Apple appears to be taking battery performance more seriously with the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max, expected to come with a 5000mAh battery. Although this marks a significant jump from previous generations, Apple still lags behind Android rivals like Huawei and Xiaomi when it comes to battery size.
A well-known Weibo tipster, @InstantDigital, recently revealed that the new iPhone 17 Pro Max may include a 5000mAh battery, roughly 324mAh more than its predecessor. While this is the largest battery ever fitted into an iPhone, it still falls short compared to top-tier Android models such as the Huawei Pura 80 series and Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Battery Size Comparison: iPhone vs Competitors
Looking back at previous models, Apple’s flagship battery sizes have fluctuated. Here’s a quick glance at battery capacities across recent Pro Max models:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3969mAh
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3687mAh
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: 4352mAh
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4323mAh
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4422mAh
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4676mAh
This upcoming increase to 5000mAh will be the most significant jump since the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Still, it may not guarantee longer screen time or better real-world performance.
By comparison, Huawei’s Pura 80 houses a massive 5600mAh battery, with its higher-end siblings reaching up to 5700mAh. Xiaomi 15 Ultra also competes aggressively, featuring a 5410mAh battery.
Real-Life Performance May Vary
Despite the size increase, concerns remain about the actual performance gains. Several users and tech analysts have noted that battery longevity in iPhones has not always correlated directly with battery size. Factors such as display technology, processor efficiency, and software optimization play vital roles.
The upcoming iOS 26 may introduce battery management enhancements, but until real-world tests are conducted, it’s hard to gauge the practical benefit of the larger battery. Apple’s strategy seems to lean more toward efficiency than raw capacity, which can be a double-edged sword when compared to Android’s brute-force battery numbers.
Final Thoughts
While Apple is making a noticeable leap with the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery, it still trails the Android competition in terms of pure battery size. Nonetheless, the new 5000mAh capacity is a promising step forward and may help improve user satisfaction—especially among those frustrated with frequent charging.
Until launch day performance tests are available, iPhone enthusiasts should stay cautiously optimistic. One thing is certain: Apple is finally listening to its battery-conscious users, and that’s a win in itself.
