Leaks surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro Max are beginning to emerge in greater volume, drawing widespread attention from the technology community. According to supply-chain sources and well-known industry leakers, Apple is preparing a range of major upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, including improvements to battery capacity, processing power and camera systems.

iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a 5,200mAh battery

Information shared by leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo and later echoed by Ice Universe suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro may come in two battery configurations. The physical SIM version is expected to feature a battery of around 4,056mAh, while the eSIM-only model could be equipped with a larger 4,288mAh battery.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also said to be available with two battery configurations. Models supporting physical SIM cards may carry a battery of approximately 5,000mAh, while eSIM-only versions could feature capacities ranging from 5,100mAh to 5,200mAh.

If accurate, these would represent the largest batteries ever installed in Apple's premium iPhone lineup.

Why would the eSIM version have a larger battery? The answer lies in the device's internal design. By eliminating the physical SIM tray, Apple gains additional space that can be allocated to other components or used to increase battery capacity.

In recent years, Apple has steadily expanded its eSIM strategy. In the United States, iPhones have been eSIM-only since the iPhone 14 generation. Several market research firms and supply-chain analysts now believe Apple is preparing to extend this model to additional countries, particularly selected European markets, beginning with the iPhone 18 series.

Industry observers expect Apple will eventually eliminate physical SIM cards entirely worldwide. When that happens, differences in battery capacity between variants will disappear, allowing all users to benefit from more efficient use of internal hardware space.

The move also aligns with Apple's broader objective of creating thinner and lighter devices. Removing mechanical components such as SIM trays not only frees up internal space but also enhances durability and water resistance.

A20 Pro 2nm chip promises major performance gains

Beyond battery improvements, the most anticipated upgrade on the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to be the A20 Pro processor.

According to semiconductor industry sources, Apple is likely to be among the first customers to adopt TSMC's next-generation 2nm manufacturing process. The transition is viewed as a major technological milestone following several years of smartphone development centred around 3nm production nodes.

Compared with current technology, a 2nm chip is expected to offer significantly higher transistor density, delivering stronger performance while reducing power consumption.

This means the iPhone 18 Pro Max could handle AI processing, graphics-intensive applications and gaming more effectively while simultaneously extending battery life without requiring dramatic increases in battery size.

As on-device artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important, energy efficiency is expected to become a critical differentiator. Apple is reportedly investing heavily in next-generation AI features that run directly on iPhones, requiring hardware that is both powerful and energy efficient.

New 48MP camera system could raise the bar

Apple is also expected to significantly upgrade the camera system on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

According to leaks, the device may feature a new 48-megapixel main sensor equipped with variable aperture technology. This allows either users or the camera system itself to adjust the lens opening depending on lighting conditions and shooting requirements.

The feature has appeared on several premium Android smartphones in recent years but has never been implemented on an iPhone.

In addition, multiple reports suggest Apple is aiming to equip all three rear cameras on the iPhone 18 Pro Max with 48MP sensors, including the main, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. If realised, the device's imaging and video capabilities could establish a new benchmark within the premium smartphone segment.

Will the iPhone 18 Pro Max become more expensive?

The combination of battery, camera and processor upgrades will inevitably increase Apple's production costs. In particular, 2nm chips are expected to be substantially more expensive than current 3nm processors due to manufacturing complexity and initially limited yields.

Surprisingly, however, many industry analysts believe Apple may choose not to increase the global retail price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The primary reason is growing competitive pressure, particularly in China, the world's largest smartphone market. Domestic manufacturers such as Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO and vivo continue to launch premium devices with powerful specifications at increasingly competitive prices.

Under these circumstances, Apple may be willing to accept lower profit margins in order to maintain the attractiveness of its flagship products. The company has employed similar strategies in key markets before when defending market share against Android competitors.

Although the iPhone 18 Pro Max remains more than a year away from launch, current leaks suggest it is being positioned as one of Apple's most significant smartphone upgrades in years.

Hai Phong