iPhone 18 Pro Max new battery could make it a chunky boy at 240 grams

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Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could be slightly thicker and heavier than the current model, according to new claims from well-known leaker Ice Universe.

The rumour, which tied the design changes to a significantly larger battery, claimed the iPhone 18 Pro Max would measure around 9mm thick and weigh approximately 240 grams. If accurate, that would make it about 0.25mm thicker and 7 grams heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The claim follows recent regulatory filings indicating a larger battery for the next flagship. The filings, cited by MacRumors, show a 5,391mAh battery for the Chinese market and a 5,567mAh battery for the US, representing an increase of nearly 500mAh over the current model.

Battery upgrade appears to drive the design changes

Aside from the larger battery size, the latest leak from Ice Universe indicated that Apple may introduce a new stainless-steel vapor-chamber cooling system, which could further contribute to the added weight.

There is still disagreement over exactly how much thicker the phone will become. While Ice Universe reported that the handset itself will be around 9mm thick, other leakers have suggested a much larger increase. Another report from Macworld argued that the phone’s body may remain unchanged while only the rear camera bump grows.


It may rival Apple’s heaviest iPhone

No specific weight has been widely reported yet, but if the estimated 240-gram weight is correct, the iPhone 18 Pro Max would match the weight of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which remains one of Apple’s heaviest smartphones. There are also reports that the standard iPhone 18 Pro could become heavier.

Apple previously reduced weight by switching from stainless steel to titanium on the iPhone 15 Pro lineup, then switched to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro models. However, internal hardware changes have gradually pushed weights back up.

What it could mean for buyers

For many users, the trade-off may come down to comfort versus endurance.

A larger battery typically delivers longer runtime, one of the most requested smartphone upgrades; however, extra weight and thickness can make large phones less comfortable to carry or use one-handed. The reported increase is relatively small on paper, yet it could still be noticeable for users upgrading from slimmer models.

With Apple expected to unveil the iPhone 18 lineup in September, alongside its long-rumored foldable iPhone, the company’s final hardware decisions will determine whether buyers see the added bulk as a worthwhile compromise.

-Tech Republic