iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Expected upgrades, prices compared
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped to bring a smaller Dynamic Island, a bigger battery, upgraded cameras, and a powerful 2nm A20 Pro chip. Leaks also suggest that Apple may avoid a major price hike despite the expensive new hardware upgrades.
With just three months left for Apple's next iPhone launch event, leaks around the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max are already creating buzz online. While the current iPhone 17 Pro Max is still one of the most premium smartphones in the market, rumours suggest that Apple could bring several notable upgrades with the next-generation Pro Max model. From a smaller Dynamic Island and improved battery life to a new 2nm chipset and upgraded camera system, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumoured to focus heavily on performance and efficiency rather than a dramatic redesign. Here are all the details based on the leaks as we are likely approaching closer to iPhone 18 Pro's launch event.
New display tech?
One of the biggest expected changes is related to the front display. Earlier reports had suggested that Apple may completely hide the Face ID system under the screen, leaving only a tiny camera cutout visible. But newer leaks now claim that Apple will only move one Face ID component under the display for now. This means users may still see the Dynamic Island, although it could become noticeably smaller compared to the current design on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The display size itself is unlikely to change. Reports indicate that Apple will continue with the same 6.9-inch panel on the Pro Max variant and a 6.3-inch display on the smaller Pro model. However, the company is said to introduce new LTPO+ display technology, which could improve power efficiency and help extend battery life further.
Bigger battery and faster chip?
Battery life may actually become one of the biggest highlights of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. According to leaks, Apple could slightly increase the thickness of the device to fit a much larger battery. The upcoming model is tipped to feature a 5,100mAh battery, compared to the reported 4,823mAh unit inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If true, this would make it one of the largest batteries ever used in an iPhone. The downside, however, is that the phone could become heavier than 240 grams, potentially making it the heaviest iPhone Apple has released so far.
Performance upgrades are also expected to be major. The iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive with Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chipset, which is reportedly based on TSMC’s advanced 2nm manufacturing process. In comparison, the A19 Pro chip inside the iPhone 17 Pro lineup is expected to use a 3nm process. Moving to 2nm technology could bring better power efficiency, faster processing speeds, and improved thermal management.
Apple is also expected to continue expanding its in-house connectivity technology. After introducing the C1 modem and later the upgraded C1X version, the company may now debut the C2 modem with the iPhone 18 Pro series. Leaks claim this could enable 5G satellite connectivity for tasks like web browsing even when regular cellular networks or Wi-Fi are unavailable.
Camera upgrades and design refinements?
Camera improvements are expected too. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumoured to feature a variable aperture system on its 48-megapixel Fusion camera. This could allow users to manually control the amount of light entering the sensor, helping create better depth effects and potentially improving low-light photography. Apple is also said to be simplifying the Camera Control button by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback, leaving only pressure-based controls.
In terms of design, Apple may not completely overhaul the look of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Reports suggest the rear camera module will continue using the same plateau-style design introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. However, Apple could refine the rear Ceramic Shield finish with a more seamless frosted appearance around the MagSafe area.
Colour options may also change this year. The special signature colour for the iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped to be Dark Cherry. Apple is also expected to offer Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver variants. Meanwhile, the Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue finishes currently associated with the iPhone 17 Pro Max may reportedly be discontinued.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: India price expectations
Pricing remains one of the biggest questions ahead of launch. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may avoid a major price hike for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup despite the expensive new hardware. This is important because Apple already increased the pricing of the iPhone 17 Pro series in India last year by around Rs 5,000.
Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900 in India, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900. If leaks are accurate, Apple could retain a similar pricing structure for the iPhone 18 Pro series, with only a minor increase if necessary. Another analyst, Jeff Pu, has also reportedly suggested that Apple may follow an aggressive pricing strategy to keep the devices competitive in major markets like India.
Keeping prices stable may not be easy, though. The upcoming 2nm chip technology is said to be significantly more expensive to manufacture, and global memory prices are also rising. Several smartphone brands, including Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Nothing, have already increased prices of some devices in recent months.
Even so, Apple may choose to absorb part of the additional cost to maintain strong sales momentum, according to Kuo. This becomes more important as standard iPhone models continue to perform strongly worldwide. According to a recent report by Counterpoint Research, the regular iPhone 17 was among the best-selling smartphones globally during the first quarter of 2026.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro series in September alongside a foldable iPhone. The company may later introduce the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and second-generation iPhone Air models early next year. For more such details and updates, you can stay tuned to India Today Tech.
