Chinese leak posted on Weibo by tipster Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max will ship with a 5,000 mAh battery in China, while overseas models could carry 5,100–5,200 mAh cells. The rumor credits the new 2 nm A20 Pro chipset for extending runtime despite the modest capacity bump.

Apple’s decision to vary capacity stems from the Chinese version retaining a physical SIM tray, which consumes more internal volume than the eSIM‑only designs slated for most markets. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max housed a 4,832 mAh battery with a physical SIM and a 5,088 mAh unit for eSIM users, so the jump remains incremental.

Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro series this September, reportedly abandoning the lower‑priced iPhone 18 line altogether. Skipping the standard tier could tighten profit margins but may also push budget‑conscious buyers toward older models or competitors. Observers will watch whether the modest battery lift convinces users to upgrade.