iPhone 18 Pro could further a design trend I’ve finally come around on

Published: (May 26, 2026 at 04:37 PM EDT)
3 min read
Source: 9to5Mac

Source: 9to5Mac

Leaker says there's no back to black for the iPhone 18 Pro | Image shows a render of the new machine against a colorful Liquid Glass background

iPhone 18 Pro is coming this fall, and rumors indicate it will further a design trend started last year with iPhone 17 Pro: making the iPhone even thicker. Here’s why I’m actually behind this decision despite previously opposing it.

iPhone 18 Pro rumored to get thicker and heavier, and I’m all‑in on the change for two reasons

Apple Intelligence iPhone 17 Pro

Last year, when rumors first arrived about iPhone 17 Pro being thicker than its predecessor, I wasn’t sold on the idea.

I was using an iPhone 16 Pro at the time, and felt like the iPhone was thick and heavy enough already. Hence, my high interest in the ultra‑thin iPhone Air.

But I’ll admit that my skepticism was unmerited. Apple knew what it was doing.

Now the iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to get even thicker than its predecessor—though likely not by much.

And this year, my reaction is very different: I’m fully on board.

That’s mainly for two reasons:

  • iPhone Air’s existence
  • The AI impact

At this time last year, we had been stuck with the same basic iPhone Pro design for years. The device felt thicker and heavier than seemed necessary, at least for my needs.

But now the iPhone Air is here—and I’ve been loving it. Apple has proven that it can make an ultra‑thin, futuristic model, and it’s now available for anyone to purchase.

Because the iPhone Air exists, it makes perfect sense for Apple to push its Pro models further into “pro” territory. If that means being thicker and heavier to deliver better battery life and higher performance, I’m all for it.

iPhone Air with AirPods

Anyone who wants something different can choose iPhone Air. But also, the growing impact of AI makes a heavier‑duty iPhone a logical move too.

Though Apple has always pushed the bounds of what’s possible for a pocket‑sized computer, AI has unlocked a whole new world of possibilities. As such, if the iPhone 18 Pro needs to get thicker and heavier to better serve as an AI powerhouse, that’s fine by me.

I used to be all for a thinner, lighter iPhone. Now that we have one, and the world’s computing needs are recentering around AI, the idea of a thicker iPhone 18 Pro is an idea I can easily get behind.

How do you feel about iPhone 18 Pro reportedly getting thicker and heavier this year? Let us know in the comments.

0 views
Back to Blog

Related posts

Read more »