The big Apple event is here and we will finally know the new iPhone 17 family! You might have seen some spoilers about its design, but many people have been wondering about the battery. A last-minute leak has revealed the capacities, and the answer is tied to something most of us wouldn’t immediately think about: the SIM card slot. So, let’s find out more about it, shall we?
The role of the SIM card slot
Apple has been selling iPhones in the U.S. that only work with eSIM for a long time, without the SIM tray. Removing this small piece might seem like an insignificant detail, but the smartphone has more space inside and Apple uses it to place bigger batteries.
In other markets, where the iPhone 17 will still include the SIM tray, the situation is different: that space is occupied by the tray, so the battery is smaller. This means that the same model can have different capacities depending on where you buy it.
Let’s compare batteries
According to the last-minute leak, this is the comparison of version with SIM and without SIM:
- iPhone 17: 3,692 mAh in both versions — no change at all.
- iPhone 17 Pro: 3,988 mAh (with SIM) vs. 4,252 mAh (eSIM only) → +6.62%.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4,823 mAh (with SIM) vs. 5,088 mAh (eSIM only) → +5.49%.
- iPhone 17 Air: 3,036 mAh (with SIM) vs. 3,149 mAh (eSIM only) → +3.72%.
The differences seem small, but some iPhone 17 models will last longer with just one charge. This is great news, right?
The thin iPhone 17 Air
Among the 4 models, the iPhone 17 Air is the thinnest. It is designed to directly compete with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, prioritizing the thin body over battery capacity. To achieve this thinness, Apple had to cut back on battery size and possibly on camera performance compared to the Pro models.
Despite these sacrifices, the Air will be more expensive than the standard iPhone 17, which confirms Apple keeps giving premium value to design and exclusivity.
SIM or eSIM?
Depending on where you live you will have a different version:
- In the U.S. the answer is clear: only eSIM, with no tray.
- In Europe, the leaks indicated that every model wouldn’t have a tray. Apparently, the iPhone 17 Air will follow this line whereas other models could keep the tray.
- In China the situation is different. Carriers play a crucial role and Apple could find itself obliged to offer physical SIM models. Rumor has it that there could be a special version of the iPhone 17 Air with a tray exclusively to that market.
What it really means
In the end, the idea is simple: the more space inside the iPhone, the more space for the battery. For consumers, this means a bit more autonomy in the iPhone models that only use eSIM.
Although the differences of 3% or 6% seem small, every detail counts. Added to theApple’s habitual efficiency in hardware and software, these figures can make the difference in the everyday life.
The countdown is over
Everything is based on leaks, but the official confirmation will be very soon when Apple presents the iPhone 17 family. It’s also expected the new Apple Watch and the update of the AirPods Pro.
But, one thing is for sure: removing the SIM card slot is not just a design decision, it’s a small change to have more space for bigger batteries. And this is always great news in the smartphone world. Are you ready for Apple’s presentation? Apple never stops surprising us with all the updates they develop each year.