One of the four iPhones expected to debut in September has caught the imagination: the slim model which might be called the iPhone 17 Air. A new report claims to show the battery, and it brings potentially good news.
The new phone is rumored to be as slim as 5.5mm, excluding the camera bump. Could, some have wondered, this exotic design be its Achilles’ heel, with too little space inside for a useful battery?
The latest report from serial leaker Majin Bu suggests the battery could have a bigger capacity than was previously expected. Using images supplied by a source of what’s said to be the battery, the report estimates the capacity at 2,900mAh, which is bigger than the 2,800mAh previously thought.
Bigger, then, but still not huge. Even so, every little helps with battery life, so this is good news.
The images show that “Apple has chosen a steel case for the battery, a decision that follows the introduction of this technology on the iPhone 16 Pro, where the steel case enhanced heat dissipation and battery density,” the report claims.
Those who remember that there was a hiccup when the iPhone 15 Pro was released which seemed to suggest heat was causing the battery to perform less well may remember that the switch to a steel case for the next model was greatly welcomed.
Majin Bu says this kind of case also offers higher structural resistance. Additionally, “the steel case, successfully implemented on the iPhone 16 Pro, integrates seamlessly with the L-shaped design, fitting the reduced logic board of the iPhone 17 Air,” the report goes on.
Other reports have suggested that iOS 26 will include features to improve battery life, including an Adaptive Power mode. This and what is hoped will be a more efficient processor in the new, slim phone may be enough to overcome fears of an under-performing phone.
Even so, you can be sure that when it is released, especially as the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to have a thicker-than-ever profile to feature an increased battery size, all eyes will be on how long the iPhone 17 Air lasts each day.
