Apple is expected to launch the next-generation of the iPhones later this year. The fall 2026 Apple event will likely see the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the rumoured foldable iPhone. While the iPhone Fold is guaranteed to turn heads, what could be the key differences between the regular “slab” iPhones this time around?
While the Cupertino giant has not released any details yet. Thanks to leaks and rumours, we have some idea of what to expect. Here are some potential differences between the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
1. Display and dimensions
Let’s start with the obvious. As the naming scheme suggests, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the “max” version of the iPhone 18 Pro, particularly when it comes to the screen size. While we expect the iPhone 18 Pro to use a 6.3-inch OLED display, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, on the other hand, will likely stick to the 6.9-inch unit we saw on the iPhone 17 Pro Max last year.
Both displays will be almost identical otherwise, with 120Hz refresh rates, a potential peak brightness of 3,000 nits and likely a smaller Dynamic Island too.
But this screen size also means that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will come with a larger casing, making it heavier than its smaller sibling.
2. Battery
The larger casing of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will likely allow Apple to put a larger battery inside the phone too, as is the case with Pro Max iPhones. For context, while the iPhone 17 Pro had a battery size of 3,988mAh for the variant with a physical SIM slot, the iPhone 17 Pro Max came with a 4,823mAh for the same variant.
We can expect a similar difference for the iPhone 18 Pro models. It is likely that Apple will also increase the battery capacities from last year.
3. Cameras
Usually, Apple keeps everything virtually identical between the two Pro iPhones when it comes to optics. But this may change this time around. As per reports, Apple is testing a new three-layer stacked image sensor from Samsung, which may make it to at least one iPhone 18 Pro model.
This sensor is expected to improve dynamic range and cut down noise, making the camera more responsive. Though it is possible that both devices get this sensor.
And, Apple is also expected to bring variable aperture to both iPhone 18 Pro models. This would allow users to get more control when it comes to adjusting how much light reaches the sensor.
Though the setup will likely remain the same as last year, three 48-megapixel sensors – a main, an ultrawide, and a 4x telephoto.
4. Price
The most obvious difference between the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be the price. While there is little information regarding the pricing of the two phones, it is likely that Apple may keep it unchanged from last year.
To give you some context, the iPhone 17 Pro starts in India at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro was launched at Rs 1,49,900. Though due to rising memory costs, a marginal increase cannot be ruled out just yet.
