A fresh batch of leaked protective cases for the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max has surfaced, and they are painting almost the same picture we saw from the previous leaks.
This year, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are not getting any major redesign, sporting the same unibody aluminum design with a huge camera island. This was expected as Apple generally reuses the same design for at least two years.
So what’s changing?
The leaked case images, which we saw thanks to MajinBuofficia, suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will be slightly thicker than its predecessor. So it would seem that while the MacBook Pros are slimming down, the Pro iPhones are gaining some weight.
The likely culprit is the new 48MP variable aperture camera system that Apple is reportedly testing for the Pro models. That kind of hardware requires a little more room, which results in a thicker body. Also, Apple wouldn’t mind that last year’s iPhone cases will not fit the new iPhone, forcing people to abandon their perfectly good cases.
As we mentioned, this is not the first time we have heard this. Earlier leaks for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max already hinted at this possibility, and this new batch of cases only reinforces those expectations.
Wait, why is the iPhone 18 case here?
Here is where things get a little puzzling. The leaked images also include a case for the vanilla iPhone 18, which is odd because the base model is not expected to launch until spring 2027 under Apple’s rumored new staggered release strategy.
Whether Apple has changed its plans or this is simply an error in the leak, we genuinely don’t know. Either way, there are no leaked renders or design models for the iPhone 18 yet, so take that part with a pinch of salt.
As for the Pro models, apart from the new cameras and growing waistline, you can expect a brand new A20 Pro chipset built on the latest 2nm process technology, several new color options, improved satellite connectivity, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more.
I don’t think the new upgrades will be enough to warrant a year-over-year upgrade, but Apple does have a habit of surprising us, so let’s wait till September before we make that judgment.
