Apple’s latest iPhone lineup is official, and while the cameras and chips usually steal the spotlight, let’s talk about something that matters every single day — battery life. Because what good is all that shiny new tech if your phone dies before dinner?
Apple revealed the official battery stats for the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and there are some interesting differences this year. Spoiler: the Pro Max once again takes the crown, but the Air isn’t too far behind considering its thin design.
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Battery Life and Capacity Breakdown
Here’s how the new iPhones stack up:
iPhone 17
- Battery: 3,692 mAh (a 3.7% bump over iPhone 16)
- Video playback: Up to 30 hours
iPhone Air
- Battery: 3,149 mAh
- Video playback: Up to 27 hours
- The exclusive slim MagSafe Battery pack for the Air pushes battery life by 65% up to 40 hours.
iPhone 17 Pro
- Battery: 4,252 mAh (18.7% bigger than iPhone 16 Pro)
- Video playback: Up to 33 hours
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Battery: 5,088 mAh (8.6% larger than iPhone 16 Pro Max)
- Video playback: Up to 39 hours — the best ever in an iPhone
eSIM Models Get a Boost
Here’s a fun twist: eSIM-only models actually last longer. Apple says iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro with eSIM-only can squeeze out up to 2 extra hours of battery compared to versions with a physical SIM tray. Why? Because the extra space gets used for a slightly larger battery.
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Meanwhile, the iPhone Air ships as eSIM-only worldwide, so you automatically get that little bonus. No tray, no problem.
Which iPhone Should You Pick for Battery Life?
- If you want the absolute longest-lasting iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the obvious winner. Nearly 40 hours of video playback is insane.
- The iPhone 17 Pro is a solid middle ground with over 33 hours.
- The iPhone Air, despite being the thinnest, still manages 27 hours, which is impressive for a “lighter” iPhone.
- The regular iPhone 17 sits right in the middle of the pack at 30 hours.
Bottom line? Apple’s done a pretty good job spreading decent battery life across the entire iPhone 17 lineup. But if your priority is a phone that keeps going and going, the Pro Max is in a league of its own.
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