Leaker Digital Chat Station claims Apple is testing the iPhone 18 Pro with only modest battery increases over the current generation. The China version reportedly packs a roughly 4,056 mAh cell, while the U.S. eSIM-only model reaches about 4,288 mAh. Both figures represent year-over-year gains of less than 2% compared to the iPhone 17 Pro.

The capacity gap between regional variants stems from a physical design difference. Apple's U.S. iPhones dropped the SIM card tray starting with the iPhone 14, freeing internal space for a slightly larger battery. Chinese models still ship with a physical tray, which eats into that available room and limits cell size.

Raw capacity numbers rarely tell the whole story. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to run on Apple's A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process for better power efficiency. The devices should also adopt Apple's C2 modem, which could further reduce battery drain during cellular use.

Apple typically launches new iPhones in September. Beyond battery and silicon changes, the iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control button, and an upgraded main camera with variable aperture. The Pro Max variant is separately expected to cross the 5,000 mAh threshold.