The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be one of the most interesting (and possibly divisive) phones Apple’s working on right now.
If the latest supply chain leak is on point, which it likely is considering it comes from yeux1122, a source that has been mostly right before, we’re looking at a phone that’s ridiculously thin, impressively light… but potentially rocking a pretty meh battery.
Let’s break down what this thing could look and feel like, and why I’m both excited and slightly nervous about it.
5.5mm Thin and Only 145g?
We already know that the iPhone 17 Air is set to be the thinnest iPhone ever. We’re talking 5.5mm thick. For context, that’s way thinner than your current iPhone (even the regular 15 is over 7mm thick). And the weight? Just 145 grams. That’s iPhone SE 2 territory, only this new phone is supposed to have a much larger 6.6-inch display. So imagine the feel of a featherweight iPhone mini, but with a screen that actually fits 2025 standards. Sounds dreamy, honestly.
If you’re like me and constantly juggling your phone with one hand while half-lounging on a couch, that lightweight build is going to feel amazing. This thing might finally deserve the “Air” name Apple is rumored to slap on it.
But That Battery… Yikes?
Here’s where things get a little tricky. According to the same leak, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to pack a 2800mAh battery. If that number sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same ballpark as the battery in the iPhone 12. Yeah, the one from five years ago.
Now don’t get me wrong, the 12 didn’t have awful battery life, but it also didn’t have the same power-hungry AI and camera features we’re expecting in iOS 19. So seeing Apple go that small on battery capacity again raises eyebrows.
Related: iPhone 17 Air Could Bring Back Apple’s Battery Pack, Here’s Why
Apparently, internal tests show only 60–70% of users will get a full day of battery from the iPhone 17 Air. That’s not great. Apple usually aims for at least 80–90% “full-day” confidence across users.
What Might Save It?
There is some hope. Apple is reportedly experimenting with a high-density version of that same 2800mAh battery, which could boost the real-world performance by about 15–20%. Combine that with new AI-powered battery optimization in iOS 19, and maybe, just maybe, the 17 Air won’t be a battery anxiety nightmare.
Still, that’s a big “maybe.” Especially when the iPhone 16 has a 3561mAh battery, and the 16 Plus is rocking 4674mAh. That’s up to 40% more battery.
Should We Be Hyped or Cautious?
Honestly, I’m a little torn. Part of me loves the idea of an ultra-thin, ultra-light iPhone that doesn’t feel like a slab in my pocket. If Apple can really nail the battery software tricks and maybe sneak in that denser cell, the iPhone 17 Air could be a slick new take on the iPhone. A breath of fresh… Air.
But if the battery can’t keep up? It’s going to be a pretty phone that lives on a MagSafe charger.
We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out, but the pieces are definitely falling into place, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how Apple balances thinness with usability.
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