A new leak claims that iPhone 18 Pro will be thicker than iPhone 17 Pro: both the body itself and the camera bump on the back panel. Official data about the iPhone 18 Pro battery was rather encouraging at the time, but now the new device seems to have another controversial aspect. For now, this is just a rumor from an insider, but the numbers sound specific, and the reason for the increased thickness looks logical.
iPhone 18 Pro dimensions leaked. Not the most pleasant news
What Is Known About iPhone 18 Pro Dimensions
The information comes from an insider on the Chinese social network Weibo. According to them, the aluminum frame and camera module will be thicker compared to the current model. It’s important to understand: this is a leak, not official Apple data, so the final iPhone 18 Pro dimensions may still change. This has happened many times before.
The smartphone keeps getting bulkier before our eyes
The insider separately notes that Apple will continue using an aluminum alloy instead of titanium. The material first appeared in iPhone 17 Pro, and the company, according to rumors, plans to stick with it for a long time. Better heat dissipation is cited as an advantage, while the insider warns about new colors as a downside: some iPhone 17 Pro units experienced shade changes and coating chips.
The key figure around which this news is built is a thickness increase of approximately 2 mm. The insider claims they can now personally confirm this, citing leaked materials from the Tata factory in India.
- iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max currently have a thickness of 8.75 mm
- iPhone 18 Pro, according to the insider’s estimate, could be in the range of approximately 9.9–10.9 mm
- The iPhone 18 Pro Max camera bump, according to April mockups, will grow to 11.54 mm versus 11.23 mm on iPhone 17 Pro Max
The insider added that the final thickness will be somewhat unexpected. How true this is, we’ll find out closer to the announcement.
Why iPhone 18 Pro Will Be Thicker
The added thickness, according to rumors, is not related to the battery or designers’ whims, but to a redesigned main camera. iPhone 18 Pro is expected to receive the lineup’s first variable aperture.
Variable aperture is a genuinely useful feature
In simple terms, a variable aperture is an adjustable opening in the lens through which light passes. Regular smartphone cameras work with a fixed opening, while an adjustable one provides more control over depth of field and shots in different lighting conditions. According to leaks, this module costs Apple approximately 50% more, and its production is already ramping up at LG Innotek and Sunny Optical.
The internals themselves don’t affect the iPhone 18 Pro body thickness: for example, the A20 Pro chip and its differences from the A19 Pro have no bearing on the dimensions.
What Happens If iPhone 18 Pro Gets Thicker
The new camera is the reason the smartphone will grow in size
If the iPhone 18 Pro rumors are confirmed, we can expect the following negative consequences.
- The phone will be thicker and most likely heavier, which is noticeable in your pocket and in hand.
- You may need to buy new cases due to the changed camera module.
- In return, you get a more serious camera with variable aperture.
It’s important to realistically assess the balance here. A thicker body and a larger camera bump are a compromise for better photos, not an improvement in itself.
If you own an iPhone 17 Pro, there’s no reason for an urgent upgrade: the differences between iPhone 18 Pro and 17 Pro primarily concern the camera and form factor. For those choosing the base model, it’s important to know how much RAM iPhone 18 and 18e will have and how they differ from the higher-end model.
