iPhone 18 Pro Max's Thicker Design Could Make It Heaviest iPhone Ever

[Jeeve Stubbs]

Apple: "So people don't like our thin iPhone Air? Fine, we'll make our phones thicker and heavier then. That'll teach them!"

 

[Dark_Omen]

I have a 17 pro max and it feels cheap

 

[frownface]

They are hypocritical…

Massive numbers of dead AirPods hit the landfill annually.

yeah but but they planted some trees in their spaceship campus.

 

[frownface]

The leaker doesn't give a specific reason for the alleged thicker design of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but a larger battery is the most likely cause. Apple is also said to be adopting a new type of vapor chamber that uses stainless steel.

So they're going back to stainless steel? Looking forward to the iphone 20 that introduces titanium.

 

[Agent007]

Furthermore, the metre is defined in length by reference to the speed of light in metres per second. The Second, by the frequency of caesium 133 and the humble Yard, by reference to the metre, 0.9144 metres to be precise.

Not really condescension, more just facts really.

I was half serious, half joking around but it's a misconception that the metric system isn't used in the US. Basically anything related to science is in metric starting with public schools in 7th or 8th grade. Meteorology is a notable exception at least in terms of weather forecasts.

For some measurements, we use both: three good examples are liquor (mL and fluid oz.) ammunition (.50 BMG = 12.7x99mm NATO) and drugs (ounces of weed vs. grams of coke). Literally every pothead knows there are 28 grams in an ounce lol.

 

[zenmacx]

So they're going back to stainless steel? Looking forward to the iphone 20 that introduces titanium.

The article goes on to say that in an effort to appeal to all buyers, multiple materials will be implemented. Laser welded stainless steel, bonded carbon fiber, laminated titanium, recycled aluminum, polycarbonate resin and sapphire crystal. Estimated to sell for a modest $2,950 USD. /s

 

[svish]

With weight almost similar to the 14 Pro Max, don’t think it is going to be an issue especially with a bigger battery. Camera improvements might not have much of an impact with the overall weight.

 

[ForkHandles]

I was half serious, half joking around but it's a misconception that the metric system isn't used in the US. Basically anything related to science is in metric starting with public schools in 7th or 8th grade. Meteorology is a notable exception at least in terms of weather forecasts.

For some measurements, we use both: three good examples are liquor (mL and fluid oz.) ammunition (.50 BMG = 12.7x99mm NATO) and drugs (ounces of weed vs. grams of coke). Literally every pothead knows there are 28 grams in an ounce lol.

I love that comment about potheads! I’m sure when I was in the market for that kind of stuff it was all eighths of an ounce. Hee Hee 😂😆🤣

To be fair, most Europeans don’t have a clue about the details in post #2

Did you ever see the SNL skit about George Washington waxing lyrical about the bright new future of America’s weights and measures? Really funny. That’s where I get my stereotypes from I guess.

 

[Jashar7]

I just want a phone I can fit comfortably in my hand, and use one-handed. Bring back the mini.

BHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Jashar7]

Hardware changes Apple has planned for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will make it the heaviest iPhone yet, claims a Chinese leaker.

Apple isn't expected to change the screen size of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and it will feature the same 6.9-inch display as the current model. However, according to Weibo-based account Instant Digital, the body of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, tipping its weight over 240 grams.

In a follow-up post on Weibo, Instant Digital says the difference between the two generations will be about 10 grams, so it sounds like we're looking at around 243 grams. That would make next year's iPhone 18 Pro Max approximately 3 grams more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is currently the heaviest model Apple has produced.

Apple's use of titanium instead of stainless steel made the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models lighter. Apple then switched away from titanium to less-dense aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro models, but internal changes and slightly thicker designs bumped up their weight again. The iPhone 17 Pro Max weighs 233 grams, up from 227 grams.

Pro Max model weights:

• iPhone XS Max: 208 grams
• iPhone 11 Pro Max: 226 grams
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: 228 grams
• iPhone 13 Pro Max: 238 grams
• iPhone 14 Pro Max: 240 grams
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221 grams
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 227 grams
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 233 grams
• iPhone 18 Pro Max: ~243 grams?

In a swipe at the iPhone Air's reported poor sales, the leaker claims Apple has "figured out" that making iPhones thinner and lighter doesn't necessarily make them more attractive to consumers if that means compromising on features and battery life.

The leaker doesn't give a specific reason for the alleged thicker design of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but a larger battery is the most likely cause. Apple is also said to be adopting a new type of vapor chamber that uses stainless steel.

In addition, there are camera upgrades rumored – a Main camera with a variable aperture and a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung – and potentially changes coming to the Dynamic Island and Face ID. Whether the weight increase is due to the cumulative effect of multiple changes or a single hardware upgrade remains unclear.

Instant Digital has a mixed but occasionally reliable track record. The account previously revealed accurate details such as the Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus finishes and the Titanium Milanese Loop for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, though not all of its past claims have proven correct.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in the fall of 2026.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro Max's Thicker Design Could Make It Heaviest iPhone Ever

Yess Apple give me more thickness, more size and bigger

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

In a follow-up post on Weibo, Instant Digital says the difference between the two generations will be about 10 grams, so it sounds like we're looking at around 243 grams. That would make next year's iPhone 18 Pro Max approximately 3 grams more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is currently the heaviest model Apple has produced.

Apple's use of titanium instead of stainless steel made the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models lighter. Apple then switched away from titanium to less-dense aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro models, but internal changes and slightly thicker designs bumped up their weight again. The iPhone 17 Pro Max weighs 233 grams, up from 227 grams.

Pro Max model weights:

• iPhone XS Max: 208 grams
• iPhone 11 Pro Max: 226 grams
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: 228 grams
• iPhone 13 Pro Max: 238 grams
• iPhone 14 Pro Max: 240 grams
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221 grams
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 227 grams
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 233 grams
• iPhone 18 Pro Max: ~243 grams?

