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Here's how Apple circumvented the battery shipping restrictions for iPhone 18 Pro Max
GSMArena.com • • technology
Key Points:
- Recent flagship smartphones have larger batteries due to new silicon-carbon chemistry, but international shipping regulations limit single-cell batteries to 20Wh, complicating shipping.
- Apple circumvented this by implementing a software limitation on the iPhone 18 Pro Max that restricts battery charge below 20Wh during shipping, which is lifted upon first use to allow full battery capacity.
- The US regulator approved this shipping method in June 2025, while European and other international bodies have not yet officially responded, though the iPhone 18 Pro is already sold in the EU.
- Apple allows users to toggle the battery capacity limit on and off, facilitating compliance when shipping the device internationally.
- Regulatory bodies plan to update the 20Wh battery limit policy by 2029, and Apple's approach may set a precedent for future smartphones with larger batteries in global markets.
