Apple has not always disclosed the exact battery capacities of its iPhones, leaving users and reviewers to rely on estimates or teardowns for some specifications. However, European Union regulations have now provided a clearer picture of the batteries used in the newly announced iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Energy labels required for devices sold in the EU show that the iPhone 18 Pro has a 4,056mAh battery, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 5,391mAh unit. The figures show that Apple’s larger Pro model has received a considerably bigger battery than its predecessor, while the standard Pro sees a much smaller increase.
The information also highlights an unusual difference between regional versions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. While European models use Apple’s own modem technology, the US version is reportedly expected to retain a Qualcomm modem. Apple has not officially confirmed the change, but references in iOS 27 code appear to point to a different modem configuration for American customers.
This is true, iOS 27 has two identifiers for the device: V64 for iPhone 18 Pro Max with a Qualcomm modem, V64s for iPhone 18 Pro Max with C2 modem.
— pdfu (@itspdfu) September 11, 2026
iPhone 18 Pro Max gets the bigger battery boost
According to the EU energy labels, the iPhone 18 Pro’s 4,056mAh battery represents an increase of around 1.45 per cent compared with the previous generation. That is a relatively modest improvement, suggesting Apple’s gains in battery life for the smaller Pro model likely come from a combination of hardware and software efficiency rather than battery capacity alone.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max, however, receives a much more substantial upgrade. Its 5,391mAh battery is about 11.8 per cent larger than the previous year’s model. This gives the Pro Max significantly more hardware capacity and helps explain Apple’s stronger claims about endurance for its largest smartphone.
Apple describes the improvement in the iPhone 18 Pro Max as “the largest increase in battery life ever” on an iPhone. The company claims that the device can provide up to 45 hours of video playback between charges, while the iPhone 18 Pro is rated for up to 36 hours.
The company made the exact battery capacities public because of EU requirements for energy labelling. Apple does not necessarily include battery capacity prominently in its own consumer-facing specifications, making regulatory documentation an important source for more detailed hardware information.
The figures also reflect regional differences. The capacities disclosed through the EU labels apply to iPhone models sold in European markets, where the phones include a physical SIM card slot. Apple sells eSIM-only versions of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in the US and certain other markets, and those models could potentially have different internal configurations.
US iPhone 18 Pro Max reportedly uses a Qualcomm modem
Battery capacity is not the only hardware difference being reported between regional versions of Apple’s latest Pro phones. Further investigation into Apple’s software has reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that the US iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a Qualcomm modem instead of Apple’s own C2 modem.
Information reported by MacRumors, based on a social media tip, indicates that the C2 modem is present across the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max range, with one apparent exception. The US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max reportedly uses a Qualcomm chip.
The modem has not been officially confirmed, although evidence reportedly points to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X85. References to the hardware were reportedly found in iOS 27 code, indicating Apple’s internal hardware configuration before the first pre-orders reach customers.
The timing means there is still some uncertainty around the report. Pre-orders are scheduled to begin shipping on 18 September, giving reviewers and customers more time to examine the new devices. Until then, the precise modem used in the US Pro Max remains unconfirmed.
The difference is unlikely to change everyday performance much. Apple’s C2 modem is a successor to its previous C1X technology, and Apple claims the newer chip delivers faster speeds. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X85 is also a high-end modem, so users are not expected to see a significant difference simply because of the component change.
Why Apple may be using different hardware in the US
The reason for the Qualcomm modem’s continued presence in the US iPhone 18 Pro Max is still unclear. One possibility is that Apple has an existing contract with Qualcomm that requires it to continue using Qualcomm’s modem technology for certain products or markets.
Apple has been working toward greater independence from third-party modem suppliers by developing its own chips. The C2 represents another step in that effort, making the reported use of a Qualcomm modem in one regional version of the Pro Max particularly notable.
The different modem configuration may also be linked to network requirements or other technical considerations specific to the US market. Mobile networks can use different combinations of frequency bands and technologies, meaning regional hardware variations are not unusual among smartphone manufacturers.
The reported difference does not necessarily mean that US customers are receiving an inferior version of the phone. Both modem technologies are designed to provide fast cellular connectivity, and the practical difference between them may be difficult to notice during normal use.
More information is expected to emerge once the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max reach customers and reviewers. Testing should provide a clearer indication of battery endurance, cellular performance and whether the regional hardware differences have any meaningful effect on real-world use.
Apple is also expected to expand the iPhone 18 family in the coming months. The standard iPhone 18, along with the iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air, is reportedly expected to arrive in March. Meanwhile, Apple’s new foldable iPhone Duo is also attracting attention as the company broadens its smartphone range beyond traditional designs.