Wow the air makes so much more sense now…like Apple of course new wha was coming (heavier from 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, etc?

But now they’ll surely have to beef up the air so it’ll gain some weight but more features…first gen truly will be the most airy for the foreseeable future, then…

And yeah going from titanium to alum is not the move…what was the OG XS MAX, stainless, no?

That phone must’ve been amazing. What with the incredible tech at the time and light weight, wow…I had 8 plus to 12 pro (not the move, either, should’ve went w/ 12 pro max…)

But with 16 pro max it’s def the perfect balance of weight and features.

You have something with more features/components you add weight to a product.

Imagine that....

I mean 15 pro max was far more advanced than 14 max (just off Apple Intelligence and spatial camera option alone) yet was otherworldly in weight-loss..

Give me a bigger screen

Sounds like you’re in the market for the upcoming iPhold

Having just walked around a phone store in Thailand, all I can say is you don’t need to make a phone heavier to have a larger screen and no camera bump. Apple has lost the plot. Almost every Chinese phone there (and there were many) had a larger screen than the max and was super easy to hold. I picked up the 17 pro max at the end and it was the heaviest and bulkiest by far. Give me plastic if that is the difference, I don’t care, they looked great and didn’t feel like a brick.

Bro…you should’ve ran out of that store like it was on fire. You were surrounded by data greedy constantly eavesdropping android stuff. Yikes!

Can't believe they're changing the dimensions yet again. Please just settle on a design and dimensions for a couple years, Apple! For a company that wants to be environmentally conscious, they sure do cause tons of iPhone cases to be thrown in the ocean every year.

Yeah I’d love to hear an honest truly honest answer to why change designs so often when claiming eco…I mean every once in a while I get (adding water cooling ala 17 pro max or better mics ala 16 pro max), but EVRY year making last years phone case incompatible with the new model? Not a good look for Apple..but we all know why SMH

They are hypocritical…

Massive numbers of dead AirPods hit the landfill annually.

I mean in apples defense, at the very least don’t they offer turn in and they’ll recycle? I bet they’d even pay shipping if you don’t have an Apple Store nearby…I’d go that route before ever just tossing em in the garbo.

Make it even heavier. Encourage less phone use. Like this: Solid Steel case

This is actually a brilliant idea imo surprised I haven’t seen this long before..

15PM was my favorite phone in ages, because it actually went down in weight. Now they are firmly moving away from what I want.

hope some Air DNA survives in the rumored Fold…

Bro 15 pro max was amazing compared to my trailer park 14 pro max. That thing was ghastly. Only thing I miss is the shiny silver sides

“You don’t like my thin light iPhone air , I make your phones thick and heavy “ Tim

Bro you win the internet today. Hilarious. It reads like he’s Chinese but it’s not a below the belt Asian joke… it’s funny cuz of all the Chinese factories involved in production. Brilliant

I don't need my phone to be Air light, but I *finally* talked my GF into trying an iPhone a few years ago. She got an iPhone 13 Pro, which was the current phone at the time time, and nope - the thing was too heavy. I bought it from her and noticed it was heavy. Big difference when I got my 15 pro. If the 18 is as heavy as the 13 or heavier (I know the article was talking about Max versions, but I would be interested in the Pro not Max version) then it would need some other killer benefit for me to switch from my 15 Pro. If the 18 is noticeably heavier, I might even get a 17 instead.

Tell her droid is 1 billion percent spy software…would she want a peeping tom around her 24/7?…

Unless she’s still away from android, that is.

When I first got the 14 Pro to replace iPhone X I had to tighten my belt slightly. It literally pulled down my pants.

Yup when pocketing it a belt is a must should ones pants not be slightly tight already but who buys pants like that?…

This.

I've had all of the biggest iPhones. Never going back to a Pro Max. Even the regular Pro feels like a brick.

They're going backwards for incremental camera and chip upgrades every year.

I commend your stance. You know what you value and what you don’t. And that it’s still within apples magnificent garden makes it all the better.

Apple: "So people don't like our thin iPhone Air? Fine, we'll make our phones thicker and heavier then. That'll teach them!"

Sorry but joke was already done and to greater effect. If you wrote that off the top of your head your creativity is in the right place. Good job.

I have a 17 pro max and it feels cheap

I believe it’s because of the aluminum and the two tone materials on the back…I’ve seen em in person and they remind me (design wise with the wide camera) of some sort of robot so it’s like yeah…I can def see someone saying they’re toy-like…

For some measurements, we use both: three good examples are liquor (mL and fluid oz.) ammunition (.50 BMG = 12.7x99mm NATO) and drugs (ounces of weed vs. grams of coke). Literally every pothead knows there are 28 grams in an ounce lol.

Lmao

“Don’t you put that on me, Ricky Bobby!!!”

We’ve been getting shorted for YEARS. smh

It’s actually 28.35 approximately…

 

[beautyहमempty]

I came from the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so ofc my new 17 pro max weighs less. It’s rounded corners make it feel thinner, although it’s actually thicker than the 14 pro max

 

[goodcow]

BHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I don't understand how this is funny.

 

[transpo1]

I came from the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so ofc my new 17 pro max weighs less. It’s rounded corners make it feel thinner, although it’s actually thicker than the 14 pro max

I actually miss my 14 Pro Max-- it was heavier but thinner than the 15PM. And it had something the 17 Pro Max does NOT have: the Black colorway 📲

 

[transpo1]

I have a 17 pro max and it feels cheap

I thought it would for me, too, but when I held it in the store it felt surprisingly solid. Still like the shiny bauble feel of my 15 Pro Max better.