The iPhone Air may not have sold much, but it probably deserves credit for one thing: it encouraged Apple to be a little more daring with the design of the Pro models, which are significantly thicker than their direct predecessors. And the market apparently rewarded the Cupertino giant, as the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are selling remarkably well. According to the latest rumors, Apple doesn’t intend to stop there: the next-generation Pros will be even thicker—and heavier .
The rumor comes from one of the many leakers proliferating on the Chinese social network Weibo, known by the nickname Instant Digital, according to which the iPhone 18 Pro Max will exceed the 240g threshold in weight. For reference, the 17 Pro Max is already quite a lightweight, at 233g, while the 16 Pro Max weighed in at 227g. Unfortunately, we don’t have more precise details on the 18 Pro, but it’s safe to assume a similar progression – last year’s model weighs 199g, this year’s 206g.
The source doesn’t even reveal the precise thickness data, but simply says it will increase “a little.” For reference, the two iPhone 16 Pro models measured 8.25 mm, while the two 17 Pro models are a full 8.75 mm, half a millimeter more. Could the two next-gen models actually surpass the psychological threshold of 9 mm ? If nothing else, it’s easy to imagine that all this will benefit battery capacity, which will be even higher; but perhaps this isn’t as good news as one might think – if Apple switched to high-density Si-C technology as we’ve seen many Chinese manufacturers do, it wouldn’t need these design compromises to ensure super-long battery life. Evidently, 2026 won’t be the right year for the big leap either.
The anticipated iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models are rumored to feature increased thickness and weight, potentially exceeding 9 mm. This change could contribute to enhanced battery capacity; however, the implications of such a design shift are debatable. If Apple were to adopt high-density silicon carbide (Si-C) technology, as seen with various Chinese manufacturers, it may negate the need for these additional design compromises while still achieving extended battery life. As the launch date approaches, it remains essential to consider that these specifications are not yet confirmed and may evolve before the final release.