Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max review
| 256GB 12GB RAM | $ 1,549.00 |
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Introduction
Arriving a year ahead of the anniversary iPhone, this model marks the series' most modest update to date, dressed in burgundy. Meet the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Offering small incremental changes is probably the most 'Apple' way of doing things. And this year, the iPhone 18 Pro Max brings four of them: a new chip, a variable aperture lens, a larger battery with faster charging, and a smaller Dynamic Island.
Let's start from the beginning. The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the same design as the 17 Pro Max, but instead of Orange and Deep Blue, this year we get Black, Glacier Blue, and the signature Burgundy Red, plus the traditional silver.
The 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED remains the same, with a 120Hz refresh rate and support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The Dynamic Island has shrunk, though, as Apple moved the IR camera under the display.
There is a new chip, of course - the Apple A20 Pro, manufactured on a 2nm node. It brings more powerful CPU and GPU cores, a redesigned internal architecture and a much larger vapor chamber for improved cooling.
Finally, the highlight feature of the iPhone 18 Pro is the variable aperture lens on the 48MP primary camera. It expands the camera's photographic capabilities and promises improved image quality across a wider range of shooting conditions. The 48MP 4x telephoto, 48MP ultrawide and 18MP selfie cameras remain the same.
The 18 Pro Max has an even larger battery than before, with different capacities depending on the model - the version with a physical SIM tray has a 5,391mAh cell, while the eSIM-only version comes with a 5,567mAh battery. The new model also supports faster wired charging.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max specs at a glance:
- Body: 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.8 mm, 249g; Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield); IP68 dust-tight and water-resistant (submersible up to 6m for 30 min).
- Display: 6.90" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak), 1320x2868px resolution, 19.55:9 aspect ratio, 460ppi; Anti-reflective coating.
- Chipset: Apple A20 Pro (2 nm).
- Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM; NVMe.
- OS/Software: iOS 27.
- Rear camera: Wide (main): 48 MP, f/1.5-4.0, 24mm, 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS (gen2); Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm, 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF; Depth: TOF 3D LiDAR scanner.
- Front camera: Wide (main): 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm, PDAF; Depth: SL 3D.
- Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec; Front camera: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS.
- Battery: 5391mAh; Wired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 15 min, 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China), 4.5W reverse wired.
- Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 6.0; NFC.
- Misc: Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer; stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip), Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite.
Apple die-hards aside, new iPhones are rarely aimed at owners of the previous model. Apple builds long-lasting hardware, expecting most users to hold onto their devices for a few years until a truly meaningful upgrade comes along. Of course, that doesn't really excuse the minor upgrades we've been getting over the last few years. Apple is far from the only manufacturer guilty of this, though. In 2026, it almost feels like Samsung, Google and Apple are all racing to see who can upgrade the fewest things and call it a day.
Unboxing the iPhone 18 Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro Max ships in a thin box that contains the phone and a braided USB-C cable.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max review - Reader comments
- Anonymous
- Rxh
iPhone is getting too big. I wish Apple would remember what Steve said about the ideal smart phone size. Maybe next year when the 20th anniversary edition comes out, there will be a true Mini edition. Just call it Steve Jobs edition. It will pay...
Yes it indeed has the best hardware... in the Apple ecosystem 😂😆 This is why Apple compares every new spec with their older iPhones. Comparing them with Android phones would expose how iOS users are getting sc@mmed.
