Latest news with #SmartBatteryCase
GSM Arena
05-05-2025
- GSM Arena
Apple to bring back battery case for iPhone 17 Air
Apple is expected to launch its iPhone 17 Air this fall, marking a return of the slim phone trend. With the device rumored to measure just 5.65mm, Apple will naturally have to cut some corners, including the device's battery capacity, rumored to be in the 3,000 – 4,000mAh range. iPhone 17 Air dummy unit (credit: Unbox Therapy) We now get a new set of details about a possible return of the Smart Battery Case, which would help extend the phone's runtime. A new report from The Information reveals that Apple is planning to bring back the Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 17 Air. Apple's journey with battery cases began in 2015 with the official Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 6s and continued until the iPhone 11 series. iPhone 11 and 11 Pro Smart Battery Case Cupertino then moved to MagSafe Battery Pack with the iPhone 12 generation, which was later discontinued in 2023 shortly after the iPhone 15 launch According to the new report, early internal tests by Apple determined that only 60-70% of iPhone 17 Air users will get a full day's use without needing a recharge throughout the day. For reference, the figures stand at 80% - 90% for the other iPhone 17 models. The new report also mentions that Apple suppliers are only dedicating around 10% of their production capacity to the iPhone 17 Air due to uncertainties with demand. We also get confirmation that the device will feature a single rear camera, one speaker and no SIM card slot. Source (paywall)
Tom's Guide
05-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
iPhone 17 Air's reportedly weak battery life could force this ugly compromise
The iPhone 17 Air is set to be the thinnest iPhone ever, with an estimated depth of just 5.5mm, according to reports. That svelteness will inevitably come with a hit to battery life, however, and a new report from The Information highlights just how serious a drawback this may be for power users. According to the site's sources, between 60% and 70% of users will be able to go a single day without recharging the super-thin model. While that sounds like a decent return in the abstract, for the other models, it's somewhere between 80% and 90%. In other words, if you struggle to get through the day on a single charge on your current iPhone, then the Air probably isn't for you. Not without investing in one of the best power banks, anyway. But it sounds like Apple has a plan to counter this for power users: the return of an accessory that we haven't seen in quite some time. 'To solve this,' the report explains, 'Apple is developing an optional accessory—a phone case meant for the thin model that also contains a battery pack, according to three people familiar with the matter.' That sounds a lot like the Smart Battery Case that Apple introduced with the iPhone 6s. It was discontinued with the iPhone 12 and the introduction of MagSafe, which allowed magnetic battery packs to adhere to the back of the phone for wireless charging. Hopefully, that's not an early indication that Apple will be stripping MagSafe support from the iPhone 17 Air as it did with the iPhone 16e. After all, it would surely make more sense for Apple just to restart production of its official MagSafe battery pack which could be used for all iPhones, rather than a battery case that only fits one. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. While a case is an undoubtedly convenient way of adding extra capacity to a smartphone, it's an odd choice for the iPhone 17 Air specifically, as this is a handset that is designed to put style ahead of substance. Lest we forget, the Smart Battery Case was an odd-looking accessory that provided its extra stamina by bulging the back of compatible iPhones in an uneven manner. It certainly was not aesthetically pleasing, as the picture above will remind you. Maybe Apple has a more attractive design in mind this time around, but if not, it feels like it would be a tough sell, even to the most loyal of iPhone users. The whole appeal of the iPhone 17 Air is set to be its lightweight, stylish design. If it needs to lose that to be good for power users, then why wouldn't you just buy a thicker iPhone 17 model with a larger battery to begin with? This doubt may be reflected in Apple's projections. The Information's article states that just 10% of iPhone 17 manufacturing capacity is being reserved for the iPhone 17 Air, which suggests the company isn't confident it will be a runaway success. By contrast, the report says that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro will account for 25% each, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max taking the remaining 40%. We're still about five months away from the iPhone 17's expected September launch, so there's plenty of time for more to emerge about Apple's accessory plans before then. For now, check out our iPhone 17 Air hub for all the latest rumors and leaks.
