If you think that the iPhone 17 Pro models are already thick enough, think again. According to a leaker known as “Fixed Focus Digital,” a post on Weibo indicated that the enclosures for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will continue to use the same aluminum design as the current iPhone 17 Pro models, marking a significant departure from the iPhone 16 Pro models, which had titanium cases. Additionally, the leaker claimed that the entire unibody enclosures will be even thicker this time, by roughly 2mm. One of the biggest upgrades coming to the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be the camera system, which has been rumored to feature a variable aperture, so a thicker enclosure will certainly accommodate this more advanced camera system.
For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro models are both 8.75 mm thick; with the camera plateau, they’re 11.23 mm thick. If the dummy models line up, we could see the iPhone 18 Pro models to be around 9.9-10.9 mm thick, or 11.54 mm thick if you include the camera plateau.
Although some customers wouldn’t prefer thicker or heftier phones, I still think some customers would prefer either a bigger battery for longer battery life or a more advanced camera system, even if it would mean having a thicker design overall. Plus, having a thicker phone means better heat dissipation, as there will be more room for passive cooling, so the iPhone 18 Pro models will be less thermally constrained overall. Although the aluminum excels in heat dissipation, it is still a softer metal that’s prone to dents, scratches, and chipping, especially when it’s anodized with new colors expected to be dark cherry, light blue, and dark gray.
I’d be all of the iPhone 18 Pro models getting thicker for the sake of prioritizing function over form. If you still want a thin and light smartphone, that’s what the iPhone Air is for; that’s why Apple is giving you options here. The iPhone 18 Pro models alongside the “iPhone Ultra” are expected to make their debut this September.
