iPhone 17 Air leak might have revealed the model’s biggest flaw

According to rumors, Apple plans to release the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max this fall along with the incredibly thin iPhone 17 Air. It’s rumored to be the thinnest iPhone model ever, but you may be wondering if Apple will have to make any compromises to make its most exciting 2025 release as thin as possible. The answer to that question seems to be yes, according to a report from a trustworthy source.

On the Chinese social networking site Weibo, technology leaker Instant Digital claims that the iPhone 17 Air’s battery “does not exceed 3,000mAh.” That is consistent with earlier speculations that the ultra-thin Air would have a 2,800 mAh battery, as MacRumors notes. For comparison, the iPhone 16 comes with a 3,561 mAh battery, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4,685 mAh battery. Regardless of how you look at it, the battery capacity has significantly decreased, albeit this is not shocking considering how thin it is.

• Also Check: The iPhone 17 Pro looks gorgeous in new renders, and it could get a protective display boost too

The last numbered iPhone with a battery capacity less than 3,000 mAh actually dates back to 2021 (the iPhone 13 mini had a 2,438 mAh battery). To put it another way, it has been a long time, and it marred an otherwise interesting specification sheet on paper.

Battery capacity isn’t everything

Given how crucial battery life is to the majority of users, the smaller battery will surely turn off many purchasers, but Apple has ways to make up for it. For example, iOS 26 will see the release of Apple’s Adaptive Power feature, which will “make small performance adjustments to extend your battery life.” It may be one of the first things you should activate after configuring your iPhone if you intend to upgrade to an iPhone 17 Air this fall.

Furthermore, according to a May story from The Information, Apple intends to release a new battery case designed just for the iPhone 17 Air. During internal testing, the company reportedly found that between 60% and 70% of iPhone 17 Air users would be able to use the device for a whole day before needing to recharge it. In contrast, the other iPhone 17 variants have between 80% and 90%. It’s a significant decline.

You might want to wait to upgrade if you’re not in a rush to get your hands on an iPhone 17 Air on the first day. You won’t have to wait long because battery life tests and in-depth reviews will surely be widely available online soon after release.