iPhone Air: What Tim Cook reveals about the battery

Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke about the iPhone Air's battery life in a new interview – answering one of the key questions surrounding the new device. During a visit to the Corning factory in Kentucky, Cook spoke with CNBC anchor Jim Cramer about the latest product announcements and Apple's investments in US manufacturing, focusing on the iPhone Air.

The Corning factory in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, has been a close partner of Apple for years. Among other things, the glass for iPhones and Apple Watches is produced there. During the visit, Tim Cook and Jim Cramer conducted two video interviews. The first focused on new products, the second on Apple's strategic plans to strengthen US manufacturing. They were accompanied by Wendell Weeks, CEO of Corning. Particularly interesting: Cook used the opportunity to show off the iPhone 17 Pro in the new "Cosmic Orange" color and at the same time officially unveil the iPhone Air. The claims regarding the iPhone Air's battery life attracted particular attention—especially since many had previously been skeptical.

iPhone Air: Compact form factor, Pro performance

With the iPhone Air, Apple is pursuing a clear course. It's not a slimmed-down version, but a device with pro performance in a smaller format. This was already clear in a previous interview with the Wall Street Journal, in which Apple executives explained that they wanted to create a device that represents a genuine alternative to the iPhone 17 Pro—with comparable performance but a more compact design. Cook reiterated this view in his interview with Cramer. He described the iPhone Air as a kind of technological balancing act: small, powerful, and designed to leave users vacillating between the two models.

Battery life: Surprise due to eSIM strategy

During the conversation, Cramer openly addressed what many had suspected: that the iPhone Air's battery life would be significantly shorter due to its smaller casing. Cook emphatically disagreed. According to Cook, the battery life is "great." This was made possible by a fundamental change in design: The iPhone Air supports only eSIM and completely dispenses with a physical SIM card slot. This allowed the battery to be larger in places where the SIM hardware was previously installed. According to Cook, this space-saving construction was developed from the ground up. The result is battery life that makes no compromises despite the compact design. Apple is focusing on internal optimization without making it noticeable on the outside – a typical Apple approach.

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Manufacturing in the USA: Corning as a strategic partner

The second part of the interview focused on Apple's collaboration with Corning. New investments by Apple will place the long-established glass manufacturer in a central role. The factory in Harrodsburg will be further expanded and modernized for the production of iPhone and Apple Watch glass. The investments are part of Apple's so-called "American Manufacturing Program." Over the next four years, a total of around 600 billion dollars will be invested in initiatives to promote US manufacturing and infrastructure. The goal is to shorten supply chains, reduce dependencies, and simultaneously further develop technological standards in the USA. For devices like the iPhone Air, this means not only higher-quality glass, but also shorter development paths and greater control over production processes. The relocation of component manufacturing to America represents an important strategic step for Apple.

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iPhone Air as a new balance between size and performance

The iPhone Air will be positioned between the iPhone 17 Pro and the standard iPhone series. It offers professional hardware in a smaller package without compromising on performance or battery life. The decision to go eSIM-only was a key factor in creating space for a larger battery. At the same time, the collaboration with Corning demonstrates that Apple is also breaking new ground in manufacturing – with a focus on quality, control, and US production. The iPhone Air thus represents not only technological advancements but also structural changes within Apple. Anyone who follows developments surrounding Apple will recognize that the iPhone Air is not simply a new model, but part of a larger strategy – technical, economic, and political. (Image: Apple)