iPhone 17 Battery and Charging: All expected changes
The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to launch in September 2025. Alongside the standard iPhone 17, we’re getting a new iPhone 17 Air (replacing the Plus), as well as the more premium iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
While you won’t see eye-popping 200W charging claims or battery capacities nearing 6,000mAh, Apple could introduce other small upgrades when it comes to the battery.
From stacked battery tech and easier replacements to rumors of long-awaited reverse wireless charging and greater efficiency thanks to the A19 chip, there's a lot to look forward to under the hood. Here's everything we know so far about the battery life and charging experience across the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 series rumored battery upgrades
Apple isn’t expected to overhaul battery capacity in 2025. So you won't see any of those massive 5,000–6,000mAh cells you’d find on some Android phones coming from the Chinese market. However, the real upgrades lie elsewhere…
All iPhone 17 models are expected to continue using stacked battery technology, first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro. These batteries are denser and more thermally stable, which helps with long-term battery health and lifespan.
Apple’s electric adhesive is also likely to return, allowing easier battery replacements by weakening the glue with a small electric current — a quiet but important win for repairability.
Will the iPhone 17 series have better battery life?
Chances are yes, especially for the Pro models.
The standard iPhone 17 and the new iPhone 17 Air will likely use the new Apple A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max models will feature the A19 Pro. While it’s not clear yet whether these will be 3nm or 2nm chips, even a refined 3nm chip could bring better energy efficiency.
Add to that the rumored Wi-Fi 7 support, possibly more efficient custom Apple 5G modems, and new OLED M14 panels with lower power consumption across the lineup — and the iPhone 17 series could very well last longer on a single charge, even if battery sizes remain similar.
Another rumored innovation is Apple Intelligence-powered battery optimization, expected to debut with iOS 19. The feature is said to analyze your usage patterns and dynamically reduce background activity or lower performance for specific apps when needed.
Will the iPhone 17 series have better battery life?
Chances are yes — but mostly for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are rumored to run on the Apple A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max will use the more advanced A19 Pro. These chips are expected to be built on a refined 3nm process, potentially improving energy efficiency.
The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are rumored to run on the Apple A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max will use the more advanced A19 Pro. These chips are expected to be built on a refined 3nm process, potentially improving energy efficiency.
| Model | Expected Battery Capacity |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | ~3,600 mAh |
| iPhone 17 Air | ~2,800 mAh mAh |
| iPhone 17 Pro | ~3,700 mAh |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | ~4,700 mAh |
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be ultra-thin at just 5.5 mm thick and weighing only 145 grams. But that sleek design comes at a cost: a significantly smaller battery than even last year’s base models, and one of the smallest in a modern iPhone. For comparison, Samsung’s slim Galaxy S25 Edge has a 3,900 mAh battery — still small, but noticeably larger than Apple’s new Air.
Despite some rumors of denser battery chemistry, there’s no concrete evidence Apple is using newer tech like silicon-carbon cells. That means most of the burden of achieving acceptable battery life will fall on software optimizations, including Apple Intelligence — which, to date, hasn’t proven to be that effective.
Despite some rumors of denser battery chemistry, there’s no concrete evidence Apple is using newer tech like silicon-carbon cells. That means most of the burden of achieving acceptable battery life will fall on software optimizations, including Apple Intelligence — which, to date, hasn’t proven to be that effective.
iPhone 17 series rumored charging upgrades
While there's still no sign of faster charging speeds, one long-rumored feature is finally expected to arrive: reverse wireless charging.
According to multiple sources, Apple is testing 7.5W reverse wireless charging on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. This would let you charge accessories like your AirPods or Apple Watch using the back of your phone — a feature Android users have enjoyed for years.
Qi2 support, however, still hasn’t been confirmed for this generation.
According to multiple sources, Apple is testing 7.5W reverse wireless charging on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. This would let you charge accessories like your AirPods or Apple Watch using the back of your phone — a feature Android users have enjoyed for years.
Qi2 support, however, still hasn’t been confirmed for this generation.
How fast will the iPhone 17 series charge?
Don’t expect a revolution here. Apple remains conservative with fast charging.
Charging speeds will likely remain capped at around 27–30W for wired charging. That’s similar to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series, which reached a full charge in about 90–100 minutes during our tests. Expect the same range for the iPhone 17 lineup, though the smaller battery in the iPhone 17 Air should mean it charges a bit faster.
Charging speeds will likely remain capped at around 27–30W for wired charging. That’s similar to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series, which reached a full charge in about 90–100 minutes during our tests. Expect the same range for the iPhone 17 lineup, though the smaller battery in the iPhone 17 Air should mean it charges a bit faster.
Will the iPhone 17 series have wireless charging?
Yes, all iPhone 17 models will support wireless charging. Wireless charging will be up to 15W with MagSafe.
Will the iPhone 17 series have reverse wireless charging?
Yes — at least on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, according to leaks.
Apple is reportedly testing 7.5W reverse wireless charging, which would bring the iPhone in line with many Android flagships. This would be a first for Apple.
Apple is reportedly testing 7.5W reverse wireless charging, which would bring the iPhone in line with many Android flagships. This would be a first for Apple.
No word yet on whether the iPhone 17 or 17 Air will support it, but it’s more likely to remain exclusive to the Pro models.
What charger will the iPhone 17 series use?
The entire iPhone 17 lineup will use USB-C with USB Power Delivery (USB PD), just like the iPhone 15 and 16.
Apple’s approach to charging is more open compared to some Android phones:
Apple’s approach to charging is more open compared to some Android phones:
- You don’t need a proprietary charger to get near-full charging speeds.
- High-quality third-party PD chargers (like those from Anker or Ugreen) will work just fine.
- Apple doesn’t use any weird voltage profiles, unlike Xiaomi, OnePlus, or Motorola.
In contrast:
- Xiaomi’s HyperCharge, Motorola’s TurboPower, Honor SuperCharge, and OnePlus/Vivo/Oppo VOOC rely on custom voltage and current profiles. You won’t get full speed unless you use the original charger and cable.
- With iPhones, all you require is a solid USB PD charger and a USB-C to USB-C cable. No proprietary nonsense, just plug and go. Same goes for Samsung and Google.
As usual, no charger is expected in the box — so if you're upgrading, make sure your charger supports at least 27W USB PD.
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