With just three months left for Apple's next iPhone launch event, leaks around the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max are already creating buzz online. While the current iPhone 17 Pro Max is still one of the most premium smartphones in the market, rumours suggest that Apple could bring several notable upgrades with the next-generation Pro Max model. From a smaller Dynamic Island and improved battery life to a new 2nm chipset and upgraded camera system, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumoured to focus heavily on performance and efficiency rather than a dramatic redesign. Here are all the details based on the leaks as we are likely approaching closer to iPhone 18 Pro's launch event.
New display tech?
One of the biggest expected changes is related to the front display. Earlier reports had suggested that Apple may completely hide the Face ID system under the screen, leaving only a tiny camera cutout visible. But newer leaks now claim that Apple will only move one Face ID component under the display for now. This means users may still see the Dynamic Island, although it could become noticeably smaller compared to the current design on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The display size itself is unlikely to change. Reports indicate that Apple will continue with the same 6.9-inch panel on the Pro Max variant and a 6.3-inch display on the smaller Pro model. However, the company is said to introduce new LTPO+ display technology, which could improve power efficiency and help extend battery life further.
Bigger battery and faster chip?
Battery life may actually become one of the biggest highlights of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. According to leaks, Apple could slightly increase the thickness of the device to fit a much larger battery. The upcoming model is tipped to feature a 5,100mAh battery, compared to the reported 4,823mAh unit inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If true, this would make it one of the largest batteries ever used in an iPhone. The downside, however, is that the phone could become heavier than 240 grams, potentially making it the heaviest iPhone Apple has released so far.
Performance upgrades are also expected to be major. The iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive with Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chipset, which is reportedly based on TSMC’s advanced 2nm manufacturing process. In comparison, the A19 Pro chip inside the iPhone 17 Pro lineup is expected to use a 3nm process. Moving to 2nm technology could bring better power efficiency, faster processing speeds, and improved thermal management.
Apple is also expected to continue expanding its in-house connectivity technology. After introducing the C1 modem and later the upgraded C1X version, the company may now debut the C2 modem with the iPhone 18 Pro series. Leaks claim this could enable 5G satellite connectivity for tasks like web browsing even when regular cellular networks or Wi-Fi are unavailable.
Camera upgrades and design refinements?
Camera improvements are expected too. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumoured to feature a variable aperture system on its 48-megapixel Fusion camera. This could allow users to manually control the amount of light entering the sensor, helping create better depth effects and potentially improving low-light photography. Apple is also said to be simplifying the Camera Control button by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback, leaving only pressure-based controls.
In terms of design, Apple may not completely overhaul the look of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Reports suggest the rear camera module will continue using the same plateau-style design introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. However, Apple could refine the rear Ceramic Shield finish with a more seamless frosted appearance around the MagSafe area.
Colour options may also change this year. The special signature colour for the iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped to be Dark Cherry. Apple is also expected to offer Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver variants. Meanwhile, the Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue finishes currently associated with the iPhone 17 Pro Max may reportedly be discontinued.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: India price expectations
Pricing remains one of the biggest questions ahead of launch. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may avoid a major price hike for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup despite the expensive new hardware. This is important because Apple already increased the pricing of the iPhone 17 Pro series in India last year by around Rs 5,000.
Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900 in India, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900. If leaks are accurate, Apple could retain a similar pricing structure for the iPhone 18 Pro series, with only a minor increase if necessary. Another analyst, Jeff Pu, has also reportedly suggested that Apple may follow an aggressive pricing strategy to keep the devices competitive in major markets like India.
Keeping prices stable may not be easy, though. The upcoming 2nm chip technology is said to be significantly more expensive to manufacture, and global memory prices are also rising. Several smartphone brands, including Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Nothing, have already increased prices of some devices in recent months.
Even so, Apple may choose to absorb part of the additional cost to maintain strong sales momentum, according to Kuo. This becomes more important as standard iPhone models continue to perform strongly worldwide. According to a recent report by Counterpoint Research, the regular iPhone 17 was among the best-selling smartphones globally during the first quarter of 2026.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro series in September alongside a foldable iPhone. The company may later introduce the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and second-generation iPhone Air models early next year. For more such details and updates, you can stay tuned to India Today Tech.
