Apple’s newest offering, the iPhone 16e, has many appealing features, but for me, the device that truly excites is the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. A critical detail from today’s launch has relieved my primary concern regarding this device: the battery life.
Ultra-thin design can be both a strength and weakness
This autumn, Apple is set to unveil four new iPhones, which will include:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
Overall, this lineup is what we’ve come to expect—with one notable change.
The new iPhone 17 Air will replace the previous ‘Plus’ model.
This fresh addition will feature a striking ultra-slim profile that emphasizes aesthetics over practicality, expected to be just 5.5mm thick—marking it as the thinnest iPhone ever produced.
For users who traditionally gravitate towards Pro options, the 17 Air will include certain trade-offs. It will offer a single rear camera instead of three and will be equipped with the standard A19 chip rather than the A19 Pro.
My main anxiety regarding the 17 Air has been its battery performance.
Battery life in Apple’s flagship models, particularly the Pro and Pro Max, has seen significant improvements lately, reaching a stage where battery concerns are almost non-existent.
However, the iPhone 17 Air’s greatest asset—its ultra-thin design—might also be its biggest drawback.
That was my impression until today’s announcement.
Apple’s C1 modem addresses my concerns about the iPhone 17 Air’s battery
Apple’s introduction of the iPhone 16e signifies, on a philosophical level, a return to the spirit of previous iPhone SE models, meaning it incorporates a wealth of technology previously seen in other iPhones.
One game-changing advancement, however, is the new C1 modem from Apple.
This Apple-designed 5G modem, which has been in development for several years, was rumored to be part of the iPhone 16e, yet its specific benefits remained unknown until now.
According to Apple’s press release (emphasis added):
C1 is the first modem crafted by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, providing fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. Apple silicon—including C1—the newly designed internals, and the advanced power management in iOS 18 all contribute to incredible battery life.
The C1 modem indeed appears to provide substantial enhancements to battery life.
In fact, thanks to the C1, the iPhone 16e achieves better battery longevity than the pricier iPhone 16, marking it the lone area where this new model outperforms its counterpart.
Moreover, several reports indicate that the C1 modem will also be incorporated into another iPhone model this year: the iPhone 17 Air.
Integrating the C1 modem into the 17 Air seems to be Apple’s strategy to counter the potential battery reduction resulting from its ultra-thin design.
While I don’t expect the iPhone 17 Air to achieve the same battery performance as the Pro variants, if it can come close to matching the standard iPhone 17, that would be satisfactory for me.
Battery life is an essential characteristic for iPhone users, and thanks to the announcement regarding the C1, we now have clarity on how Apple aims to prevent the exciting iPhone 17 Air from suffering from poor battery performance.
Are you worried about the battery life of the iPhone 17 Air? Share your thoughts in the comments.
