Apple’s biggest event of the year, the “Awe Dropping” September 9, 2025 keynote, is just around the corner. The iPhone 17 series is set to debut, but leaks around the devices continue to dominate headlines. The latest leak from reliable tipster ShrimpApplePro sheds light on the battery upgrades coming with the iPhone 17 lineup.
According to reports, almost every model in the iPhone 17 series will feature larger batteries compared to the iPhone 16 lineup. Importantly, the capacity boost will mainly be available in eSIM-only variants, as Apple looks to take advantage of the extra space freed up by the removal of the physical SIM tray in some regions.
iPhone 17 Air – Small but Noticeable Upgrade
For the entry-level iPhone 17 Air, the physical SIM variant is expected to feature a 3036mAh battery, while the eSIM-only model will have a slightly larger 3149mAh battery.
iPhone 17 Pro – A Significant Step Up
The iPhone 16 Pro launched in 2024 with a 3582mAh battery. This year, Apple could push the capacity further:
- iPhone 17 Pro (Physical SIM) – 3988mAh
- iPhone 17 Pro (eSIM-only) – 4252mAh
This is a substantial increase that could translate into much longer screen-on time and efficiency gains.
iPhone 17 Pro Max – Breaking the 5000mAh Barrier
The real star of the lineup is expected to be the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max shipped with a 4685mAh battery. For 2025, the upgrades could be:
- iPhone 17 Pro Max (Physical SIM) – 4823mAh
- iPhone 17 Pro Max (eSIM-only) – 5088mAh
If accurate, this would make the iPhone 17 Pro Max the first iPhone to ever cross the 5000mAh mark. Given that iPhones already outperform many Android flagships in endurance tests thanks to Apple’s hardware–software optimisation, the Pro Max could set a new benchmark in battery life.
What About India?
In markets like the US, Apple has already switched to eSIM-only iPhones. Reports suggest that the iPhone 17 series could expand eSIM-only models to more regions, including the EU.
However, in countries like India and China, Apple is unlikely to drop the physical SIM slot just yet. This means Indian users will probably get the 4823mAh variant of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, rather than the 5088mAh eSIM-only model. Still, the boost over last year’s 4685mAh battery should be significant enough for even heavy users.
Apple vs Android – Battery Optimisation Matters
While Apple is just about to cross the 5000mAh threshold, many Android smartphones already pack 6000mAh to 7000mAh batteries. But thanks to Apple’s tight ecosystem and power-efficient chipsets, iPhones typically deliver longer endurance despite having smaller cells. With the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple is finally closing the numbers gap while maintaining its lead in real-world performance.
Final Thoughts
The leaked details suggest that Apple is gearing up to deliver its best battery performance yet with the iPhone 17 series. The iPhone 17 Pro Max eSIM variant could become the first iPhone with a 5000mAh+ battery, while even the lower models are getting welcome boosts. If these leaks hold true, battery anxiety may soon become a thing of the past for iPhone users.
