New leaks suggest that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro could feature a noticeably thicker body compared to its predecessor, sparking curiosity among tech enthusiasts about the reason behind the design change.
Thicker than previous Pro models
According to early reports, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may measure between 9.9mm and 10.9mm in thickness, which is a clear jump from:
- iPhone 17 Pro: ~8.75mm
- iPhone 16 Pro: ~8.25mm
If these leaks are accurate, the upcoming model would mark one of the biggest design thickness increases in recent Pro-series history.
Bigger camera system driving the change
The main reason behind the increased thickness appears to be a major camera upgrade. Reports suggest Apple is working on a variable aperture camera system, allowing users to control the amount of light entering the sensor.
This feature could significantly improve:
- Low-light photography
- Depth-of-field control
- Overall image flexibility in different lighting conditions
However, this advanced hardware is expected to require more internal space, contributing to the thicker design.
Larger battery expected too
The additional internal space may also be used for a bigger battery, which could improve overall usage time:
- iPhone 18 Pro: ~4288mAh (leaked estimate)
- iPhone 17 Pro: ~4252mAh
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: ~5567mAh (leaked estimate)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: ~5088mAh
If true, this would be one of the more meaningful battery upgrades in recent Pro models.
What it means for users
While a thicker phone may not sound appealing at first, the trade-off could bring:
- Better photography control
- Longer battery life
- Improved overall performance in real-world use
As with all early leaks, these details are not confirmed yet, but they suggest that Apple may be prioritizing function over ultra-thin design in the next Pro lineup.
