A new leak suggests Apple is finally converting the space saved by eliminating physical SIM trays into larger batteries for most iPhone 17 models. Details pulled from Chinese regulatory listings and shared by the leaker ShrimpApplePro point to dual hardware paths: eSIM-only variants with higher capacities for markets like the US, and slightly smaller batteries for versions that retain a SIM slot. As always, treat the figures with caution—Apple does not publish mAh ratings, and final numbers tend to be confirmed only by regulatory databases and teardown labs.
Why eSIM opens room for bigger cells
Removing the SIM tray doesn’t just eliminate a tiny slot on the frame. It also frees up internal volume occupied by the SIM reader, shielding, gasket, and board routing. Teardowns from iFixit have long shown that this assembly spans a meaningful footprint along the midframe—prime real estate that can be reallocated to a larger L-shaped battery, additional thermal layers, or sturdier structural components. Apple already moved to eSIM-only in the US starting with the iPhone 14, and carrier support has grown fast; Apple’s own support documentation lists more than 400 carriers offering eSIM service across 100+ countries, and GSMA reports accelerating eSIM adoption among operators globally.
What the leaked capacities show
The standout number is the iPhone 17 Pro’s reported 4,252mAh pack in eSIM-only markets, an 18% jump over the iPhone 16 Pro’s 3,582mAh cell. Markets that keep a SIM slot are said to get a 3,988mAh battery—still larger than last year, but without the full eSIM dividend.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is tipped to move from 4,685mAh on the 16 Pro Max to 5,088mAh in eSIM-only regions, which is roughly an 8.6% increase. A SIM-tray version is rumored at 4,823mAh. For the standard iPhone 17, documentation points to a single 3,692mAh listing versus 3,561mAh on the iPhone 16. A thinner iPhone 17 Air reportedly balances design constraints with capacity: 3,149mAh for eSIM-only and 3,036mAh where a SIM slot remains.
These entries reportedly come via China’s device certification pipeline, where component capacities often surface ahead of launch. Even so, component suppliers, pack tolerances, and regional SKUs can shift late in production, so consider these indicative rather than final.
Expected gains in real-world battery life
Capacity alone doesn’t guarantee longer runtime—but it helps. If Apple pairs these larger cells with more efficient silicon and display drivers, the Pro and Pro Max could see meaningful endurance gains in mixed use, especially for camera, navigation, and 5G-heavy workloads. Historically, Apple often uses efficiency improvements to hold battery life steady while adding new features; this time, the raw mAh increases are big enough—particularly on the Pro—to plausibly translate into extra hours on a charge, even if display brightness or camera performance also steps up.
Thermal behavior matters, too. A slightly larger pack can reduce peak stress per unit capacity, helping sustain performance under load. Combined with modem efficiency tuning and adaptive refresh rate strategies, the eSIM-only models are well positioned to show the biggest real-world wins.
Why some markets may still get SIM trays
Physical SIMs remain a necessity in regions where eSIM provisioning is inconsistent, where prepaid markets rely on quick swaps, or where regulations and roaming patterns favor physical cards. GSMA data shows eSIM availability is expanding, but not uniformly. That’s why Apple has maintained multiple variants since the US went eSIM-only—balancing global carrier readiness with its internal design roadmap.
There are signs, however, that more regions are preparing for eSIM scaling. Industry chatter points to wider eSIM training for service staff in parts of Europe, and more carriers are activating digital profiles in minutes through QR codes or carrier apps. As onboarding improves, the case for SIM tray retention shrinks—which, by extension, strengthens the case for larger batteries globally.
The bottom line
If the leak holds, the iPhone 17 family finally puts the eSIM space savings to work, delivering the most notable capacity bump on the Pro and Pro Max. It’s a straightforward trade: fewer moving parts and ports, more room for battery. For power users and travelers, that could be the most practical upgrade of the year—especially in markets where the SIM tray is gone for good.