Apple iPhone 17 Air Battery Capacity Is Only 62% Compared To Pro Max Model

Understanding iPhone 17 Battery Capacities: A Closer Look

Apple has long maintained a somewhat enigmatic approach to disclosing the milliampere-hour (mAh) battery capacities of its iPhone range. Instead of providing straightforward specifications, the tech giant prefers to highlight metrics like video playback time for differentiating its devices. This strategy has led to confusion among consumers trying to assess battery life across various iPhone models.

In the European Union (EU), however, Apple is required by stringent regulations to divulge detailed specifications, including the battery capacities of its smartphones. Absent these mandates, enthusiasts and analysts often rely on post-launch teardowns to uncover this hidden information.

iPhone 17 battery sizes and percent of Max:-iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5088 mAh (100%)-iPhone Pro: 4252 mAh (84%)-iPhone 17: 3692 mAh (73%)-iPhone Air: 3149 mAh (62%) https://t.co/J5eUoplrJ5

— Patrick Moorhead (@PatrickMoorhead) September 13, 2025

Recently, Apple’s product information pages for the German market have revealed the exact battery capacities for each variant of the iPhone 17 series. It is important to note that the capacity mentioned in the tweet above for the iPhone 17 Pro Max refers to the eSIM variant, which can accommodate a slightly larger battery due to the absence of a physical SIM card slot.

Notably, the iPhone 17 Air stands out for having the smallest battery capacity in the series. At just 62 percent of the energy capacity of the Pro Max model, it lags around 11 percent behind the base iPhone 17. This reflects the challenges of balancing a slim profile with adequate battery life, particularly given the Air’s sleek titanium unibody design.

To address the Air’s comparatively limited battery capacity, Apple has introduced a new MagSafe battery pack, which adds an impressive 65 percent more energy capacity. This accessory enables users to enjoy up to 40 hours of video playback, far exceeding the device’s standalone capabilities. Additionally, the new MagSafe battery pack supports 12W fast charging and incorporates an intelligent battery management system that helps optimize its performance.

Even without the MagSafe battery pack, Apple claims that the iPhone 17 Air is capable of lasting an entire day. With up to 27 hours of video playback, this longevity is powered by the efficient A19 Pro processor, the energy-conscious N1 wireless networking chip, and the CX1 modem, which collectively enhance the phone’s overall efficiency.

For those curious about the intricate details of Apple’s latest offerings, the revelations about the iPhone 17 series’ battery capacities provide valuable insights that are often hard to come by in the mainstream tech discourse.

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