Apple iPhone 18 Pro max battery leak reveals larger 5,567mAh cell for US model

With the launch of the iPhone 18 drawing closer, leaks and fresh insights have pushed anticipation to a fever pitch. The upcoming lineup, expected to comprise the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, has now surfaced in regulatory filings in China. The listing, shared by tipster Digital Chat Station, appears to reveal the battery capacities of the purported iPhone models. The leaked certification details also point to regional battery differences between the US and international variants of the iPhone 18 lineup.

The information comes from Digital Chat Station, who spotted the devices on China's Compulsory Certification (CCC) website. While the listings do not explicitly mention the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max by name, the battery model numbers included in the filings are believed to correspond to the two upcoming devices.

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According to the certification filings, the iPhone 18 Pro could be equipped with a 4,056mAh battery in China and a larger 4,288mAh battery in the US. If these figures prove accurate, they would represent a modest upgrade over the iPhone 17 Pro, which packs 3,988mAh and 4,254mAh batteries in the Chinese and US markets, respectively.

iPhone 18 Pro Max

New regulatory filings indicate that the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max could pack a 5,567mAh battery. In comparison, the international variant is expected to feature a 5,357mAh cell, marking yet another year in which Apple offers a slightly larger battery in its US model. By comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with 4,823mAh and 5,088mAh batteries in the respective regions.

The certification documents also list a rated energy capacity of up to 21.751Wh, a 4.520V charging limit, and regulatory approvals that remain valid until May or June 2031.

Apple has followed a similar approach since the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022. US iPhones no longer include a physical SIM tray, relying entirely on eSIM technology. The additional internal space created by removing the SIM slot has enabled Apple to fit slightly larger batteries in its US models, while international variants continue to accommodate a physical SIM tray.

The iPhone 18 series is widely expected to debut in September. Reports suggest Apple could unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone later this year, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could arrive in spring 2027 as part of a split launch strategy.