Apple has officially published the battery capacities for the iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The figures were disclosed through mandatory EU energy labels and confirm earlier leaks from regulatory filings.
Compared to the previous generation, Apple has made noticeable improvements in certain models, particularly in the Pro series. The iPhone 17 Pro gains the largest year-over-year increase, while the new iPhone Air balances its ultra-thin design with a relatively modest cell size. These updates highlight how Apple continues to optimize battery life despite design changes and new hardware requirements.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 battery capacities
| iPhone 16 series (2024) | iPhone 17 series (2025) | Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Capacity (mAh) | Model | Capacity (mAh) | |
| iPhone 16 | 3,561 | iPhone 17 | 3,692 | +3.7% |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 4,674 | iPhone Air | 3,149 | Lineup shift (Air replaces Plus) |
| iPhone 16 Pro | 3,582 | iPhone 17 Pro | 4,252 | +18.7% |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 4,685 | iPhone 17 Pro Max | 5,088 | +8.6% |
Note: iPhone Air is eSIM-only worldwide and effectively replaces the Plus tier.
One of the most notable shifts is Apple’s decision to expand battery sizes in eSIM-only variants by using the space formerly taken by physical SIM card trays. The iPhone Air, which is eSIM-only worldwide, has a fixed capacity regardless of region. On the other hand, Apple notes that SIM tray-equipped models in the EU may differ slightly from their eSIM-only counterparts, though the published numbers likely apply across both configurations.
These increases, particularly the nearly 19% jump for the iPhone 17 Pro, are designed to deliver longer endurance alongside new power-hungry features such as brighter displays, advanced thermal management, and the latest A19 Pro chip. The Pro Max also sees a meaningful upgrade, cementing its place as Apple’s longest-lasting iPhone to date.
With Apple also offering an optional MagSafe Battery Pack specifically for the iPhone Air, the company is signaling that users of the thinnest iPhone may want an external solution for heavy daily use. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro should offer clear improvements in battery life compared to their direct predecessors, making them more reliable for all-day performance.
