iDevice review
iPhone 18 Pro Max review: the big iPhone that just keeps going
Huge battery life, much faster charging and smoother gaming, in a phone that got even heavier.
Thumbs up
- About a day and a half of battery
- 50% in about 15 minutes with a 60W adapter
- Smoother gaming, runs cooler
- Bright, sharp 6.9-inch screen
- Strong low-light photos
Thumbs down
- Heavy in the hand at 249 grams
- Fastest charging needs a 60W adapter
Take the iPhone 18 Pro Max off the charger in the morning and you may not need to think about it again until the next evening. Apple rates it at up to 45 hours of video, and in daily use it regularly lasts about a day and a half, even with demanding games thrown in. It goes noticeably longer than the 17 Pro Max.
The trade-off is in your hand. At 249 grams (8.78 oz), it's heavier than the phone it replaces, and you'll feel it in your pocket and holding it up in bed.
Charging
Charging is fast. With a 60W adapter or higher, Apple says you'll reach 50% in about 15 minutes. That changes how you use it. A short stop at an outlet before you leave is enough.
Screen
The 6.9-inch OLED is sharp at 460 pixels per inch, with an always-on display and the Dynamic Island. Side by side with the 17 Pro Max, it's easier to see in bright light, right when you need it most.
Speed and gaming
The A20 Pro chip makes games look and run noticeably better than on the 17 Pro Max, with smoother animations and tighter, more responsive play. It also handles heat better, so long sessions don't leave the phone uncomfortably warm, and performance holds up more steadily under load. The haptics are superb, as always.
Cameras
The 48MP Fusion main camera has a variable aperture, from f/1.48 to f/4.0. The wide f/1.48 setting pulls in more light at night, so low-light shots are a strength. The telephoto holds its own when you zoom. Pro controls carry over to video, which records in 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 frames per second on the main camera. The 18MP Center Stage front camera has autofocus.
Build and the rest
It has an aluminum unibody, Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and Ceramic Shield on the back, in Black, Silver, Glacier or Burgundy. It's rated IP68, down to 6 meters (about 20 feet) for 30 minutes. You get Camera Control, the Action button and four mics. Apple's N1 chip brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and US models get mmWave 5G. Storage goes up to 2TB, and it runs iOS 27.