A fresh leak has surfaced that hints at a significant battery capacity upgrade for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max. The model, expected to launch this September, may boast the largest battery ever used in an iPhone — potentially hitting 5,000mAh.
The source of this leak is Setsuna Digital, a well-known Weibo leaker with a mixed but notable track record. The leak was shared via GSMArena, further supporting its visibility.
iPhone catches up with Android rivals
Several Android flagships already ship with 5,000mAh batteries — now it’s Apple’s turn.
Models like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have featured 5,000mAh batteries for some time, and while Apple has lagged behind in pure capacity, its phones have historically excelled in real-world battery life thanks to efficient chips and software.
That makes this development even more promising — if Apple combines a physically larger battery with its well-known power efficiency, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be a true endurance powerhouse.
Why a thicker iPhone matters
iPhone 17 Pro Max could be thicker, and that extra space might just be used wisely.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.25mm thick. Rumors now suggest its successor will measure around 8.725mm. While the difference is minimal — less than half a millimeter — even this slight change could allow Apple to include a larger battery without compromising design.
iPhone 17 Air offers a different approach
Apple is also betting on thinness — but at a price.
While the Pro Max goes bigger, the rumored iPhone 17 Air is heading in the opposite direction. According to FrontPageTech, it could be just 5.5mm thick — slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. But that thinness may come at the cost of a smaller battery and a single rear 48MP camera, compared to the dual-lens setup on Samsung’s flagship.
The iPhone 17 Air is also rumored to include a silicon anode battery for higher energy density and an efficient chipset that could match the base iPhone 17’s battery life — despite the thinner form.
Not just a bigger battery — but smarter too
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is also expected to feature a more efficient processor. This, along with potential software improvements, could extend battery life further than raw capacity gains alone. But as always, the surest way to extend battery life is still a physically larger battery.
User demands remain consistent: better battery life
Battery life remains one of the top user concerns, even over flashy new features.
No matter how many features a smartphone offers, it’s of little use if it can’t last through the day. Apple seems to be listening. According to 9to5Mac, depending on the final battery size, we could be seeing an almost 10% increase in capacity compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which holds a 4,676mAh battery.
What the experts are saying
MacRumors paints a clearer picture with usage stats. “The battery life of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 33 hours, according to Apple. This is up from 29 hours on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and 28 hours on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.” With another 300mAh added, we could see around 35 hours or more on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
On the other hand, William Gallagher at Apple Insider urges caution. He notes that even with a larger battery, the final battery life depends on the full device design. “The new model is expected to add new technology that will not impact the battery — such as vapor chamber cooling — but there may be other new features that do,” he explains.
Final thoughts: battery race just got real
The iPhone 17 Pro Max may be Apple’s boldest move yet in battery upgrades — not just to satisfy user demand, but also to keep pace with rivals in the Android space. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air shows Apple is exploring opposite extremes, testing how thin a phone can be without sacrificing too much.
Whether you’re after all-day power or sleek minimalism, it looks like September will bring something for everyone.
