Leaked iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e X-ray Images Hint at Bigger Batteries and Shared Internal Design
Freshly leaked X-ray inspection images may have offered an early look inside Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, revealing what could be a major internal redesign focused on battery life and component efficiency.
The images reportedly surfaced on Chinese social media before being shared on a Qualcomm-focused forum on Baidu Tieba by Apple leaker Littertree66. The two unreleased devices are identified by the codenames Taycan and Nevera, believed to refer to the standard iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e.
If the images are accurate, Apple may be preparing to give both models a very similar internal structure. The leaked X-ray scans show matching placements for the upper and lower logic boards, similar MagSafe charging coil positioning, and what appears to be the same battery footprint across both phones. That could suggest Apple is streamlining production while still keeping key feature differences between the two models.
One of the biggest changes shown in the alleged iPhone 18 scan is the removal of the physical SIM card tray. According to annotations on the image, eliminating the SIM tray creates more internal room for the battery. This would likely apply to eSIM-only versions of the phone, similar to Apple’s recent strategy in select markets.
The result could be a notable battery capacity increase. The leaked diagram suggests the iPhone 18 may move from around 3,671 mAh to 4,430 mAh, representing an increase of roughly 20%. For comparison, Apple lists the iPhone 17 battery capacity at 3,692 mAh, meaning this would be a meaningful jump if the final retail model keeps the same design.
The leak also points to changes in the lower internal components. The bottom speaker and haptic motor appear to shift from a long, narrow layout to a wider design. This may help Apple make better use of the available space while improving the overall internal balance of the device.
Camera hardware may also see a physical redesign. The leaked iPhone 18 image notes that the wide camera module is smaller than the one used in the previous generation. However, the camera resolution itself appears unchanged, meaning Apple may be focusing on packaging efficiency rather than a major sensor upgrade. A component labeled “BG1 Array” is shown beneath the two rear cameras and is believed to be related to the second camera connection.
The alleged iPhone 18e, codenamed Nevera, appears to adopt the same general internal layout as the standard iPhone 18. That could bring a battery increase of around 10%, rising from the iPhone 17e’s rated 4,005 mAh to the same 4,430 mAh capacity shown for the iPhone 18.
Unlike the regular iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e scan shows only one rear camera. The single “Wide” camera appears to sit in the location used by the Super Wide camera on the standard model. The space where the second camera and related components would be placed on the iPhone 18 seems to be filled with a plastic insert or filler piece on the iPhone 18e.
The leaker also claims both phones will feature Dynamic Island, continuing Apple’s move away from the older notch design. Another interesting detail is the mention of a steel-encased battery, which could improve structural protection and thermal behavior.
Because the two devices may share the same enclosure, there is also speculation that the iPhone 18e could gain Camera Control, a feature that would make the lower-cost model feel closer to Apple’s standard flagship iPhone lineup. However, Apple may still separate the models in other ways. One possibility mentioned in the leak is that the iPhone 18e could ship without the U2 ultra-wideband chip, allowing Apple to preserve feature differences between the two devices.
As exciting as these details sound, the leak should be treated with caution. The images have not been independently verified, and even the original post reportedly warns that they may not be genuine. The diagrams also contain an OpenAI watermark, which may indicate that an AI tool was used to translate or process the images.
It is also worth remembering that devices scanned at this stage may be prototypes or pre-production units. Apple often tests multiple hardware layouts before settling on final retail specifications, so battery capacity, camera components, and internal design details could still change before launch.
Still, if these leaked iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e X-ray images are close to accurate, Apple’s next-generation models could bring bigger batteries, a more efficient internal layout, and a stronger connection between the standard and entry-level iPhone lines. For users hoping for longer battery life without a larger phone, the iPhone 18 series may be shaping up to deliver one of the most practical upgrades in years.
