Recent regulatory filings in China have unveiled the battery capacities for Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. These documents suggest that both devices will see increases in battery size compared to their predecessors.
According to the filings, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to house a 4,056mAh battery in its Chinese variant and a 4,288mAh battery in the U.S. version. This marks a modest increase from the iPhone 17 Pro’s 3,988mAh and 4,252mAh capacities, respectively. The iPhone 18 Pro Max, on the other hand, shows a more substantial boost, with a 5,391mAh battery for the Chinese model and a 5,567mAh battery for the U.S. version. These figures represent nearly a 500mAh increase over the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 4,823mAh and 5,088mAh capacities.
The difference in battery sizes between the Chinese and U.S. models can be attributed to the presence of a physical SIM tray in the Chinese versions. Since the iPhone 14 lineup, U.S. models have adopted an eSIM-only design, eliminating the SIM tray and allowing for slightly larger batteries due to the freed-up internal space.
These battery enhancements are expected to complement other rumored features of the iPhone 18 Pro series, including a smaller Dynamic Island, a variable aperture main camera, and the integration of Apple’s C2 modem in markets outside the U.S. The devices are anticipated to launch in September, potentially alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
While the increases in battery capacity are noteworthy, the real-world impact on battery life will depend on various factors, including software optimization and the efficiency of the new A20 Pro chip. Consumers should consider these elements when evaluating the potential benefits of the upcoming models.
