Apple’s eagerly awaited “Awe Dropping” event on September 9 is approaching, and the iPhone 17 series continues to attract attention with new leaks. Recent rumors indicate that the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be the first iPhone to exceed a battery capacity of 5,000mAh, a milestone many Apple fans have eagerly anticipated. According to a leak from renowned tipster ShrimpApplePro on X (formerly Twitter), Apple is implementing notable changes to the battery options across its iPhone 17 series. Interestingly, aside from the standard iPhone 17, all other models are expected to be available with two battery variants, depending on whether the phone supports a physical SIM card or is eSIM-only.
This strategy builds on Apple’s previous decision to eliminate the physical SIM tray in the US, which allowed for more internal space. With the iPhone 17 series, it seems Apple may finally utilize that extra space effectively by providing larger batteries in eSIM-only models. The new iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a 3,036mAh battery in versions with a physical SIM card slot, while the eSIM-only variant is said to have a slightly larger 3,149mAh battery. However, the most significant enhancements are expected in the Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro came with a 3,582mAh battery, but its successor may experience a considerable increase.
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to have a 3,988mAh battery for the SIM version and a larger 4,252mAh battery for the eSIM-only model. This increase could provide a significant improvement in daily performance and screen-on time. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is where Apple appears to be making a breakthrough. The previous year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max featured a 4,685mAh battery, already a strong performer in the flagship market. For 2025, the capacity may rise to 4,823mAh for the SIM variant and an unprecedented 5,088mAh for the eSIM-only version. If these claims hold true, this would mark the Pro Max as the first iPhone to surpass the 5,000mAh barrier, bringing it closer to high-capacity Android devices.
Although Android smartphones have long had large batteries—some reaching up to 7,000mAh—Apple’s advantage has consistently been in optimization. With its robust hardware-software integration, iPhones regularly offer battery performance that rivals or exceeds that of larger-capacity competitors. A 5,000mAh battery in the iPhone 17 Pro Max could set a new standard for endurance in the premium smartphone sector. One question remains—will Indian consumers gain access to the 5,088mAh eSIM-only model? To date, Apple has primarily offered iPhones with physical SIM slots in India. While there are reports that the company is considering expanding eSIM-only models to additional regions, particularly in Europe, it appears unlikely that India will be included this year. Therefore, Indian buyers may receive the 4,823mAh variant instead.
Nevertheless, this still represents a significant upgrade and should adequately meet the needs of even the most demanding users. As excitement builds for the official reveal, Apple’s emphasis on larger batteries could emerge as a defining feature of the iPhone 17 lineup, promising users extended screen time and reduced concerns about battery management.
