It has long been known that Apple is working on the iPhone 17 Air, expected to replace the underperforming “Plus” model. This new device, which will sit alongside the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, will focus on thinness, as its name suggests.

However, this ambitious thinness may come at a high price. According to leaks, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a single rear camera for this design and, more importantly, a significantly smaller battery.

The iPhone 17 Air may only come with a 2,900 mAh battery

Images leaked today, purportedly of the iPhone 17 Air’s battery, confirm these concerns. According to reliable leakers, the battery in the photos has a capacity of only around 2,900 mAh.

This figure represents a worryingly low capacity even for iPhones known for their power efficiency. For comparison: It’s worth noting that the standard iPhone 16 model uses a 3,561 mAh battery.

However, it’s believed Apple will attempt to compensate for this disadvantage with some technological innovations. Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air’s battery will feature the steel-plated technology expected to first appear in the iPhone 16 Pro series.

The steel chassis is expected to preserve battery life by dissipating heat more efficiently thanks to its greater structural strength and offer higher density per unit area. This chassis is also said to perfectly complement the phone’s smaller motherboard and L-shaped interior design.