Apple Developing Battery Case for iPhone 17 Air Amid Battery Life Concerns [Report]

Apple's working on an optional battery case for its upcoming ultrathin iPhone 17 Air, The Information reports today. It seems this accessory is planned specifically to help make up for the shorter battery life expected with the phone's super-slim design.

The new thin iPhone, expected later this year, is reportedly around 5.5 millimeters thick. While this would make it Apple's thinnest phone yet, internal testing suggests its battery life will be shorter than previous models. Sources indicate only 60% to 70% of users might get through a full day on a single charge, compared to 80% to 90% for other iPhones.

To counteract this, Apple is working on a dedicated phone case for the thin model that includes an integrated battery pack, according to three people familiar with the development. This optional purchase would offer users a way to extend the device's daily usage time.


Getting the phone that thin apparently comes with other trade-offs, too. Reports suggest it will only have one speaker, not the usual stereo setup, and just a single camera on the back, unlike the multiple lenses found on Pro models.

The thin model might also run into issues selling in China. It reportedly relies only on eSIM technology, which hasn't gotten the green light from regulators there yet for smartphones. Because of questions about how well it will sell and these design choices, Apple's manufacturing partners are said to be holding back, dedicating only about 10% of initial production capacity to this new phone.

We've seen numerous leaks that claim to reveal the shockingly thin design for the iPhone 17 Air. You can check out a couple hands-on videos here:
● Hands-On With 'iPhone 17 Air' Dummy Reveals 'Scary Thin' Design [Video]
● New Hands-On iPhone 17 Dummy Video Shows Off Ultra-Thin Air Model, Updated Pro Designs [Video]

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