Apple is expected to launch a brand-new ultra-thin model, the iPhone 17 Air, this fall. However, the latest leaks may have just crushed the dreams of excited fans.

iPhone 17 Air and the latest leaks

While previous rumors focused on the iPhone 17 Air’s sleek design and slim camera module, new information has emerged about its weight and battery capacity.

According to the Korean blog Naver, citing the account “yeux1122,” the iPhone 17 Air will feature a 6.6-inch display, weigh around 145g, and carry a 2,800mAh battery. These details reportedly come from a “confirmed model entering mass production.” The blog has previously made accurate predictions about Apple’s component strategies.

The expected weight is comparable to the iPhone SE 2 (148g) and iPhone 13 mini (141g). As for battery life, the 2,800mAh battery mirrors the iPhone 12’s 2,815mAh capacity.

However, the post notes that Apple might adopt high-density battery technology, potentially boosting actual capacity by 15–20%.

Well-known Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also reported in March that the iPhone 17 Air would feature a high-density battery. More recently, an Asian news outlet stated the phone could be the first iPhone to use next-gen silicon anode battery technology, with supplier TDK preparing to ship the new batteries by late June.

Despite this, reports remain mixed regarding the phone’s real-world battery performance. According to The Information, internal Apple testing shows only 60–70% of users could make it through an entire day on a single charge. By comparison, most current iPhones support 80–90% of users through a full day.

To address this limitation, Apple is reportedly planning to offer a battery-integrated case as an optional accessory for the iPhone 17 Air.

The ultra-thin device, measuring just 5.5mm thick, is also rumored to include Apple’s C1 low-power modem and forgo an Ultra Wide camera - potentially freeing up internal space for a slightly larger battery.

iPhone 17 Air’s fatal flaw

After the Galaxy S25 Edge launched to underwhelming reviews, fans of slim, high-end smartphones placed their hopes in Apple’s upcoming flagship. But the latest leaks may have dashed those expectations: the iPhone 17 Air will reportedly ship with a sub-2,800mAh battery - an underwhelming spec for a premium phone in 2025.

Consider Motorola’s Moto Z, released in 2016 with a 2,600mAh battery and a 5.2mm thickness. Despite its groundbreaking design, the phone failed largely due to its poor battery life.

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a 2,800mAh battery, a titanium body, a 5.5mm profile, and a weight of 145g. The screen size will reportedly grow from 5.5 inches to 6.6 inches - though that’s another story.

With this modest battery, Apple is seemingly dragging users back to the iPhone 12 era, when devices had similarly small batteries. Since then, all non-mini iPhones have offered much larger battery capacities.

In 2025, few users will accept a high-end smartphone with a sub-3,000mAh battery. Even if Apple optimizes iOS and leverages high-density cells, the small battery could undermine the iPhone 17 Air’s performance. It would be hard for the phone to deliver solid battery life with such limited capacity.

At just 5.5mm thick, the iPhone 17 Air is a dramatic departure from the 8.3mm-thick iPhone 16 Pro Max. But making such extreme sacrifices for thinness might not be worth it. Apple would be better off striking a more balanced approach between form and function.

The iPhone 17 Air could be Apple’s chance to create a lightweight, modern, and power-efficient smartphone. But if the rumors of a 2,800mAh battery and ultra-thin chassis prove accurate, Apple may be prioritizing aesthetics at the cost of user experience. A beautiful phone with disappointing performance is, ultimately, still a failed product.

Watch the iPhone 17 Air concept video. (Source: zellzoi)

Hai Phong (MacRumors, PhoneArena)