Recent iPhone 17 Air Leak Implies Enhanced Battery Life
**Final-Hour iPhone 17 Air Leak Provides Optimism For A Durable Battery**
The iPhone 17 launch presentation set for next Tuesday is set to unveil one of Apple’s most significant iPhone redesigns in recent years. The iPhone 17 Air will take the place of the Plus model in Apple’s September lineup, emerging as Apple’s slimmest iPhone yet. Numerous reports over the last few months have suggested that the iPhone 17 Air will be approximately 5.5mm thick, with dummy units further validating those claims.
With just days remaining until Apple’s iPhone 17 launch presentation, those claims are likely accurate. The iPhone 17 Air will introduce a new category of iPhone — a sleek device featuring a large-screen display. Reportedly, some compromises had to be made for this iPhone design. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to include a single-lens camera on the rear, lack a physical SIM card slot, and contain an ultra-thin battery. The last compromise is probably the most significant concern for any iPhone user contemplating an upgrade to the iPhone 17 Air.
A last-minute leak regarding the iPhone 17 Air appears to provide promising news about battery longevity, though it does not give specific estimates. Analysts at TrendForce suggest that the iPhone 17 Air will utilize a silicon anode battery, a type of smartphone battery that has surfaced in earlier leaks discussing Apple’s anticipated battery advancements for upcoming iPhone models. Silicon anode batteries use lithium-ion cells in which the graphite in the anode is partially substituted with silicon. This chemical modification can enhance battery life in thinner devices, as silicon bonds more effectively with lithium than graphite does. The outcome is a high-energy battery within a lighter frame.
**Our understanding of the iPhone 17 Air battery**
“The Air model will implement a silicon anode battery and eSIM setup to harmonize slimness with longevity,” TrendForce stated in a report on Thursday, the same analysis that suggested the iPhone 17 Air could be priced at $200 above the iPhone 16 Plus. The analysts did not elaborate on the “silicon anode battery” technology, and this mention might easily be missed. TrendForce also did not disclose the source of its information. It could be derived from supply chain contacts or could be an informed speculation based on the earlier iPhone 17 Air rumors.
However, TrendForce is not the first to reference novel iPhone battery technologies that may be in development. Speculation has previously circulated regarding stacked battery technologies for the iPhone this year. Prior to that, silicon iPhone batteries were mentioned in reports just as rivals were introducing phones equipped with silicon carbon batteries. Honor is an example of this, having launched this smartphone battery technology at MWC 2023.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst renowned for his accurate insights on unreleased products, reported in March that the foldable iPhone set for next year will utilize “the same high-density battery cells as the ultra-thin iPhone 17.” He did not clarify the battery technology Apple would employ in greater detail, but silicon anode batteries would fit the criteria.
**What is the expected lifespan of the iPhone 17 Air battery?**
Recently, rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 Air hinted at a battery capacity of below 3,000mAh. The battery would measure 2.49mm thick, making it roughly half as thick as the iPhone 17 Pro battery. The standard iPhone 16 model boasts a 3,561mAh battery that can last up to 22 hours based on Apple’s video playback estimates. The iPhone 16e has a larger 4,005mAh battery, effective for up to 26 hours of playback. The standard iPhone 17 might deliver similar battery performance to its predecessor.
In May, The Information reported that the iPhone 17 Air’s battery life would be inferior to earlier iPhones. Apple’s internal evaluations reportedly indicated that 60% to 70% of users would not need to recharge the iPhone 17 Air throughout the day. This figure is significantly lower than other iPhone models, where between 80% and 90% of users would not require a daytime recharge. The same report mentioned that Apple might introduce a battery case to address battery life concerns. Nevertheless, it did not provide battery life estimates, nor did it reveal the chemical makeup of the battery.
All these factors enhance the credibility of employing silicon anode batteries in the iPhone 17 Air. Apple will likely aim to provide the best possible battery life in the iPhone 17 Air and avoid facing consumer backlash. Conventional batteries may fall short. Additionally, Apple might need to incorporate similarly thin batteries in the foldable iPhone. The iPhone 17 Air would serve as an ideal testing ground for novel battery technologies.
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