A few days ago, we got our first proper look at what appears to be the iPhone 18 Pro in leaked drop-test footage from a Tata Electronics facility. The video showed an unreleased Pro iPhone in a controlled testing setup, and one thing stood out immediately. The device looked noticeably thicker than the current iPhone 17 Pro.
Now, another leak is pointing in the same direction. According to Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital (via MacRumors), the iPhone 18 Pro models could be thicker than the current iPhone 17 Pro series. The leaker says Apple is sticking with an aluminum alloy frame, which was introduced on the iPhone 17 Pro, rather than returning to titanium.
Broadly, the claim is that Apple is making both the main body and rear camera plateau thicker. The increase is said to be around 2mm, which may not sound dramatic on paper, but is a lot for a modern iPhone.
So, what is changing this time?
Fixed Focus Digital previously claimed the iPhone 18 Pro models could land somewhere around 9.9mm to 10.9mm thick. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max both measure 8.75mm thick.
There are a couple of reasons behind the perceived increase in thickness for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. The first one would be the bigger battery. Multiple sources so far have claimed online that the iPhone 18 Pro Max, in particular, is going to get a bigger battery pack, and it could even eclipse what Samsung currently offers on its Galaxy S Ultra flagship phone.
The thickness increase can also be attributed to the upgraded camera system, which is going to get a variable aperture system, according to multiple leaks that have emerged over the past few months.
Is the extra thickness a bad thing?
A thicker iPhone will probably annoy some buyers, especially after years of Apple making slimness a major part of the iPhone’s identity. But if Apple is using the extra room for a bigger battery, better heat dissipation, and a more advanced camera system, the trade-off may be easier to justify.