Apple iPhone 18 Pro: Alleged battery capacities leaked
Information regarding the battery capacity of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro has allegedly surfaced, and the figures suggest only a slight increase compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. According to the well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, active on Weibo, Apple is testing the iPhone 18 Pro with different battery capacities for the Chinese and US versions – similar to what they did with the iPhone 17 Pro last year. The Chinese model is said to have a battery with approximately 4,056 mAh, while the US model is rumored to have a battery with approximately 4,288 mAh.
Apple removed the SIM card slot from its US iPhones starting with the iPhone 14 series, while iPhones sold in China still retain it. The iPhone Air is an exception – it supports only eSIM worldwide, including in China. Removing the slot allows Apple to fit a slightly larger battery in the available internal space, which explains the difference in capacity.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro battery capacity
| Model | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Leak | Difference |
| China / Physical SIM | 3,988 mAh | 4,056 mAh | +68 mAh, +1.7 % |
| USA / eSIM | 4,252 mAh | 4,288 mAh | +36 mAh, +0.8 % |
If the figures are accurate, the increase in battery capacity compared to last year would be rather small. The Chinese model would offer approximately 68 mAh more capacity compared to the iPhone 17 Pro with a SIM card slot, while the US eSIM model would have about 36 mAh more capacity compared to the corresponding iPhone 17 Pro – both extremely small differences.
Digital Chat Station claimed in February that the battery capacity of the Pro Max model would increase to around 5,000 mAh. The leaker speculated approximately 5,000 mAh for the Chinese version and about 5,100 to 5,200 mAh for the international versions. It is unclear whether these figures for the iPhone 18 Pro originated from a government database or were based on supply chain information regarding device samples.
It’s also important to note that minor improvements don’t necessarily translate into improved battery life. The next Pro models are expected to benefit from the new A20 Pro chip, manufactured using TSMC’s state-of-the-art 2nm process, which should make it more energy-efficient. The devices will likely also feature Apple’s C2 modem, which could further contribute to longer battery life.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch in September and will feature a smaller Dynamic Island, simplified camera controls, and an improved main camera with a variable aperture.
