September 22, 2026, 1:44 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
The battery of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is larger than any previous iPhone. This puts Apple in a difficult position when it comes to shipping. However, the manufacturer has already responded.
With the iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple has installed a battery that exceeds 20 watt-hours for the first time. For the EU model, the company states a capacity of 5,391 mAh. For the U.S. model, the repair platform iFixit even measured 5,567 mAh. This corresponds to approximately 20.5 and 21.2 watt-hours, respectively.
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This threshold is not coincidentally relevant. Batteries with more than 20 watt-hours are subject to additional regulations during transport, especially in air travel. These rules come from international dangerous goods regulations. Many road transport service providers also follow these guidelines.
New Shipping Feature Aims to Solve Problem
To meet transport requirements, Apple is introducing a new feature called “Prepare for Shipping.” According to the company, the battery charge of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is limited during shipping to stay below the critical value. This restriction is lifted only after the device is set up.
The feature is intended to assist with repairs, returns, or trade-ins. When activated, the smartphone discharges in a controlled manner and limits charging to a maximum of 80 percent for 14 days. Afterward, the device displays a symbol labeled “Ready to Ship.” According to Apple, the feature is not necessary for normal use and air travel.
Legal Questions Remain Unanswered
Whether the solution actually meets all transport requirements in practice remains unclear. The applicable dangerous goods regulations typically differentiate based on a battery’s nominal capacity, not its current charge level. A battery with more than 20 watt-hours remains in this size class, even if it temporarily stores less energy.
Apple has not yet explained whether the software limitation is sufficient for shipping companies to classify the battery differently. It remains to be seen how logistics providers will handle the new procedure. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro is not affected by this issue. Its battery remains below the 20 watt-hour mark.