Slimline iPhone 17 Air Induced by 2.49mm Battery Expected for Launch in September 2025
The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a game-changer in the smartphone world, with rumours suggesting it will be Apple's thinnest phone yet, sporting a sleek 5.5mm chassis[1][2][3]. This design innovation comes at the cost of a smaller battery capacity, estimated to be around 2,800 to 2,900 mAh[4], which is significantly less than the iPhone 17 Pro's battery of about 3,700 mAh[4].
The battery itself is remarkably thin, measuring approximately 2.49mm thick including a steel casing[2][5], making it thinner than the iPhone 17 Pro’s battery. The steel casing not only improves heat dissipation but also enhances the battery's structural integrity while accommodating a reduced-size logic board inside the slim phone[2][5].
The use of a silicone anode in the iPhone 17 Air's battery is anticipated to be groundbreaking[6], and TDK CEO Noboru Saito has hinted that the iPhone 17 Air will indeed use a 'high-density' battery[7]. This high-density battery, combined with new adhesive technologies in the battery design[8], is expected to maximise power in a small space.
While these design choices prioritise a slimmer, lighter build, they do come with trade-offs in battery life. The smaller battery capacity suggests the iPhone 17 Air may struggle to last a full day on a single charge, even with software optimisations like the anticipated AI-powered energy management in iOS 26[4].
In comparison to the iPhone 17 Pro, the Air has a smaller battery capacity, thinner battery, and a design focus on ultra-thin, lightweight features. However, the Pro offers better battery performance with a thicker battery and a more robust build due to its higher battery capacity and additional features.
| Feature | iPhone 17 Air | iPhone 17 Pro | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Battery Capacity | ~2,800–2,900 mAh | ~3,700 mAh | | Battery Thickness | ~2.49 mm including steel casing | Thicker than Air’s battery (exact thickness unconfirmed) | | Design Focus | Ultra-thin, lightweight | More robust, likely heavier due to higher battery capacity and additional features | | Battery Benefits | Steel casing for heat dissipation and high-density cells possible | Steel casing as well, but larger battery for better endurance | | Performance Impact | Compromised battery life for thinness | Better battery life and possibly slightly better sustained performance |
In summary, the iPhone 17 Air prioritises a thin, light form factor at the cost of battery capacity and likely overall battery life, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro offers better battery performance with a thicker battery but is a heavier, less slim device[1][2][3][4][5].
It's worth noting that the removal of the Ultra Wide camera in the iPhone 17 Air could potentially free up space for a larger battery. Furthermore, the iPhone 17 Air may benefit from Apple's power-efficient C1 modem[9].
[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/04/18/iphone-17-air-thin-design/ [2] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/02/iphone-17-air-battery-thickness-revealed/ [3] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/10/iphone-17-air-ultra-thin-design-confirmed/ [4] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/15/iphone-17-air-battery-life-concerns-emerge/ [5] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/20/iphone-17-air-battery-technology-silicon-anode/ [6] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/25/iphone-17-air-silicon-anode-battery-groundbreaking/ [7] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/06/01/tdk-ceo-iphone-17-air-high-density-battery/ [8] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/06/08/iphone-17-air-battery-adhesive-technology/ [9] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/06/15/iphone-17-air-c1-modem-power-efficient/
The iPhone 17 Air, with its focus on ultrathin gadgets, is rumored to feature a smartphone battery with a high-density silicone anode, which is expected to maximize power in a small space. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro offers a larger battery capacity, ensuring better battery performance for its technology-packed devices.
