iPhone 17 or iPhone Air: which lasts longer?
Overall rating, EU class, updates, battery and protection of both smartphones side by side, from the suppliers’ entries in EPREL (as of 2 November 2026).
Result
Both have EU repairability class C and score 4.8 out of 10 in our overall rating from eight EPREL values.
Both get 5 years of updates according to their suppliers; the battery is not user-replaceable on either.
The battery of the iPhone 17 lasts longer per charge (41 instead of 40 hours); both are waterproof (IP68).
On battery life, the iPhone 17 is ahead; on EU repairability index, the iPhone Air.
All values compared
Bold is the better value where the devices differ. Grey below: the typical value across all smartphones (median, our own calculation).
| Value | Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone Air |
|---|---|---|
| Overall ratingtypical 5.6 | 4.8 out of 10 | 4.8 out of 10 |
| EU classtypical 3.38 | C · index 2.82 out of 5 | C · index 2.85 out of 5 |
| Updatestypical 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Battery | Built in | Built in |
| Battery lifetypical 58 h | 41 h | 40 h |
| Charge cyclestypical 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Drop resistancetypical 270 | 180 drops · class B | 180 drops · class B |
| Water protectiontypical IP68 | IP68 · waterproof | IP68 · waterproof |
| Scratch resistancetypical Level 5 | Level 5 | Level 5 |
| On the market since | 09/2025 | 09/2025 |
More comparisons
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which gets updates for longer, the iPhone 17 or the iPhone Air?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, both get 5 years of operating system updates, counted from the end of sales.
On which can you replace the battery yourself?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, the battery is not user-replaceable on either the iPhone 17 or the iPhone Air.
Which is easier to repair, the iPhone 17 or the iPhone Air?
By EU repairability class, both are class C (index 2.82 and 2.85 out of 5). In our overall rating from eight EPREL values, both score 4.8 out of 10.
Sources
Laws and regulations in their current version, linked to the source.
- EPREL, European Product Registry for Energy LabellingEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL public data disclaimerEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL Public API terms and conditionsEuropäische Kommission · Guidance · 3 Jun 2024
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 (energy labelling of smartphones and slate tablets)EUR-Lex · EU regulation · 16 Jun 2023
- German Act against Unfair Competition (UWG)Bundesministerium der Justiz · Law · 27 Sept 2026