Apple iPhone Air leak hints at ludicrously tiny battery

The sleek 5.8mm Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge didn’t quite get the reaction Samsung was hoping for at launch, mostly due to its modest 3,900mAh battery. But if you thought that was small, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air might take the crown for the most underwhelming battery of 2025.

That is, if a new rumour is to be believed. A new leak suggests that the upcoming ‘Air’ model from Apple could house a much smaller battery than the Galaxy S25 Edge to maintain its sleek form factor.

iPhone 17 Air battery capacity leaked

As per a new leak from a supply chain source, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air – reportedly just 5.5mm thick – could house a mere 2,800mAh battery. That’s over 1,000mAh less than what the Galaxy S25 Edge offers, and miles behind the 6,000–7,000mAh batteries now seen in some mainstream smartphones.

To mitigate the outrage, the leak claims Apple could be using a high-density battery tech that boosts capacity by around 15–20 per cent. But even with that, it still seems like a tough sell.

The iPhone 17 Air is also tipped to weigh just 145 grams, which is lighter than Samsung’s slim Edge model. But critics are already questioning whether that’s really a win if battery life takes a hit.

There’s also speculation that Apple may be intentionally keeping battery capacity low to push sales of its official battery cases. But, these accessories would just bring the device’s thickness closer to that of a regular iPhone, effectively defeating the point of the ultra-thin design.

ALSO READ: What are Silicon Carbon batteries, the tech that’s making batteries bigger and phones slimmer?

Another, slightly more optimistic report hints that Apple could be developing an AI-powered battery optimisation system to stretch out battery life and compensate for the reduced capacity. But the real question remains, why aren’t companies like Apple and Samsung embracing silicon carbon battery tech that could allow higher capacities in slimmer form factors?

Of course, none of this is confirmed, so take it with a large pinch of salt. But if it does turn out to be true, would you still consider buying the iPhone 17 Air? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for the latest updates from the world of tech.