Following rumors about increased thickness, a new report today suggests that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could become the heaviest iPhone in years. According to leaker Ice Universe, the combination of a roughly 5500 mAh battery and a thicker chassis will push the weight to 240 grams, matching the record set by the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Details on the 5500 mAh battery
Ice Universe posted on Weibo that the iPhone 18 Pro Max's 5500 mAh battery will result in a 240-gram body and 9-millimeter thickness. This capacity aligns with recent regulatory filings, which showed 5567 mAh for the eSIM-only model and 5391 mAh for the physical SIM version. Compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which packs 5088 mAh (eSIM) and 4823 mAh (physical), the increase is substantial. Energy density may have improved, but the extra weight primarily comes from the larger cells and structural reinforcement.
Comparison with previous models
Starting in 2022, Apple gradually lightened its flagship lineup: the iPhone 15 Pro Max weighed 221 grams, the iPhone 16 Pro Max 227 grams, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max 233 grams. Returning to 240 grams marks a reversal. The first two models to hit that weight, the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max, used stainless steel frames, a heavier material than the titanium adopted for later generations. However, rumors now indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will retain the aluminum chassis already used on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, meaning the weight increase is entirely due to the battery and other internal components.
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Materials and design: aluminum confirmed?
Despite the higher weight, Apple seems unwilling to return to steel. Sources suggest the aluminum frame will remain, a material that helps control weight but is offset here by the larger battery. Leaker Fixed Focus Digital had already predicted a thickness increase of about 2 mm compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which measures 8.75 mm thick (reaching 13.18 mm at the camera bump). At 9 mm, the new model aligns with those predictions.
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While Apple explores PrismML technology to run 27-billion-parameter AI models directly on iPhones, the hardware side is preparing to host record-capacity batteries. According to Wikipedia, the history of iPhone batteries shows a steady increase in capacity, but never such a sharp jump.
User experience impact
A weight of 240 grams may be noticeable for users who hold the phone for extended periods or carry it in a pocket. However, those prioritizing battery life may accept the trade-off. Rumors point to a September 2026 launch, but final specs could vary. The 240-gram figure seems firm, backed by multiple sources.
