Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could offer battery life comparable to Android smartphones equipped with much larger 7,000mAh batteries, according to a new report.
The improvement is expected to come from a more power-efficient processor, software optimisation and an upgraded thermal design rather than a dramatic increase in battery capacity.
According to tipster Ice Universe, the eSIM version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a 5,567mAh battery, while the non-eSIM model may include a 5,391mAh cell.
Although these capacities remain smaller than many flagship Android devices, the report suggests Apple's hardware and software optimisation could deliver similar real-world battery performance.
Efficiency could be the key
The report claims Apple's upcoming A20 Pro chip may be up to 30% more power efficient, while iOS 27 is also expected to improve battery management.
Combined with a redesigned thermal system, these upgrades could allow the iPhone 18 Pro Max to achieve longer screen-on time despite its relatively smaller battery.
The report notes that battery capacity alone does not determine endurance.
Modern smartphones with smaller batteries can sometimes outperform devices with larger cells due to better chipset efficiency, software optimisation and thermal management.
However, these claims remain speculative until independent battery tests are conducted after the device's launch.
Why Apple still uses smaller batteries
Unlike several Chinese smartphone brands, Apple continues to rely on lithium-ion battery technology instead of newer silicon-carbon batteries.
Silicon-carbon batteries can store more energy without increasing thickness but are still relatively new and present engineering challenges, including expansion during charging.
Industry observers believe Apple may wait until the technology matures further before adopting it in future iPhones.
