Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Be the Heaviest iPhone Ever

Apple’s forthcoming iPhone designs are starting to take form, and preliminary details regarding the iPhone 18 Pro Max indicate that the idea of a flagship product might not be totally discredited. One automatically thinks about the reports stating that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone but the leaks hint that the classic Pro and Pro Max will again be the main models when the iPhone 18 series comes out probably in 2026.

As per the reports from different sources in the supply chain and the industry, the iPhone 18 Pro, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max are likely to be released with changes in design, display technology, camera hardware, connectivity, and internal chips. A complete list of what is being speculated is given below.

Design that we are familiar with, small but intentional changes

At first sight, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will not be much different from the Pro models that came before it. According to leaks, all three cameras will still be present in a raised area at the back, just like before. The overall iconic shape is not going to change but rather coexist with the current design language.

Nonetheless, changes in the design are very discreet and small. One of the reports mentions that Apple is trying out a semi-transparent Ceramic Shield treatment around the MagSafe ring area. It is not clear how much this will be visible in everyday life, but it might have a small effect on the appearance of the back cover.

The iPhone may also gain some weight. According to some sources, Apple is exploring the option of making the Pro Max thicker to house a bigger battery. If this plan goes ahead, the total weight of the phone could be above 240 grams, which would mean it would be heavier than the previous iPhones in the category. For reference, it is expected that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will weigh around 233 grams.

It is reported that Apple is going back to its packaging strategy. The back glass may be redesigned to visually merge with the metal frame, instead of the current two-tone look. A new exceptional color is said to be assessed alongside this, with dark brown, deep purple, and a color similar to burgundy being among the options.

Size of the display remains constant, design is debated

It is predicted that the sizes of the screens will not change. The iPhone 18 Pro will still have a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max is probably going to have a 6.9-inch panel.

The main point of discussion is the front-facing design. There are reports suggesting that Apple is experimenting with a hole-punch cutout in the upper left corner to completely remove the Dynamic Island. On the contrary, some analysts think that Apple will keep the Dynamic Island but make it even smaller instead of getting rid of it.

The topic of under-display Face ID is yet another one where there’s doubt. The word is that Apple is trying to conceal the TrueDepth cameras under the screen by using a special transparent layer that permits infrared light to pass through. Some leaks say this piece of technology may be used on the iPhone 18 Pro variants, while others claim it won’t be ready for mass production by that time.

A number of sources seem to arrive at a compromise scenario: a smaller Dynamic Island, no under-display Face ID for now, and a lessening in the size of the front camera module to reduce the cutout size.

Photography is becoming a critical feature for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. One change that has been widely talked about is the introduction of a variable aperture on the main camera. This, if it happens, will enable the users to control the amount of light entering the sensor, which will further enhance the capabilities over exposure and background blur.

Rumors have it that there will be larger apertures on both the main and telephoto cameras, which will be advantageous for shooting in darkness. On the side of the sensor, Apple is said to be looking into a new triple-layer stacked image sensor from Samsung for at least one of the Pro models. This sensor is predicted to cut down noise, speed up the process, and provide an overall better range of light for stills and videos.

Upgrades in the area of connectivity are also expected. In the case of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, it is thought that the phone will be equipped with Apple's latest internal modem, nicknamed the C2. It is believed that the new chip will outperform and will be more energy-efficient than the current C1 and C1X modems.

Above all, the leaks indicate that the C2 modem is capable of returning mmWave 5G support, thereby equalizing the situation with Qualcomm-based solutions and enhancing the high-speed 5G performance in certain areas.

Internally, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to come with Apple’s A20 series processor. The A20 manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process is expected to be a noticeable breakthrough in speed and power efficiency. Initial calculations suggest a performance increment of about 15% and a reduction in power consumption of up to 30% when compared to A19.

Besides, the chip is also predicted to leverage TSMC’s wafer-level multi-chip module technology which essentially provides very close proximity of the memory to the processor cores. The result is that not only the on-device AI tasks will be boosted but battery life will also be extended and more internal space will be made available for other components.

Nonetheless, the 2nm production process is quite expensive. It is reported that the manufacturing costs are already way above that of the current 3nm chips.

Consequently, it is likely that Apple will limit the A20's top version only to the most expensive units. According to some leaks, the iPhone 18 standard model might come equipped with the basic A20 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max would have the powerful A20 Pro.

Although nothing is confirmed yet, the leaks present the iPhone 18 Pro Max as a more of an overhaul than a straightforward replacement device. The introduction of a heavier body with a larger battery, improvements in camera hardware, a possible redesign of the front display, faster connectivity, and an uptick to next-generation chip transfer rate appear to be the main points to discuss.

As it is with all early leaks, the plans may change before the launch. Nevertheless, if even a part of this roadmap is true, Apple’s 2026 Pro models could be one of the more significant internal upgrades the iPhone has seen in years.