Main points
- The iPhone 18 Pro Max may get a battery with a capacity of over 5,000 mAh, which is a significant step for Apple, which previously focused on the energy efficiency of processors.
- It is expected to use the new A20 Pro processor, as well as new silicon anode battery technology, which will increase energy density without increasing size.
Apple is preparing the largest battery in iPhone history / Collage 24 Channel/Depositphotos
New rumors indicate that Apple's upcoming flagship could significantly change its approach to battery life. It's not just about optimization, but also a noticeable increase in battery capacity, something users have been waiting for for years.
Is Apple really ready to increase the battery?
According to information from the well-known insider Digital Chat Station, Apple is preparing a serious update for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The smartphone will allegedly receive a battery with a capacity of more than 5,000 mAh. Moreover, for international versions, indicators are mentioned that may exceed 5,200 mAh, writes PhoneArena.
This is an atypical move for Apple. For many years, the company has focused not on increasing physical capacity, but on energy efficiency of processors and deep optimization of iOS. That is why Pro Max models often demonstrated good autonomy even with batteries of smaller capacity than those of Android competitors.
Along with the new battery, the source also mentions the A20 Pro processor, manufactured using a two-nanometer process. According to industry sources, Apple may use the standard N2 variant from TSMC, abandoning the more expensive N2P, MacRumors previously noted. The reason is pragmatic – the difference in performance is minimal, and the cost is much higher. In conjunction with the new chip, even a moderate increase in capacity can give a noticeable increase in operating time.
Batteries with new technology
Rumors about a new battery technology are attracting special attention. According to the South Korean publication Electronic Times, Apple is working on batteries with a silicon anode. This chemistry allows for increased energy density without significantly increasing the size. This is what makes the scenario with a battery of more than 5,000 mAh realistic.
This is also supported by an older leak from November 2025, published by the well-known insider Instant Digital. At that time, it was reported that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could weigh about 240 grams. For comparison, its predecessor weighed about 233 grams. The difference is not critical, but in the era of the pursuit of thinness and lightness, it looks significant and may indicate a larger battery.
Catching up with competitors
Despite this, even such a move looks more like an attempt to catch up than a breakthrough. Chinese manufacturers have long crossed a psychological line:
- For example, the OnePlus 15 is equipped with a 7,300 mAh battery.
- And Xiaomi is experimenting with smartphones with 10,000 mAh batteries.
Until the official announcement, all this data remains at the level of rumors. However, Digital Chat Station's reputation as a source is quite high, so the likelihood of serious changes in the Pro Max line looks real. The only question is whether users will perceive this as an innovation or as a belated but necessary step.