The iPhone Air is the newest member of the iPhone 17 series and stands out primarily for its ultra-thin design. With a case thickness of just 5.6 millimeters and a slightly protruding camera, Apple once again focuses on a slim construction. But as thin as the iPhone Air is, the big question remains how it fares with battery life. After all, a few hours more or less can determine whether a smartphone will easily last the entire day or whether it needs to be plugged in early.
Apple itself claims the iPhone Air has "all-day battery life." While this phrase sounds promising, it remains vague. Only the technical specifications and test results will reveal how long the device actually lasts. Apple was also required to disclose battery capacities in milliampere hours (mAh) for the first time in the EU, which allows for interesting comparisons with other models in the iPhone 17 series and older generations.
Battery life according to Apple
According to Apple's official tests, the iPhone Air can last up to 27 hours of offline video playback. Streaming playback, which is considered more practical, lasts 22 hours. This puts it on par with last year's iPhone 16 Pro and surpasses models like the iPhone 16 (18 hours), the iPhone 16e (21 hours), and the entire iPhone 15 series, with the exception of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Compared to the new models in the iPhone 17 series, the picture is mixed:
- iPhone 17: 27 hours of streaming
- iPhone 17 Pro: 30 hours of streaming
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 35 hours of streaming
The iPhone Air falls short of the top models, but clearly ranks in the middle of the pack.
Battery capacity in mAh
In addition to the runtime information, Apple also lists the exact battery capacities, which now appear on the product pages thanks to EU regulations:
- iPhone Air: 3,149 mAh
- iPhone 17: 3,692 mAh (+3.7 mAh compared to the iPhone 16)
- iPhone 17 Pro: 4,252 mAh (+18.7 mAh compared to the iPhone 16 Pro)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5,088 mAh (+8.6 mAh compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max)
The iPhone 16 series was in comparison:
- iPhone 16: 3,561 mAh
- iPhone 16 Plus: 4,674 mAh
- iPhone 16 Pro: 3,582 mAh
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,685 mAh
The iPhone Air has a smaller battery capacity, but still achieves similar performance to the iPhone 16 Pro. This is due to several optimizations: the new C1X modem, the N1 radio chip, software features like Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26, and a redesigned internal layout that makes better use of battery space.
Accessories for longer runtime
Apple also introduced a new MagSafe battery accessory specifically for the iPhone Air. This suggests that the manufacturer anticipates that many users will need more power while on the go. The additional battery allows for flexible extension of battery life, which should be particularly interesting for frequent travelers or power users.
Practice vs. Theory
All figures are based on Apple's own tests. How close these figures are to actual usage will only be determined after independent reviews. However, previous experience with Apple figures suggests that the figures are at least within reach of reality. Especially when compared to older models, it's striking that the iPhone Air offers stable battery life, outperforming many of its predecessors.
iPhone Air: Slim design meets solid battery performance
The iPhone Air combines an extremely slim design with solid battery life. With 22 hours of streaming and 27 hours of video playback, it's not the most durable model in the current iPhone 17 series, but it's more than impressive compared to older generations. Anyone used to an iPhone 15, 14, or 13 (excluding the Pro Max variants) will at least match, or even experience longer, battery life with the iPhone Air. With its lightweight chassis, the latest generation of chips, and optional MagSafe accessories, the iPhone Air offers a good overall package. It's not the battery miracle of the series—that role is filled by the Pro Max models—but it shows that a thin design and practical battery life can certainly go hand in hand. (Image: Apple)
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