iPhone 17 Air battery life may not be great but Apple could have a ‘backup plan’

Apple iPhone

Apple is rumoured to introduce a new ultra-slim model called the iPhone 17 Air as part of its iPhone 17 lineup this September. However, multiple leaks suggest that the sleek design might come with a notable trade-off: battery capacity.

According to tipster Instant Digital, who posted on Chinese platform Weibo, the iPhone 17 Air’s battery is unlikely to exceed 3000mAh. This echoes an earlier leak from yeux1122, who claimed the device could ship with a 2800mAh battery — considerably lower than what’s expected across the rest of the lineup.

Even if Apple pushes the capacity closer to 3000mAh, it still falls short when compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is expected to feature a 5000mAh battery. Last year’s iPhone 16 and 16 Pro were equipped with batteries around 3500mAh, while the iPhone 16 Plus offered an even larger 4674mAh unit.

With the iPhone 17 Air set to feature a bigger display and possibly a fixed 120Hz refresh rate — unlike ProMotion’s variable refresh that saves power — the lower battery size could directly affect endurance.

To counter the potential battery drawback, Apple is reportedly introducing a new Adaptive Power mode in iOS 26. This feature is designed to optimise energy usage, especially during demanding tasks.

Additionally, the company is said to be working on a new battery case accessory for those seeking extra backup. While helpful, these solutions may not fully address the concerns of users expecting all-day usage from a flagship phone.

The iPhone 17 Air is likely to launch in four colour options, including Lavender, Desert Titanium, and Space Black. It may be powered by Apple’s upcoming A19 chip and ship with iOS 26 pre-installed.

Despite its premium build and display upgrades, battery life may end up being the iPhone 17 Air’s weakest link if these early leaks hold true.