There are various reasons to prefer the new iPhone Air instead of other options in the iPhone 17 series. The iPhone Air boasts a remarkable thinness of only 5.6 mm, unlike the iPhone 17’s 7.8 mm. It incorporates the same A19 Pro chip as the iPhone 17 Pro, a 48MP primary camera, a 6.5-inch screen, and weighs merely 165 grams or 5.8 ounces. However, an important consideration is battery longevity. Apple briefly referred to “all-day battery life” during its announcement, but what does it truly imply?
iPhone Air battery life vs. iPhone 17
The iPhone Air compromises on battery longevity due to its sleek design. In the absence of the battery pack, Apple asserts that the iPhone Air delivers up to 27 hours of video playback and up to 22 hours when streaming video. In contrast, the iPhone 17 provides up to 30 hours of video playback and up to 27 hours for streaming. Officially, the iPhone Air offers a marginally shorter battery life compared to the iPhone 17. The cost of the iPhone Air begins at $999, while the iPhone 17 starts at $799. You receive a superior chipset and a more lightweight, thinner phone, but at a higher price for lesser battery longevity. Other ultra-slim smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge have had battery problems, and the iPhone Air is projected to face similar issues. Apple presents a solution, albeit one that may have its drawbacks.
What’s the situation with the MagSafe battery pack?
At the conclusion of the iPhone Air launch, Apple revealed a slim MagSafe Battery accessory. When the MagSafe Battery is attached to the iPhone Air, it reportedly allows for 40 hours of video playback (and up to 35 hours with streaming), according to Apple. This surpasses the iPhone 17 Pro, which provides up to 39 hours of video playback. If you’re purchasing the iPhone Air, you’ll probably desire the additional battery, as it has the least battery life of the series. However, acquiring that extended power will cost you $99. Utilizing a MagSafe battery pack somewhat undermines the purpose of the ultra-thin design. The added battery pack considerably changes the profile of the iPhone 17 Air, as observed during the livestream.
In the end, it’s about what you prioritize. If having the thinnest profile is your main objective and you’re willing to sacrifice battery longevity, the iPhone Air could be the right choice for you. However, if optimal battery life is what you value most, be ready for a device that’s a bit bulkier.
iPhone Air battery life vs. iPhone 16
The iPhone Air’s battery life surpasses that of the iPhone 16, which Apple claims offers up to 22 hours of video playback. This represents an improvement from last year’s model in that aspect. The iPhone 16 has recently been priced down to $699, making the iPhone Air pricier compared to both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16, but it occupies a middle ground regarding battery life.