iPhone 17 Leak: Battery capacities and eSIM benefits revealed

This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.

Make Apfelpatient a preferred source One click – and you'll see us more often on Google

Shortly before Apple's big "awe-dropping" event, new information about the iPhone 17 has surfaced. This time, it's about the battery capacities of the upcoming models. A well-known leaker has published concrete figures, which not only show significant improvements in the Pro models, but also a previously unknown advantage for devices equipped exclusively with eSIM.

Only a few days remain until the official Apple event, where the entire iPhone 17 series will be unveiled. In addition to the smartphones, new AirPods Pro 3 and several Apple Watch models are also on the agenda. But before the stage opens, leaks are already providing exciting insights. ShrimpApplePro, a reliable Apple leaker, has reportedly published the exact battery capacities of the new iPhones. Particularly interesting: eSIM-only versions are expected to offer noticeably longer battery life, as Apple is making sensible use of the space they free up for the first time.

Battery capacities of the iPhone 17 models

The published figures provide a detailed overview of the entire model range:

iPhone 17: 3692 mAh, which is 3.6 % more than the iPhone 16
iPhone 17 Air: 3149 mAh or 3036 mAh, about 48 % less than the iPhone 16 Plus, but higher than previously reported
iPhone 17 Pro: 4252 mAh or 3988 mAh, up to 18.6 % more than the iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5088 mAh or 4823 mAh, up to 8.6 % more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max

This paints a mixed picture. The standard model only gets a small increase, while the iPhone 17 Air loses significantly in capacity compared to the iPhone 16 Plus, but still exceeds previously expected values. The Pro models, on the other hand, get the biggest boost and should deliver noticeably longer battery life in everyday use.

Advantage of eSIM-only devices

The difference between models with a physical SIM card tray and the pure eSIM variants is particularly striking. For the first time, Apple is actually using the space created by removing the SIM slot for the battery. In previous years, there was only a rubber placeholder. The additional capacity looks like this:

iPhone 17 Air: 3.7 % more battery capacity
iPhone 17 Pro: 6.6 % more battery capacity
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5.5 % more battery capacity

For the standard iPhone 17, there's no separate specification for eSIM-only models, presumably because the device's design is still very similar to the iPhone 16. For the other models, however, this means that eSIM offers a real, practical advantage for the first time—not only in terms of design, but directly in the form of longer battery life.

Apple's strategy with eSIM

Apple is expanding the availability of eSIM-only models to additional regions this year. The fact that this now also offers increased battery performance could significantly increase the acceptance of this technology. Those who have previously hesitated to switch to eSIM will have a clear incentive with the iPhone 17. However, the development remains unusual for the iPhone 17 Air. With almost half the capacity compared to the iPhone 16 Plus, the decision seems drastic at first glance. However, the fact that the figure is still higher than in previous reports shows that Apple is apparently seeking a new balance between size, weight, and battery performance.

iPhone 17 strengthens eSIM strategy and battery performance

The leaked data on the iPhone 17 points to an exciting development. The Pro models, in particular, benefit from noticeably larger batteries, while eSIM-only devices, for the first time, have a measurable advantage over models with a SIM card tray. If the leak proves true, the iPhone 17 series marks an important step: longer battery life thanks to clever use of space and a clear strengthening of the eSIM strategy. (Image: MajinBu)