New iPhone 18 Pro Max Battery Sparks Shipping and Repair Restrictions

Apple's latest iPhone 18 Pro Max model faces new regulations due to its battery exceeding 20 watt-hours, a threshold that triggers strict international rules for shipping lithium-ion batteries on flights and via mail.

To comply with these safety standards, Apple has implemented a software mechanism that limits the battery's charge to below 20Wh from the factory until it reaches the customer. While initial activation removes this limit, a new "Prepare to Ship" feature is mandatory for sending the device for repair or trade-in. This feature drains the battery to a legally permissible level, which can cause the device to heat up. A significant drawback is that if a user cancels a shipment after initiating this process, they may have to wait up to 14 days for the battery charge restriction to be lifted.

Apple emphasizes that the iPhone 18 Pro Max is safe for everyday use and for carrying on flights. The battery limitation is solely for commercial cargo transport regulations. This specific procedure only applies to the Pro Max model, as other iPhone 18 models, including the compact Pro and the foldable Duo, do not have single-cell batteries exceeding 20Wh.

Further technical details reveal that U.S. models of the iPhone 18 Pro Max use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem, while models sold in Israel and globally utilize Apple's in-house C2 modem. Additionally, the camera bump on the iPhone 18 series is slightly thicker than the previous iPhone 17 series, making older cases physically incompatible.