Both the iPhone 18 Pro’s aluminum frame and camera body are expected to become thicker than those of the iPhone 17 Pro, according to new posts from the leaker known as “Fixed Focus Digital.”
In a Weibo post today, the leaker said that aluminum alloy middle bezels “will be used in straight-edged phones for a long time,” referring to Apple’s continued use of the material introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro rather than a return to titanium. Citing leaked documents from Tata, the leaker claimed that the iPhone 18 Pro’s overall body and rear camera tray will be thicker than the current model, which amounts to an increase of around 2mm that the leaker says he can now confirm first-hand. The leaker added that the final thickness figure “will indeed be somewhat surprising.”
The message links to two of the leaker’s previous claims. In one, Fixed Focus Digital said the iPhone 18 Pro line will “still feature aluminum alloy construction” with “effectively excellent” heat dissipation, while warning that buyers should be cautious about new color options given the surface discoloration and peeling that has affected some iPhone 17 Pro units. In the other, the leaker said that supply chain feedback confirmed the iPhone 18 Pro’s main camera upgrade and indicated that the aluminum alloy rear panel would increase by 2mm.
That 2mm figure matches a separate post shared by the leaker on July 4, which estimated the overall thickness of the iPhone 18 Pro models would be between 9.9 and 10.9mm. This would mark a substantial jump over the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which both measure 8.75mm thick. It also builds on dummy models shared in April, which suggested the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s camera tray would increase to 11.54mm, compared to 11.23mm on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The additional volume would be linked to a redesigned main camera system. The device is widely rumored to feature the iPhone’s first variable aperture lens, a component that would cost Apple 50% more than the current fixed aperture lens. Production of the new module is expected to accelerate at suppliers such as LG Innotek and Sunny Optical.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone in September.
