Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is set to make headlines with its ultra-thin and lightweight design, but its battery capacity is drawing even more attention. According to recent leaks, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a 2,800mAh battery, which is significantly smaller than many of its competitors, including the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge that packs a 3,900mAh cell. This difference is particularly stark given that both phones are targeting the same thin-and-light flagship segment.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be just 5.5mm thick and weigh around 145 grams, making it slimmer and lighter than the Galaxy S25 Edge, which measures 5.8mm in thickness and weighs 163 grams. Apple’s pursuit of an ultra-thin profile appears to be the main reason for the smaller battery, as the company aims to deliver a device that stands out for its sleekness and portability.
However, the reduced battery size has sparked concerns about battery life, especially since the Galaxy S25 Edge-despite its larger 3,900mAh battery-only manages around 12 hours and 38 minutes of battery life in typical usage scenarios. To address these concerns, reports suggest that Apple may introduce advanced AI-powered battery optimization features in the next iOS release. This technology is expected to analyze user habits and dynamically adjust power settings to help extend battery life, potentially offsetting the impact of the smaller physical battery.
There is also speculation that Apple could use high-density or silicon-anode battery technology, which might boost the effective capacity by 15–20% without increasing the physical size. Still, even with these advancements, the iPhone 17 Air’s battery remains notably smaller by today’s flagship standards.
Other rumored specifications for the iPhone 17 Air include a 6.6-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a single rear camera, and possibly the new Apple A19 chipset with a power-efficient modem. The device is expected to launch alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 series later this year and could replace the Plus variant in Apple’s 2025 lineup.
In summary, the iPhone 17 Air will likely set new records for thinness and lightness in the smartphone market, but its much smaller battery compared to rivals like the Galaxy S25 Edge may be a trade-off that only advanced software and battery technology can hope to mitigate.