Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max might break its longstanding thinness streak by thickening to around 9 mm and tipping the scales at roughly 240 grams-according to recent leaks. That’s a notable change from the race to ultra-slim designs but probably won’t feel bulky in the hand. An increase of just 0.25 mm equates to about two sheets of office paper, and 7 grams added is barely noticeable in your pocket.
The increased thickness won’t come solely from the larger 5567 mAh battery. Rumors suggest Apple is considering a new stainless steel vapor chamber cooling system for the Pro Max, which demands extra internal space. This aligns with current industry trends as smartphone chips run hotter and extended battery life becomes a priority over shaving fractions of a millimeter. Android flagships have embraced such trade-offs for years-Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, for example, packs a 5000 mAh cell, while Chinese brands regularly push 5400 to 6000 mAh batteries.
But the most eye-catching news might be pricing. The base iPhone 18 Pro could jump to $1,300, a $200 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro, with some analysts forecasting the Pro Max variant could climb by as much as $300. Apple CEO Tim Cook linked recent price hikes to rising memory costs earlier this year, and Apple has already raised prices on several products. So pricier Pro models wouldn’t be a surprise.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max alongside a foldable iPhone sometime in early September. That timing coincides with autonomy becoming a major selling point in premium smartphones. According to Counterpoint Research, devices priced above $600 now account for over 25% of global smartphone revenue daily. At this tier, users are more willing to accept extra bulk if it means longer battery life and improved cooling performance.