iPhone 18 Pro may expand a design shift I now welcome
▼ Summary
– The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to be thicker and heavier than its predecessor, continuing a design trend started with the iPhone 17 Pro.
– The author initially opposed the thicker design but now supports it, primarily due to the existence of the ultra-thin iPhone Air as an alternative.
– The iPhone Air’s availability allows Apple to push the Pro models further into ‘pro’ territory with better battery life and performance.
– The growing impact of AI makes a heavier-duty iPhone a logical move, as it requires more computing power.
– The author previously preferred thinner iPhones but now endorses the thicker iPhone 18 Pro given the iPhone Air option and AI demands.
With the iPhone 18 Pro expected to arrive this fall, early rumors point to a continuation of a design shift that began with last year’s iPhone 17 Pro: the flagship model is getting thicker. And after initially resisting this trend, I’ve come around completely.
When whispers first surfaced that the iPhone 17 Pro would be bulkier than its predecessor, I was skeptical. At the time, I was using an iPhone 16 Pro, and it already felt thick and heavy enough for my taste. My attention was fixed on the ultra-thin iPhone Air, which promised a lighter alternative.
But I was wrong to doubt Apple’s strategy. The company clearly had a plan, and now the iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to gain even more thickness, though likely by a modest amount. This time, my reaction is the opposite of last year’s: I’m fully in favor.
Two key factors have changed my mind: the iPhone Air’s arrival and the growing influence of AI.
For years, the iPhone Pro lineup stuck with a similar form factor, and it began to feel unnecessarily bulky for everyday use. But now that the iPhone Air is here,and I’ve been genuinely enjoying it,Apple has proven it can deliver an ultra-thin, futuristic device for those who want it. With that option on the market, it makes sense for the company to push the Pro models further into professional territory. If that means added thickness for better battery life and higher performance, I’m all for it.
At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping what we expect from our devices. Apple has always aimed to push the boundaries of pocket-sized computing, but AI unlocks a new level of possibility. If the iPhone 18 Pro needs extra heft to serve as a true AI powerhouse, that’s a trade-off I’m happy to accept.
I used to champion a thinner, lighter iPhone. Now that we have one in the iPhone Air, and as computing demands shift toward AI, a thicker iPhone 18 Pro feels like the right move.
What’s your take on the iPhone 18 Pro reportedly getting thicker and heavier this year? Share your thoughts in the comments.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
