iPhone 18 Pro Max: This is how thick the casing is expected to be Apfelpatient

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According to a new leak, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be exactly the same thickness as its predecessor. The most interesting question, therefore, is how Apple plans to fit a larger battery without increasing the overall size of the casing.

Ahead of its expected September unveiling, details about the iPhone 18 Pro Max are becoming increasingly clear. A recent leak now reveals a specific measurement for the case thickness – adding to the growing picture of the iPhone 18 Pro, which until now has been dominated by rumors about the camera, display, and price. What's striking is not so much the value itself, but the fact that it contradicts an earlier figure from the same source.

Same thickness as its predecessor

According to Weibo leaker Ice Universe, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will measure 8.75 millimeters – exactly the same thickness as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which also officially measures 8.75 millimeters. This is noteworthy because the same leaker claimed in March that the device would be slightly thicker than its predecessor. This earlier statement aligned with a report from last year suggesting that hardware changes would make the iPhone 18 Pro Max the heaviest iPhone to date.

Many questions remain unanswered regarding weight

A consistent thickness measurement doesn't automatically mean the weight will remain unchanged. Last November, Instant Digital, a leaker also active on Weibo, stated that the iPhone 18 Pro Max would be slightly heavier than its predecessor, exceeding 240 grams – which would be the heaviest iPhone since the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The current iPhone 17 Pro Max weighs 233 grams. Internal hardware changes could therefore certainly affect the weight, even if the external dimensions remain the same.

Larger battery despite unchanged dimensions

This is where it gets interesting: Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station had previously mentioned a larger battery with a capacity in the range of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh – more than the 5,088 mAh in the eSIM version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If both figures are accurate, Apple would have had to redesign the internal components or shrink individual parts to accommodate the larger battery cell without increasing the overall thickness. The screen size is unlikely to change: The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to retain the 6.9-inch display of the current model.

The reason: Apple's focus lies elsewhere

The leaker also offers an explanation for why there are few external changes to this year's Pro series. According to him, the majority of development work is currently focused on the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to be a foldable model. The comparatively restrained development of the classic Pro models would therefore be less of an oversight and more of a deliberate focus.

iPhone 18 Pro: What else is expected

Beyond the improved dimensions, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to feature several new additions: a potentially smaller Dynamic Island, a next-generation C2 modem, simplified Camera Control, and an improved main camera with a variable aperture. The devices are expected to be unveiled in mid-September – alongside the foldable iPhone. (Image: Shutterstock / Zalfar)