iPhone 17 Air: Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Yet, But at What Cost?

Apple is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of design, and the rumored iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be their boldest move yet. Recent leaks have given us a glimpse into what could be the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever made, but this pursuit of slimness comes with some significant trade-offs.

A Battery That’s Almost Too Thin

The most striking detail from the latest leak is the iPhone 17 Air’s battery. At just 2.49mm thick (including the metal casing), it’s nearly half the thickness of the rumored iPhone 17 Pro’s battery. This is a dramatic reduction, and it’s not just about aesthetics. The Air’s battery is expected to have a capacity of only 2,900mAh, which is a significant step down from recent iPhones and even some Android competitors like the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge, which is rumored to have a 3,900mAh battery.

How Does It Compare?

• iPhone 17 Air: 2,900mAh (rumored)
• iPhone 13: 3,240mAh
• Galaxy S25 Edge: 3,900mAh (rumored)
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5,000mAh (rumored)

Apple hasn’t released an iPhone with a battery under 3,000mAh since the iPhone 13, so this would be a notable regression in terms of raw capacity.

Why Go So Thin?

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to measure around 5.5mm thick and weigh just 145 grams. This would make it one of the lightest and slimmest iPhones ever, and it’s rumored to replace the Plus model in Apple’s lineup. The focus here is clearly on portability and design, but it raises questions about whether users are willing to sacrifice battery life for a thinner device.

High-Density Battery Tech to the Rescue?

To mitigate the smaller battery size, Apple is reportedly using high-density battery technology. TDK is said to be preparing shipments of silicon-anode batteries, which could debut in the iPhone 17 Air. These batteries are more efficient and could help the phone last longer than its size suggests. However, real-world performance remains to be seen.

A Backup Plan: Optional Battery Case

Recognizing the potential concerns about battery life, Apple might offer an optional battery case for the iPhone 17 Air. This would allow users to extend their phone’s usage when needed without permanently sacrificing the device’s slim profile. It’s a clever solution, but it also feels like an admission that the base battery might not be enough for everyone.

The Bottom Line

The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a marvel of engineering, pushing the limits of how thin and light a smartphone can be. However, this comes at the cost of battery capacity, which could be a dealbreaker for power users. Apple’s use of high-density battery tech and the rumored battery case are promising, but until we see real-world performance, it’s hard to say if the trade-offs are worth it.

The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to launch this September, so we won’t have to wait long to see if Apple’s gamble pays off.

Source: iPhone 17 Air battery is shockingly thin compared to the Pro, phandroid.com