Apple seems ready to sacrifice battery life for a phone thinner than a sheet of A4 paper. The upcoming iPhone 17 Air will impress with its design, but will it last a day? Not so sure.
As Apple prepares its new iPhone lineup for 2025, the 17 Air model is already making waves. With a record thickness of 5.5 mm, it will be the brand's thinnest smartphone, even surpassing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (5.8 mm). But behind this attractive design will likely hide a major flaw: limited battery life that could put off more than one person.
According to exclusive information from The Information, the iPhone 17 Air would struggle to last a full day on a single charge. While 80 to 90% of users of other iPhone models easily reach the evening without recharging, this rate would drop to 60-70% for those who were able to test the 17 Air. In short, a third of owners would have to plug in their device in the middle of the day. A problem directly linked to its extreme thinness, which leaves little room for the battery.
A high-end design, but compromises
To get around the problem, Apple is reportedly developing a case incorporating an additional battery. A practical solution, but one that would add thickness to a device designed to be minimalist. Another sacrifice: the 17 Air would lose one of its speakers, offering reduced sound quality compared to other iPhones.
Marketing in China could also pose a problem. Without a physical SIM card slot, replaced by the eSIM, the model may not meet certain local regulations. On the production side, Apple remains cautious. Only 10% of manufacturing capacity would be allocated to the 17 Air, compared to 40% for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the traditional best-selling star. The company is clearly banking on a niche audience willing to sacrifice battery life for a revolutionary design.
Despite these limitations, the 17 Air could appeal thanks to its 6.6-inch screen, halfway between the Pro and Pro Max versions. An ideal format for those looking for a large screen without the maximalist format. It remains to be seen whether users will agree to carry a charger with them or a special case that will make the device heavier. The answer will be in September, upon its official release. In the meantime, it's best to plan to purchase an external battery with the smartphone.
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