try to compensate for the small battery through under-the-hood optimizations and more power-efficient components.
Apple already does something similar with the iPhone 16e, which features the power-efficient C1 modem developed by the company. This helps the iPhone 16e deliver the longest battery life of any iPhone. The company also reportedly plans to use AI to extend iPhone battery life in iOS 19.
These changes should help the iPhone 17 Air extract more mileage from its tiny battery. And if not, there’s always the battery case that Apple will sell.
