Apple's iPhone 17 Air encounters potential competition – Samsung's recent leak suggests a remarkably slender device boasting an impressive battery life.
In the world of smartphone technology, battery life remains a crucial factor for users. Recent rumours suggest that both Samsung and Apple are making strides in this area, with potential upgrades to their upcoming devices.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge is rumoured to feature a battery capacity significantly larger than its predecessor, the S25 Edge. Multiple sources report a battery capacity increase from 3,900mAh (S25 Edge) to approximately 4,200–4,400mAh for the S26 Edge. This represents an increase of roughly 300 to 500mAh or about 8-13% more capacity.
This jump aims to address previous complaints about the S25 Edge’s smaller battery relative to its thin design. The S26 Edge is also rumoured to be thinner and pack camera and chipset upgrades. The latest leak from Ice Universe mentions a 4,400mAh battery, although it advises caution due to conflicting information. Other outlets like GalaxyClub and SamMobile indicate a 4,200mAh battery, which is a modest but notable boost.
On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to have a 2,800mAh battery. Mark Gurman reported that the iPhone 17 Air's battery life will be "on par" with other iPhone models. Apple is counting on power savings from a new A19 processor and the Apple-built C1 modem to help the iPhone 17 Air last long enough. However, specific details about the iPhone 17 Air's battery capacity were not provided.
Another interesting development is the rumoured switch from lithium-ion batteries to silicon carbon batteries in future phones. Silicon carbon batteries are rumoured to have higher density, enabling more charge in smaller cell sizes. This could potentially allow for thinner batteries with similar capacity to current lithium-ion batteries.
However, for now, phone makers are grappling with fitting enough battery into increasingly slender models. The Galaxy S25 Edge's battery seemed to drain faster than other phones, but in a review, the phone lasted 12 hours and 24 minutes in battery testing. The Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra can last longer than the S25 Edge.
No specific release dates for the Galaxy S26 or Galaxy S25 FE were mentioned. The latest Galaxy S26 Edge rumour suggests that Samsung might be meeting this challenge successfully. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to launch in about a month.
In conclusion, while specific details are still scarce, it appears that both Samsung and Apple are working on improving battery life in their upcoming devices. The potential switch to silicon carbon batteries could revolutionise the way batteries are designed, allowing for thinner, longer-lasting devices. Stay tuned for more updates as these rumours continue to unfold.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge is speculated to include a more substantial battery capacity than its predecessor, with reports suggesting an increase from 3,900mAh to approximately 4,200–4,400mAh, which represents a significant leap in technology. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air's battery life is rumored to be similar to that of other iPhone models, with a proposed 2,800mAh battery and improvements from a new A19 processor and the Apple-built C1 modem.
