iPhone 18 Pro tipped for minor battery gains this year — but there's a hidden upgrade coming

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Big batteries have never really been part of Apple's forte when it comes to the iPhone, but that has changed over the last few years. The larger and more premium iPhone models have seen a rapid rise in battery capacity, culminating in the eSIM-only iPhone 17 Pro Max's 5,088 mAh battery pack. That's over 400 mAh more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 4,685 mAh battery.Sadly, you should not expect major capacity upgrades on the iPhone 18 Pro when it arrives late this year. According to leaker Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 18 Pro will feature a 4,056 mAh battery in its standard configuration — and a 4,288 mAh battery in the U.S. eSIM-only model. The leaker previously claimed the Pro Max would have a 5,000 mAh battery in China or between 5,100 and 5,200 mAh internationally.For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro featured a 3,998 mAh battery if your phone has a physical SIM tray, and 4,252 mAh if it only supported eSIM. All U.S.-purchased iPhones since the iPhone 14 have been eSIM only, whereas various international markets kept the physical option. But battery size is only one factor that determines battery life, and Apple's new A20 chip for the iPhone 18 Pro series could provide a serious endurance boost.Lots of factors affect battery life