So, here we are again. Another iPhone leak. Another round of debate regarding the purported iPhone 17 Air. This time, it’s not about the camera, the display, or some magical AI feature. No, it’s the battery—and the numbers don’t exactly scream 2025.
Just 2,800mAh? Seriously?
According to a recent leak from Naver, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air might ship with a 2,800mAh battery. Let that sink in for a second. Not even 3,000. In a year where mid-range Android phones are pushing 6,000mAh as standard.
To be fair, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be just 5.5mm thin. That’s slimmer than almost anything else on the market. It fits with the “Air” branding—sleek, lightweight, ultra-portable. But still… 2,800mAh? Even Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip from 2020 had more battery than that. And it folded in half.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s Slim Phone Still Wins on Battery
Look at the Galaxy S25 Edge—Samsung’s thinnest phone in years. It’s sleek too, yet still manages a 3,900mAh battery. It’s not huge, but at least it feels modern. Apple’s 2,800mAh move almost feels retro.
That said, Apple might be betting on battery density improvements. The leak suggests the company could be using next-gen high-density cells, potentially offering 15 to 20% more energy efficiency. If true, the effective performance might punch above its weight. But that’s theoretical—for now.
Real-world usage? We’ll have to wait and see.
Lightweight. Thin. Still Underwhelming?
One thing Apple usually nails is hardware balance, and the iPhone 17 Air may still shine in that regard. The phone is said to weigh just 145 grams, making it one of the lightest full-screen smartphones on the market.
Other expected specs include:
- 6.6-inch OLED display with Dynamic Island
- Camera Control Button (possibly new hardware?)
- 120Hz refresh rate across all iPhone 17 models
- Powered by the Apple A19 chip
- Support for WiFi 7
- A more durable front glass (details TBD)
And as usual, Apple’s software optimization could do a lot with less hardware—battery included. Still, some users might find it hard to justify a premium device with such a modest capacity on paper.
Pricing and Launch Window
The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly slot in below the $999 iPhone 17 Pro, making it the more affordable option in Apple’s 2025 lineup. The full range—Air, 17 Pro, and Pro Max—is expected to launch around September or October 2025, which tracks with Apple’s typical schedule.
Final Thought?
If the leak holds, the iPhone 17 Air is going to be a beautifully engineered device… with a battery that might just struggle to keep up with everything else it’s trying to be. A slim profile is nice—but in 2025, so is not having to recharge your phone every afternoon.