iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Pack Up to 5,425mAh Battery, Largest Ever on an Apple iPhone: Report
The iPhone 18 Pro Max's exact battery capacity has reportedly leaked, with the eSIM-only model potentially packing a massive 5,425 mAh and the physical SIM variant at 5,235 mAh. These rumoured figures suggest a significant upgrade over the iPhone 17 Pro Max and would surpass the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's 5,000 mAh battery.
Cupertino tech giant Apple is reportedly gearing up to equip its forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max with its largest batteries yet, according to recent leaks that have sent ripples across the technology world. The unconfirmed figures suggest a substantial upgrade in capacity, hinting at enhanced endurance for Apple's next flagship smartphone, expected to debut in September 2026.
According to a leak circulating on social media this week, and widely reported by tech publications, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,235 mAh for the physical SIM model. The eSIM-only version is tipped to boast an even larger 5,425 mAh battery. These numbers, while still unofficial, represent a notable increase compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
For context, the iPhone 17 Pro Max offered 4,823 mAh for its physical SIM model and 5,088 mAh for the eSIM-only variant. If accurate, the rumoured 5,235 mAh capacity for the iPhone 18 Pro Max (physical SIM) marks an approximate 8.5 percent increase, or 412 mAh, over the iPhone 17 Pro Max's physical SIM model. The 5,425 mAh (eSIM-only) variant would see a 6.6 percent, or 337 mAh, jump.
Challenging the Competition
These leaked specifications are particularly significant as they would position the iPhone 18 Pro Max with a larger battery than a key competitor. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, for instance, currently features a 5,000 mAh battery. This potential shift could address a long-standing point of comparison where Apple's iPhones often had smaller raw battery capacities than some Android rivals, relying heavily on software and hardware optimization for longevity. With a larger cell, coupled with the anticipated efficiency gains from Apple's upcoming A20 Pro chip, battery life could emerge as a major highlight of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple iPhone Ultra: What We Know So Far About Apple’s Rumoured Premium Flagship.
Context of Leaks and Expected Launch
It is crucial to note that these battery figures are leaks and have not been officially confirmed by Apple. While the initial source of the leak has been questioned, multiple other sources, including prominent leakers like Digital Chat Station, have previously indicated similar battery improvements for the device. The timing of these leaks also coincides with a reported data breach at Apple's Indian manufacturing partner, Tata Electronics, which exposed confidential information related to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. iPhone 18 Pro: Expected India Price, Launch Date, Specifications and Features Ahead of Apple’s September 2026 Event.
Apple typically holds its annual iPhone launch event in early September. Industry watchers and reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and a rumoured foldable iPhone Ultra, could be unveiled on either September 8 or September 9, 2026. This falls in line with Apple's traditional schedule of launching new iPhones on the first Tuesday or Wednesday after the U.S. Labor Day holiday.
Beyond battery, other rumoured enhancements for the iPhone 18 Pro Max include a smaller Dynamic Island, an updated design with reduced camera bump gaps, and a DSLR-like camera system featuring a variable aperture and a new custom-made Sony IMX-905 image sensor. The iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to introduce a new 'Dark Cherry' signature color. Reports also indicate potential price increases for the iPhone 18 Pro series, possibly up to USD 200 higher than current models.
As with all pre-release information, these details should be treated as speculative until Apple's official announcement. Pricing and specific variants for the Indian market, along with any launch offers, are yet to be announced.
Disclaimer: AI tools assisted in compiling the foundational data and research for this report. The final content was reviewed, edited and verified by human editors at LatestLY.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2026 11:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
