The iPhone 18 Pro models have been released and the first round of reviews have praised Apple’s new handsets. Highlights include the performance of the A20 Pro chip, longer battery life, variable aperture camera, under-screen Face ID camera, and larger vapor chamber. On the other hand, some early adopters have pointed out the higher prices, colors, and NAND storage quality of the 1TB versions. However, another drawback of the iPhone 18 Pro rarely mentioned in these first-hand experiences is the weight of the phone. Although it has the same measurements as its predecessor, the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 grams, which is 16 grams more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro are almost identical (206 grams versus 211 grams). Additionally, the unreleased iPhone Duo weighs 254 grams, meaning the weight difference between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable handset is only 5 grams.
The increased weight may be noticeable to buyers who have used iPhone Pro Max models in the past, especially the titanium models. Users upgrading from smaller devices may also feel the difference, which could make using the iPhone 18 Pro Max tiring for extended sessions.
Similar sized handsets from the competition are significantly lighter. The Galaxy S26 Ultra (214 grams) and Pixel 11 Pro XL (226 grams) have 6.9-inch and 6.8-inch screens, but they are almost as heavy as the iPhone 18 Pro. Both Android handsets are also lighter than their predecessors: the Galaxy S25 Ultra (218 grams) and the Pixel 10 Pro XL (232 grams).
Recent weight history of the iPhone Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to be the heaviest Pro Max model in Apple’s history to date. The iPhone 13 Pro Max (240 grams) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (240 grams) are the closest. Both handsets featured a stainless steel chassis. Apple replaced steel with titanium in 2023. The iPhone 15 Pro models were significantly lighter: 187 grams (15 Pro) and 221 grams (15 Pro Max). Their successors were slightly heavier, 199 grams and 227 grams respectively. Apple ditched titanium after the iPhone 16 series, replacing it with aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Despite making the iPhone 15 Pro’s weight reduction a selling point, the company didn’t explain the material change last year. But Apple focused on the design of the iPhone 17 Pro, which featured an aluminum chassis including the new camera island and parts of the lower rear panel, as well as the first-ever vapor chamber on an iPhone. The new design implied that titanium was not a good choice, especially given the higher manufacturing costs associated with this material.
Some reviewers have noted the weight of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. For example, CNET said the handset is heavy, “which will cause the wrist to fatigue more quickly in some people.” The “heavier designs” were also mentioned in the Tom’s Guide review, while 9to5Mac said the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s extra weight “compared to its predecessor is evident from the moment you pick up” the larger phone. “There’s a limit to how much a ‘Max’ phone can weigh and still be comfortable to hold, and with the iPhone 18 Pro Max, I think we’ve reached it,” 9to5Mac added.
Why is the iPhone 18 Pro Max so heavy?
The increase in weight can be particularly confusing given that the iPhone 18 Pro Max has the same dimensions as its predecessor, including an identical thickness of 8.75mm. The phone didn’t get any thicker to accommodate the larger battery and vapor chamber, two components highlighted by Apple during the iPhone launch event. In previous years, an increase in thickness usually meant a heavier phone. In 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro Max (228 grams) measured 7.4mm thick and was a notable early exception. The iPhone 11 Pro Max 2019 had an 8.1mm profile and weighed 226 grams. The iPhone 13 Pro Max (240 grams) had a thickness of 7.65 mm. In 2022, the profile of the iPhone 14 Pro Max reached 7.85mm, but the weight has not changed. The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max became thicker (8.25mm), but they were also exceptions. The use of titanium allowed Apple to reduce weight despite increasing depth.
That said, the larger cooling system, which now covers almost the entire handset, could be a key factor. Battery size (5,567 mAh versus 5,088 mAh for the iPhone 17 Pro Max) may be another. Additionally, the rear camera module has additional components for the variable aperture mechanism. However, these parts probably have negligible mass. This is speculation at the time of writing. User X @L0vetodream, who regularly discusses Apple products on social media, blamed the increased weight on the cooling system and battery.
18Pro is a VC operating system and ProMax system.也是来自于这2个部件尤其是电池 pic.twitter.com/TgKS7LVpha
– 有没有搞措 (@L0vetodream) September 20, 2026
@L0vetodream showed images of iPhone 18 Pro components being weighed. The vapor chamber weighed 13.8 grams, while the battery weighed 58.2 grams. However, it is unclear whether these are parts for iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.
