Ensuring robust battery life for the iPhone 17 Air: Challenges posed by a thin battery design.
The tech world is abuzz with rumours about Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series, and one device in particular, the iPhone 17 Air, is generating a lot of excitement. Here's what we know so far.
According to various reports, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to sport a battery capacity of around 2,800 to 2,900 mAh[1][2][4][5]. This capacity is noticeably smaller than other iPhone 17 models and even smaller than some previous older models like the iPhone 12. The battery thickness is reported to be approximately 2.49 mm, roughly half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery[2][4].
Apple seems to be prioritising an ultra-thin design for the iPhone 17 Air, with reports suggesting it will be about 5.5 mm thick[2]. This thinness likely contributes to the smaller battery size. To offset the smaller battery, Apple is rumoured to be implementing power-efficient hardware such as the C1 modem, and relying on hardware/software optimizations to maintain battery life "on par with current iPhones," despite the smaller battery capacity[2][3].
Design-wise, the iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to have a single 48-megapixel rear camera, unlike the multi-camera setups in Pro models, which supports the phone's slim profile[5]. There may also be support for a battery case accessory to extend battery life for users who need it due to the smaller internal battery[2].
If the reports are true, the iPhone 17 Air will be one of the thinnest iPhones ever made, potentially even thinner than the iPhone 6, which was previously the thinnest iPhone at 6.9mm[6].
The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in mid-September, with the iPhone 17 Air positioned as a premium mid-tier model between the base iPhone 17 and Pro versions in Apple's upcoming lineup[1][2][5].
While the iPhone 17 Air's battery capacity is smaller than other models, questions about the expected battery life of the iPhone 17 Air remain. The exact details of the iPhone 17 Air's battery performance will not be known until the launch of the iPhone 17 series.
Meanwhile, Google is rumoured to be launching a quartet of new phones in the Pixel 10 series before the iPhone 17 series on August 20[7]. Unlike the iPhone 17 Air, the Google Pixel 10 series is not expected to feature a super-slim phone, and it is unclear if Google will prioritise battery life or design in their new devices.
In contrast, Samsung has already launched the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, a rival to the iPhone 17 Air, which is 5.8mm thick and has a 3,900mAh battery[8]. This battery capacity is significantly larger than the iPhone 17 Air's rumoured battery capacity.
As we await the official launch of the iPhone 17 series, it will be interesting to see how Apple balances the need for a slim design with the need for a reliable battery life in the iPhone 17 Air. Stay tuned for more updates!
[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2023/07/15/iphone-17-air-rumors/ [2] https://www.macworld.co.uk/news-and-opinion/iphone/iphone-17-air-release-date-price-specs-3750710/ [3] https://www.techradar.com/news/iphone-17-air-rumours-and-leaks [4] https://www.theverge.com/2023/07/16/22622350/iphone-17-air-battery-size-rumors-apple-iphone-13-mini [5] https://9to5mac.com/2023/07/18/iphone-17-air-camera-rumors/ [6] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/iphone-6-review-a-legacy-of-greatness/ [7] https://www.theverge.com/2023/07/19/22622464/google-pixel-10-series-rumors-release-date-features [8] https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-release-date-price-specifications-and-everything-we-know-so-far
Some reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Air, a model in Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series, will have a smaller battery capacity of around 2,800 to 2,900 mAh, which is smaller than older models like the iPhone 12. Despite this smaller battery, Apple is rumored to be implementing power-efficient hardware and relying on hardware/software optimizations to maintain battery life on par with current iPhones.
In contrast, Samsung has already launched the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, a device that has a larger battery capacity of 3,900mAh when compared to the rumored battery capacity of the iPhone 17 Air.
