iPhone 17 Air May Pack Smaller Battery Than iPhone 16, But iOS 26 Could Save The Day

July 19, 2025: As Apple gears up for its anticipated iPhone 17 lineup launch this September, the spotlight has turned to the rumored iPhone 17 Air—tipped to be the company’s thinnest iPhone ever. But along with the sleek design could come some compromises, particularly on battery life.

According to a new leak by tipster Instant Digital on Weibo, the iPhone 17 Air may pack a battery under 3,000mAh, possibly around 2,800mAh. If accurate, this would mark the smallest battery in an iPhone since the iPhone 13, raising concerns about day-long usability. Apple is expected to counterbalance the smaller battery with iOS 26’s Adaptive Power Mode, a new software feature designed to optimize power consumption.

The thinner profile—rumored to be just 5.5mm—limits space for a larger battery. As per a report by The Information, only 60–70% of users may get through an entire day without recharging, compared to the 80–90% figures seen in other iPhone models.

To address this, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a dedicated battery case, a throwback to the days of the iPhone 11 Smart Battery Case and the iPhone 12’s MagSafe Battery Pack.

What Else to Expect from the iPhone 17 Air:

• Design: A lightweight 7000-series aluminum alloy frame, swapping out the heavier titanium used in the iPhone 16 Pro models.
• Display: A high-refresh 120Hz OLED panel, retaining quality visuals for daily use and media consumption.
• Camera: A single 48MP rear camera and a 24MP front camera, ideal for content creators and video callers.
• Chipset & Performance: Powered by the next-gen A19 chip, coupled with 8GB RAM, aligning it with the performance of the iPhone 16 Plus.
• Charging: Supports MagSafe wireless charging, along with a glass rear panel for a premium finish.
• Security: Face ID remains for biometric authentication.

While these leaks come from a source with a mixed accuracy history—Instant Digital did correctly leak the yellow iPhone 14 variant—they should still be taken with a grain of salt.

With just a few months to go before launch, Apple fans will be watching closely to see whether the ultra-thin design of the iPhone 17 Air can deliver the same power and performance expected from a flagship device.