Apple appears willing to sacrifice the ultra-thin profile of its flagship smartphone in exchange for more meaningful hardware upgrades on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to the latest industry rumors.

If users already considered the iPhone 17 Pro Max thicker than previous generations, they may notice an even bigger difference with its successor. Multiple leaks suggest Apple is planning to increase the thickness of the iPhone 18 Pro lineup to accommodate several major improvements, including a larger battery, an upgraded camera system and a more powerful chipset.

Rather than prioritizing an ultra-slim design, Apple is reportedly shifting its focus toward practical improvements for Pro users, while the iPhone Air lineup is expected to remain the company's option for customers seeking a thinner device.

iPhone 18 Pro Max could approach 11mm in thickness

According to reports citing supply chain sources, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could measure between 9.9mm and 10.9mm thick.

That would represent a significant increase from the 8.75mm thickness rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro series.

Looking back another generation, the iPhone 16 Pro measures 8.25mm, meaning Apple's flagship Pro models could become more than 2mm thicker over two generations.

Apple has not confirmed any dimensions, but multiple reports suggest the company is becoming less concerned about maintaining the thinnest possible design and is instead prioritizing performance and everyday usability for professional users.

Camera upgrades may require more internal space

One of the biggest reasons behind the rumored increase in thickness is believed to be a redesigned camera system.

Leaks suggest Apple could introduce variable aperture technology to the iPhone's main camera for the first time.

The feature, previously found mainly in professional cameras and a limited number of premium Android smartphones, would allow users to manually adjust the aperture depending on shooting conditions.

A wider aperture would capture more light for brighter low-light images, while a narrower aperture could improve sharpness and depth of field in bright environments.

If the rumors prove accurate, it would represent one of the biggest camera upgrades introduced to the iPhone in years.

Bigger battery could improve endurance

Apple is also expected to use the additional internal space to install larger batteries.

According to current leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro may feature a battery with a capacity of around 4,288mAh, slightly larger than the rumored 4,252mAh battery in the iPhone 17 Pro.

The larger increase is expected for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which could receive a 5,567mAh battery, compared with the rumored 5,088mAh battery in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

If accurate, the battery would even exceed the 5,000mAh capacity found in Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Combined with Apple's well-known software and hardware optimization, analysts believe the larger battery could set a new benchmark for battery life among premium smartphones.

Several other upgrades are also rumored

Beyond the camera and battery, several additional improvements have been linked to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

One of the most anticipated changes is a noticeably smaller Dynamic Island, made possible by moving part of the Face ID system underneath the display.

If implemented, it would represent another step toward Apple's long-term goal of creating a nearly uninterrupted full-screen design.

The iPhone 18 Pro series is also widely expected to become Apple's first smartphone powered by a 2-nanometer processor, widely believed to be the A20 Pro chip.

The new manufacturing process is expected to deliver stronger performance, improved artificial intelligence processing and better power efficiency.

Apple is also rumored to be refining the rear glass design so that the finish blends more seamlessly with the metal frame, creating a more unified appearance.

A new Dark Cherry color option has also appeared in several leaks and could become one of the most sought-after finishes if it reaches production.

The company is further expected to expand the use of its own in-house 5G modem, reducing reliance on Qualcomm in additional markets. The modem is expected to improve power efficiency while giving Apple greater control over its hardware ecosystem.

Should users upgrade?

If the current leaks are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could become one of Apple's most significant flagship upgrades in recent years.

A larger battery, variable-aperture camera, 2-nanometer processor, smaller Dynamic Island and improved modem would all represent practical improvements for everyday users.

However, some industry observers suggest owners of the iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro Max may choose to wait another year.

Apple is widely rumored to be preparing a more comprehensive redesign for its 2027 iPhone lineup, expected to commemorate the iPhone's 20th anniversary with broader changes to the design, display, camera system and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Meanwhile, reports also suggest Apple may increase prices across the iPhone lineup because of rising component costs, particularly memory.

As with all pre-release information, Apple has not officially confirmed any of the rumored specifications or features for the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Hai Phong