The iPhone 18 Pro will probably be a little bit thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro, thanks to a more generous camera plateau this time around.
The September introduction of the iPhone 18 Pro should introduce a smartphone with a very familiar design. However, a close examination may reveal a considerable difference in thickness for 2026.
According to a July 7 post from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, Apple's iPhone 18 Pro update will involve some changes to the aluminum casing. The account alleges that the design will be about 2 millimeters thicker than the 2025 releases.
The post refers to earlier rumors shared by the account, with the first mentioning the continued use of aluminum alloy. Despite occasional rumors about a switch back to titanium, it's reasoned that aluminum will still be used because of its heat dissipation properties.
The second reference, going back to June 22, is about the camera system on the back. At the time, they claimed there would be a camera upgrade, and that the aluminum alloy back panel would be increased by 2 millimeters.
Today's message from the leaker insists that the Tata leak verified the size change for the model. It also seems that the account is implying that the camera bump is the chief cause of the size growth.
Big increase, relatively
While a change of about 2 millimeters is tiny in most cases, it's massive when it comes to mobile devices.
According to Apple's specifications for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, they have a depth of 8.75mm. A 2mm increase would put the thickness at around 10.75mm.
That would represent a thickness increase of about 23%.
Since thickness is a big factor in how a smartphone feels to hold, this would be an element Apple would be keen to minimize. Especially considering its habit of trying to make things as thin as possible.
It's plausible that this extra thickness stems from an increased camera bump. In that situation, the main body could be kept the same, but the bump gets a fraction larger.
The thickness could still be for the main body. There have been rumors that Apple will be bumping up the battery life in the iPhone 18 Pro, which could be performed with a physically larger battery cell.
Weibo leakers don't have a great reputation when it comes to leaks, due to their habit of regurgitating stories found elsewhere with few checks for accuracy. Among those leakers, Fixed Focus Digital has a fairly mixed track record.
Ultimately, we won't know how thick the new models will be until Apple introduces them in the fall.
