iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Battery and Geekbench Performance Revealed

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max battery capacities have been revealed through EU Energy Labels, while early Geekbench results showcase the performance gains of the new A20 Pro chip.

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The tech giant has unveiled an iPhone specification it usually chooses not to share in its launch announcement. The battery capacities of the recently launched iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now known, offering some clues about how much users can expect from the new Pro smartphones by Apple. The spec has emerged in new EU Energy Labels that demand energy and durability details from smartphone manufacturers.

In addition to battery specs, some Geekbench benchmark numbers have offered an insight into the performance of Apple's new A20 Pro processor. The initial benchmarks indicate impressive performance improvements compared to the last generation. At the same time, the differences between the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models have become obvious.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Battery Capacities

The EU Energy Labels reveal that the iPhone 18 Pro includes a 4,056mAh battery, whereas the iPhone 18 Pro Max includes a 5,391mAh battery. As compared to the previous model, the smaller iPhone 18 Pro has only gained a relatively small 1.45 percent battery capacity increase over the iPhone 17 Pro. On the other hand, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has gained a much larger 11.8 percent battery capacity increase over the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

It should be noted, however, that battery capacity values can differ from region to region due to differences in design. European versions of the iPhone 18 Pro models feature a physical SIM tray that requires extra space inside. Versions sold in countries like the US do not have a physical SIM tray because they are eSIM-only, which means that Apple can use more internal space for the battery.

Also, the EU Energy Labels give additional information about the two smartphones. They both get A energy ratings, a B rating for the ability to withstand drops and a C rating for the ease of repair. Moreover, the smartphones have an IP68 rating when it comes to protection from dust and water. According to Apple, the batteries will be able to retain 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles.

As for the estimates by Apple of how long the batteries will last, they indicate a significant difference between the iPhone 18 Pro and the Pro Max. According to Apple, eSIM-only versions will provide 36 hours of video playback on the iPhone 18 Pro and 45 hours on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. With the help of the new way of measuring real-world use, the numbers are 24 hours and 30 hours, correspondingly.

Moreover, there is an improvement in the technology of charging. Both iPhones are able to fast charge via wires and reach 50 percent battery capacity in 15 minutes. Also, according to Apple, five minutes of charging can provide 6 hours of video playback.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Geekbench Results

Benchmark scores for the A20 Pro model are already coming in through Geekbench. Two smartphones that go by the names iPhone 19,2 and iPhone 19,3 were benchmarked using Geekbench 6.7. The phones achieved scores of 4,719 and 4,612 in single-core performance, while their multi-core scores are 12,677 and 11,819.

The averages of these benchmark scores turn out to be around 4,665 and 12,248 in single-core and multi-core performance, respectively. These preliminary figures indicate an estimated 21 to 23 percent performance boost over the Geekbench benchmarks scores of the average iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.

The A20 Pro has been made using a 2nm fabrication process and has a six-core CPU that comprises two high-performance Supercores along with four efficiency cores. Moreover, the chip also has a seven-core GPU. As per the claims of Apple, the new chip would offer up to 20 percent improved CPU performance and up to 40 percent enhanced GPU performance in comparison to the earlier generation.

Artificial intelligence performance has also been an area of focus for Apple. The second Neural Engine has been added to the A20 Pro, which would take the total core count to 32. In addition, there has been a 50 percent improvement in memory bandwidth.

A20 Pro Cooling

Apple has also revamped its internal chip packaging and introduced a bigger vapor chamber cooler. The new cooling system is said to have three times the surface area of the one found in the iPhone 17 Pro. It enables the iPhone 18 Pro models to achieve a 40 percent higher sustained performance than the predecessor phone.

While sustained performance may eventually be more important than just one benchmark, the Geekbench score is only an indicator of peak performance during a short interval. Activities like gaming, video editing, and processing videos, among other things, put constant pressure on the processor. Thermal improvements would enable the A20 Pro to maintain higher performance for a longer duration.

A20 Pro vs Next Generation Android Chips

The initial numbers of the A20 Pro model are also being compared to upcoming Android flagships' processors. It seems that a device equipped with upcoming MediaTek Dimensity 9600 scored 4,139 on the single-core test and 13,285 on the multi-core test. In this case, according to these initial numbers, the A20 Pro would have an upper hand in single-core performance, and the MediaTek processor might be superior when it comes to multi-core.

Nevertheless, such comparisons must be approached with caution. The performance of the prototype devices can vary significantly, and initial Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 numbers seen on the internet also seem to be quite different. It is still unclear which next-generation mobile platform would offer the best performance until the retail devices are properly tested.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

As for the choice between Apple's two Pro models, for those consumers who value battery life the iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better bet. Its bigger battery and longer video playback period make it more appropriate for heavy users who play games and watch videos for extended periods of time or record videos and work with demanding applications.

However, the standard iPhone 18 Pro may appear to be more interesting for those who want a smaller smartphone. In fact, it provides the same A20 Pro platform but in a smaller form factor. According to Apple, thanks to its increased battery efficiency the iPhone 18 Pro manages to deliver the same all-day battery life as the previous-generation iPhone 17 Pro Max, even though it has a much smaller battery size.

It is up to the customer's choice. The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the most impressive battery endurance and large screen while the iPhone 18 Pro has a smaller form factor and retains all the power of the A20 Pro chip. Thus, with the new information about their batteries and benchmarks released, consumers can see the main differences between the new Pro models of Apple.