Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup has raised plenty of debate over the past week, not solely because of its design and performance, but also because of how long each device lasts on a single charge, especially the iPhone Air. With more people relying on their phones for work and daily communication, battery life has become one of the major factors when users make a decision to get a certain model. With that said, the battery difference between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone Air is quite interesting, and it will guide you on what model to get.
The iPhone Air’s sleek, ultra-thin design struggles to deliver battery life compared to the long-lasting iPhone 17 Pro Max
According to an iPhone 17 battery test conducted by Tom’s Guide, we will finally know if the iPhone Air can hold up for an entire day when it comes to day-to-day tasks. All models were tested through continuous 5G web browsing at 150 nits of brightness, and the results paint a clear picture of how each model stacks up against the others. You can check out the results below for more details:
- iPhone 17 Air - 12 hours and 2 minutes
- iPhone 17 - 12 hours and 47 minutes
- iPhone 17 Pro - 15 hours and 32 minutes
- iPhone 17 Pro Max - 17 hours and 54 minutes
The results are quite surprising, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasting for one and a half times longer than the iPhone Air, giving it about 48 percent more endurance in this controlled test. The results are as expected when it comes to the iPhone Air, as the device was built to be ultra-portable and slim, which naturally limits the size of its battery. On the flip side, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has more physical room for a larger battery, allowing it to deliver far longer usage between charges. For users who spend most of their time away from outlets, that difference could be the deciding factor when picking a model.
Apple’s own estimates for offline video playback tell a similar story, with the iPhone Air rated for 27 hours, the iPhone 17 for 30 hours, the iPhone 17 Pro for 33 hours, and the biggest iPhone 17 Pro Max for 39 hours. These numbers closely align with Tom’s Guide’s real-world tests, reinforcing that the Pro Max is the undisputed leader in the lineup when it comes to battery life.
What’s interesting is that the iPhone Air’s battery life should be enough for most people with casual usage behavior to last an entire day on a single charge. However, those who play games or stream content for longer should switch to the Pro Max. If you really want to enjoy the thinner form factor of the iPhone Air, it would be wise to get a battery pack. We will cover additional real-world battery life tests under different circumstances, so be sure to keep an eye out.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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