Leaked photographs circulating on 2 August suggest Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 17 Air will ship with a 2,900 mAh battery—significantly smaller than the 3,561 mAh cell inside last year’s iPhone 16. The component is shown encased in a thin steel shell, mirroring the construction method Apple introduced on the iPhone 16 Pro to improve heat dissipation and structural rigidity. The lower-capacity battery appears to be a trade-off for the handset’s ultra-slim 5.5 mm profile, which would make the model thinner than both the 7.8 mm iPhone 16 and Samsung’s 5.8 mm Galaxy S25 Edge. Apple is also expected to use an “ionic liquid” adhesive that can be loosened electrically, easing battery replacement and potentially improving repairability. The iPhone 17 Air is widely reported to replace the under-performing iPhone Plus line when the iPhone 17 family is introduced, with an unveiling tipped for the week of 8 September. Apple has not commented on the leak, but the images reignite questions over whether software efficiencies in iOS 26 will be enough to offset the reduced battery capacity in day-to-day use.