Apple sells four different versions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max depending on where you buy it. While the differences are subtle, they still matter, spanning everything from SIM support to 5G connectivity, modem, and even battery capacity.
The model sold in the U.S., A3473, is eSIM-only and supports both sub-6GHz 5G and faster mmWave networks. It's also the odd one out internally. A teardown by TechInsights confirmed that the U.S. model uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem, while every other iPhone 18 Pro Max uses Apple's own C2 modem, as do the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo worldwide. Apple hasn't said why.
A second eSIM-only version, A3716, is sold in Canada, Japan, Mexico, and several Middle Eastern markets, but that model lacks mmWave support.
In most other countries, including the UK and the rest of Europe, Apple sells model A3717. This version retains a physical nano-SIM tray alongside eSIM.
Meanwhile, China gets its own A3718 model with physical nano-SIM cards, and Apple now also allows the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to be activated there using either eSIM or a physical SIM.
Finally, battery capacity. Regulatory filings indicate the eSIM-only Pro Max models feature larger 5,567mAh batteries, compared to 5,391mAh in models that need space for a physical SIM tray. So a U.S. eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro Max offers roughly an extra hour of normal use, or two extra hours of video playback.
