Apple’s new iPhone 16e is pretty impressive, but it’s not the phone I’m most excited about. That honor goes to the iPhone 17 Air, coming this fall. Today’s news about the 16e has eased my biggest fear about the 17 Air: its battery life.
This fall, Apple will likely roll out four new iPhones:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
This lineup is mostly what we’re used to, except the “Plus” model is gone. Instead, we’re getting the iPhone 17 Air. The 17 Air will be super slim, just 5.5mm thick—the thinnest iPhone ever. It’s all about looking sleek, but that comes with some trade-offs. For example, it’ll have only one back camera instead of three and a regular A19 chip, not the fancier A19 Pro.
For me, though, the real worry was the battery. Apple’s top phones, like the Pro and Pro Max, have amazing battery life now. I never even think about charging them. But with the 17 Air’s thin build, I was afraid the battery would suffer—until today’s update changed my mind.
The C1 Modem Saves the Day
Apple’s iPhone 16e launch showed off some cool stuff, including the new C1 modem. This 5G modem, built by Apple, has been in the works for years. We knew it might show up in the 16e, but its perks were a mystery until now.
Here’s what Apple said in their announcement:
The C1 modem is Apple’s first-ever modem. It’s the most power-saving modem ever in an iPhone, offering fast 5G while keeping your battery going strong. With Apple’s tech, a fresh design, and iOS 18’s smart power tricks, battery life is better than ever.
The C1 really boosts battery life. In fact, the 16e lasts longer than the pricier iPhone 16, beating it in this one big way.
Good News for the iPhone 17 Air
Reports say the C1 modem will also be in the iPhone 17 Air. That’s Apple’s clever fix for the battery downsides of its slim design. It won’t match the Pro models, but if it’s close to the regular iPhone 17, I’ll be happy. Battery life matters a lot to iPhone fans. Thanks to the C1 modem, I’m now confident the iPhone 17 Air will keep up without running out of juice too fast.