The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to feature a significant battery capacity upgrade, with leaked reports suggesting the device could reach up to 5,425 mAh for the eSIM-only variant. According to details shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the leaker fireuniverse on May 2, 2025, the capacity will differ based on regional SIM configurations, marking a substantial increase over the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
How much power will the iPhone 18 Pro Max hold?
Leaked technical specifications indicate that Apple is planning a two-tier battery strategy for its upcoming flagship. The eSIM-only model is slated to house a 5,425 mAh battery, while the version retaining a physical SIM card slot will feature a 5,235 mAh capacity, according to fireuniverse. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max launched with 5,088 mAh in its eSIM-only configuration and 4,823 mAh in the physical SIM version.

If these figures are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro Max would surpass the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which holds a typical battery capacity of 5,000 mAh. This would be a rare instance of an Apple flagship outperforming a direct competitor in raw battery capacity metrics.
Why do battery sizes vary by region?
The discrepancy between the 5,425 mAh and 5,235 mAh capacities is largely attributed to the internal physical space required for a SIM card tray. Devices sold in markets that still rely heavily on physical SIM cards require a dedicated internal module that occupies space otherwise available for battery cells. By removing the tray in eSIM-only versions, Apple gains additional internal volume to expand the battery footprint.
What is the reliability of these leaks?
While the figures provided by fireuniverse offer a specific look at potential hardware changes, they remain unverified rumors. Precise, granular data points are often subject to change during the manufacturing process. Apple typically maintains strict secrecy regarding its hardware specifications until the official launch event, which is expected to take place in September. Industry analysts suggest that while the trend toward larger batteries is consistent with Apple’s recent product roadmap, final capacities may be adjusted during the testing phases.
Pro Tip: Managing Battery Health
Regardless of the total capacity, you can extend the longevity of your current iPhone battery by enabling “Optimized Battery Charging” in your Settings. This feature limits the time your phone spends at full charge, reducing stress on the lithium-ion cells over time.

Frequently Asked Questions
- When will the iPhone 18 Pro Max be released?
Apple is expected to officially unveil the device in September, following its traditional annual release cycle. - Will the battery size increase for all iPhone 18 models?
The current leak specifically addresses the Pro Max variant. Information regarding the base models and the standard Pro version has not yet been confirmed. - Why is the eSIM-only version larger?
Removing the physical SIM tray frees up internal space that engineers can utilize to fit a higher-capacity battery cell.
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