Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is expected to bring a slightly larger battery, but a new leak suggests the increase will be much smaller than last year’s upgrade. While battery capacity is only one part of the story, the latest figures indicate Apple is focusing more on efficiency improvements than a major battery size increase.
According to Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is testing different battery capacities for the Chinese and U.S. versions of the iPhone 18 Pro. The difference reportedly comes from the physical SIM card tray that remains available in China, while U.S. models continue to rely on eSIM technology.
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| Model | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Leak | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| China (Physical SIM) | 3,988 mAh | 4,056 mAh | +68 mAh (+1.7%) |
| U.S. (eSIM-only) | 4,252 mAh | 4,288 mAh | +36 mAh (+0.8%) |
The numbers suggest only a modest year-over-year increase, especially compared to the larger battery gains seen in previous generations.
Efficiency Could Matter More
Battery capacity alone does not determine battery life. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly use TSMC’s advanced 2nm manufacturing process. That upgrade should improve power efficiency and help deliver longer battery life even without a major increase in battery size.
Apple is also expected to introduce its next-generation C2 modem, which could further reduce power consumption during daily use.
The same leaker previously claimed that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature Apple’s largest battery yet. Supply chain information reportedly points to a battery capacity around 5,000 mAh for the Chinese version and roughly 5,100 mAh to 5,200 mAh for international models.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September with a smaller Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control button, and an upgraded main camera featuring a variable aperture.
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