There are a variety of compelling causes to think about the brand new iPhone Air over the opposite units within the iPhone 17 lineup.
The iPhone Air is very thin — simply 5.6 mm, in comparison with the iPhone 17, which measures 7.8 mm. It additionally has the identical A19 Professional chip because the iPhone 17 Professional, a 48MP primary digital camera, a 6.5-inch show, and weighs simply 165 grams or 5.8 ounces. What’s to not like?
Nonetheless, there’s one main issue that must be taken into consideration earlier than you change into an iPhone Airhead — battery life. Apple breezed handed this within the announcement, saying it has “all-day battery life.” However what does that imply precisely? Let’s break it down.
iPhone Air battery life vs. iPhone 17
The iPhone Air sacrifices battery life for its slender profile.
Credit score: Apple
With out the battery pack (which we’ll get to in a minute), Apple says the iPhone Air has as much as 27 hours of battery life with video playback and as much as 22 hours with streaming video playback.
By comparability, Apple says the iPhone 17 has as much as 30 hours with video playback and as much as 27 hours of video playback whereas streaming.
So formally, the iPhone Air has a barely shorter battery life than the iPhone 17. The iPhone Air starts at $999, whereas the iPhone 17 begins at $799. So sure, you are getting a greater chipset and a thinner, lighter cellphone, however you are additionally paying extra for a shorter battery life.
Mashable Gentle Velocity
Thus far, different ultra-thin smartphones just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge have struggled with battery issues, and we count on the iPhone Air to face the identical challenges. Apple has a repair for that, albeit a problematic one.
What is the take care of the MagSafe battery pack?
iPhone Air on show at Apple Park after the iPhone launch occasion.
Credit score: CNET
Credit score: CNET
In case you missed it, on the very finish of the iPhone Air unveiling, Apple launched a slim MagSafe Battery acessory. With the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery hooked up, your new iPhone Air will get 40 hours of video playback (and as much as 35 hours with streaming), Apple says.
That is positively a lift that provides you much more than the iPhone 17 Pro, which affords as much as 39 hours of video playback. For those who’re shopping for the iPhone Air, you will most likely need that further battery, because it already has the shortest battery lifetime of the entire lineup. However you will need to pay $99 for that prolonged energy.
Plus, including a MagSafe battery pack type of defeats your complete objective of the ultra-slim profile, proper?
The battery pack appears to considerably alter the profile of the iPhone 17 Air, as you possibly can see in the course of the livestream.
The iPhone Air with MagSafe Battery hooked up. Not so skinny now, is it?
Credit score: Apple
In the end, it is a matter of priorities. In order for you the slimmest profile and also you’re prepared to compromise on longevity, the iPhone Air might be a great match. But when the most effective battery life doable is a very powerful issue, put together to go a little bit bulkier.
iPhone Air battery life vs. iPhone 16
Let’s run one other comparability. The iPhone Air has an extended battery life than the iPhone 16, which Apple says is as much as 22 hours of video playback. So it is positively an improve from final 12 months’s mannequin in that sense. The iPhone 16 simply dropped to $699, so the iPhone Air is kind of a bit costlier in comparison with the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16, however within the center by way of battery life.
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