According to information shared by well-known tipster Ice Universe on Chinese social media platform Weibo, Apple's next-generation flagship, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, will measure exactly 8.75mm thick - identical to its predecessor.

If accurate, the report suggests Apple will continue following the design philosophy it has embraced for years: prioritizing internal performance and hardware improvements over major external redesigns.

It also indicates that users should not expect a dramatic visual overhaul of the traditional iPhone lineup this year.

However, industry observers believe the latest rumor should be treated with caution. Back in March, Ice Universe claimed the iPhone 18 Pro Max could become noticeably thicker due to hardware changes.

The device was even rumored to be on track to become the heaviest iPhone ever released.

The emergence of two conflicting reports from the same source leaves the accuracy of the predictions open to question. Even so, the broader trend among recent reports suggests Apple is likely to pursue evolutionary upgrades rather than revolutionary changes for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Apple shifting resources to the foldable iPhone Ultra?

According to Ice Universe, the limited changes expected for the iPhone 18 Pro Max may be linked to Apple's decision to devote much of its research and development effort to its first foldable iPhone, often referred to by industry watchers as the iPhone Ultra.

Over the past several months, the device has dominated discussions across global technology forums.

Numerous prototype details, renderings and technical specifications have leaked, generating significantly more attention than the traditional iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

If current reports prove accurate, the iPhone Ultra will feature a liquid metal hinge designed to improve durability while reducing long-term wear and tear. The device is expected to launch in two primary color options: black and white.

More notably, several industry sources claim Apple has made substantial progress in addressing one of the biggest challenges facing foldable devices - the display crease.

The foldable iPhone may feature a flexible display with little to no visible crease when unfolded, along with a self-healing coating designed to minimize minor scratches.

Plenty of meaningful upgrades still expected for the iPhone 18 Pro Max

Although the design may remain largely unchanged, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is still expected to deliver a wide range of significant hardware improvements.

One of the most notable upgrades is expected to be the A20 Pro processor, manufactured using a next-generation 2nm process. The chip is seen as a major advancement that could boost performance while reducing power consumption compared with previous generations.

A new LTPO+ display is also rumored, offering improved power efficiency and enhanced visual quality.

In addition, Apple may introduce a variable aperture system for the main camera for the first time, allowing the device to automatically adjust the amount of light entering the sensor based on environmental conditions.

As for colors, a dark cherry finish is rumored to become the signature color for the Pro lineup this year.

Apple is also reportedly considering bringing blue back to the product range.

Battery life remains another major area of interest. Leaker Digital Chat Station claims the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a battery capacity ranging from 5,100mAh to 5,200mAh, up from the 5,088mAh battery found in the eSIM version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The larger battery, combined with the efficiency gains offered by the 2nm processor, could deliver substantially longer usage times, particularly for AI-powered tasks that continue to demand more computing resources.

Beyond traditional hardware improvements, Apple is also expected to expand its artificial intelligence strategy with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The device is anticipated to ship with iOS 27 out of the box, featuring a significantly upgraded version of Siri and a more mature Apple Intelligence ecosystem.

A new feature known as "Extensions" is also reportedly in development, allowing deeper interaction between AI services and third-party applications.

On the connectivity side, Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation in-house C2 modem. In addition to improving network performance and energy efficiency, the modem is rumored to incorporate enhanced privacy protections.

Dynamic Island could become even smaller, maximizing screen real estate. Fast charging speeds may also increase to around 40W, significantly reducing charging times.

Storage options are expected to expand as well, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max potentially offering configurations of up to 2TB, catering to users who capture high-resolution video or perform AI processing directly on the device.

Can the iPhone 18 Pro Max remain attractive alongside the iPhone Ultra?

According to current reports, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to retain a starting price of around $1,199, matching its predecessor. The foldable iPhone Ultra, meanwhile, is projected to debut at roughly $2,000.

The nearly $800 price gap between the two devices is substantial. In practical terms, that difference is almost enough to purchase an additional standard iPhone.

As a result, while the iPhone Ultra is likely to become Apple's biggest headline-grabbing product when it launches, the iPhone 18 Pro Max still appears well positioned to maintain strong sales thanks to its balance of performance, features and pricing.

Hai Phong