iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, no tile effect? The latest leaks on design and colors

The latest rumors about the upcoming Apple flagship contradict previous months' speculation. According to the well-known leaker Ice Universe, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will maintain a thickness of 8.75 mm, the same measurement as the current iPhone 17 Pro Max. This design choice would break the trend of increasing physical dimensions for Pro models, offering continuity in overall ergonomics.

However, maintaining the thickness does not imply an unchanged weight. Other insiders, including Instant Digital, suggest that the device's weight could still exceed 240 grams, making it the heaviest smartphone ever produced by the Cupertino company. This increase would be linked to a redesign of the internal components, particularly the adoption of a larger battery. According to Digital Chat Station, the battery is expected to be in a range between 5,100 and 5,200 mAh, a decent step up from the 5,088 mAh of the previous model.

Unchanged thickness and increased battery for the flagship
This apparent lack of aesthetic evolution has a precise technical explanation. As reported in a MacRumors report, Apple’s R&D division would have focused more on developing the much-discussed iPhone Ultra, the brand's first foldable model. Consequently, the traditional Pro lineup will receive more targeted and incremental updates.

As for specifications, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will maintain the 6.9-inch screen but will introduce a more compact Dynamic Island, a new-generation proprietary C2 modem, simplified camera control, and a main sensor with variable aperture. Regarding aesthetics, there is persistent talk of three new colors for the aluminum frame: Cloud Blue, Dark Gray, and the new Dark Cherry, a dark red shade destined to become the flagship color variant of the 2026 generation. Although some images of components leaked on the Naver blog from the account yeux1122 were subsequently identified as possible AI manipulations, the Pantone color codes circulated in the industry confirm Apple’s interest in these specific shades.

The official presentation of the new range of iOS devices is expected in mid-September, during which we will discover whether the conservative design strategy will enhance battery life.