iPhone 18 Pro Max
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RANKING
98
Rank 98 out of 117 Summarized in this category Rankings based on: • Pros-to-cons ratio • Number of reviews • Category average

Apple

iPhone 18 Pro Max

price N/A

i
All prices are estimates and may vary from actual prices.

389 Pros

65%
28 reviews (5h 56m)

214 Cons

67%

104 vs 52

Camera

52%

62 vs 57

Design and Build

61%

33 vs 21

Software

70%

30 vs 13

Display

83%

64 vs 13

Performance

Reviewer verdict

Pros Cons Index analysed 28 YouTube video reviews of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: it earns an Index score of 3.6/5, ranking #98 among Smartphones. Reviewers most often praise its camera, performance, design and build, while the most common criticisms concern design and build, camera.

Pros: Best-in-class cameras, much stronger A20 Pro performance, and markedly improved battery and thermals make the 18 Pro Max a compelling pro device.

Reviewers praise the iPhone 18 Pro Max for meaningful camera and under-the-hood upgrades: a new variable mechanical aperture, expanded in-camera pro controls, excellent low-light and video performance, and powerful post-capture cinematic tools. The first 2nm A20 Pro chip delivers large single-core and sustained multi-core/GPU gains with far better thermal management thanks to an enlarged vapor chamber, yielding snappier apps, smoother gaming and faster exports. Battery life and charging are significantly improved—many reviewers report substantially longer real-world endurance and much faster wired charging—while the bright 6.9″ Super Retina XDR display, refined colors, and solid build round out a very capable, future-proof flagship.

Cons: Most improvements are incremental for recent Pro owners, with higher weight, higher price, and some software/hardware quirks limiting upgrade value.

Common criticisms note this feels like an 'S'-style refresh: exterior design is nearly unchanged, variable aperture benefits are niche or subtle for average users, and many pro features are locked to the new models. The phone is heavier and bulkier, base prices and high-capacity tiers are steeper, and reviewers reported some software glitches, Face ID/under-display quirks, fingerprint-prone dark finishes, and occasional overheating or reliability issues. Long-term battery and real-world impact of some features remain uncertain, so owners of recent 16/17 Pro models are often advised to skip unless they specifically need the new camera, battery, or performance gains.

Analysis based on 28 YouTube reviews (5h 56m of video) with 389 pros and 214 cons extracted.

Pros (389)

Camera (104)
  • Variable aperture camera is a cool proof of concept and works well for certain shots — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Still the best video camera on the market (very crisp video) — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • New 48 MP Sony sensor with variable aperture (F1.48 to F4) — allows slightly better low-light capture and real optical bokeh — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • New photographic controls (texture, halation, grain) and photographic styles provide more user control over image processing — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Overall camera improvements meaningful for users coming from much older models (14/15 Pro) including ergonomic additions like dedicated camera button and square center-stage front sensor — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Extensive new camera hardware and software features beyond variable aperture (variable aperture, manual controls, focus tracking) — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture yields sharper images and better low‑light results when set to wider apertures — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Expanded camera software: custom video controls (white balance, shutter, histogram), manual focus, lens selection — useful for professionals — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Improved focus tracking for video — double tap to track subjects even when they leave and re-enter frame — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • New photographic styles with texture tab including built‑in film grain, soft skin, and glow — gives more creative control and iPhone 18 Pro exclusive effects — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Can convert regular video into cinematic video after shooting and reassign focus in edit — powerful post‑capture feature — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Can shoot time‑lapse in 4K HDR with adaptive mode that adjusts speed based on motion — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Overall camera quality noticeably better than iPhone 17 Pro Max and a substantial year‑over‑year upgrade — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Major camera upgrade: variable aperture on the main camera for wider aperture in low light, faster night shots, reduced motion blur, and creative starburst effects — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • 18 MP center stage, 48 MP triple cameras (main, ultra wide, 4x telephoto) — solid camera hardware — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Variable physical aperture gives more control (starburst effect) and is a neat feature for content creators. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Apple added pro camera controls (manual shutter, white balance, focus) into the native Camera app. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Overall camera system remains excellent; images are very good even if not a dramatic jump over previous model. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Cinematic effects for videos that can be applied after recording — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Camera system produces crisp photos and great dynamic range; many creators prefer shooting video on iPhone — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture and expanded pro camera controls (white balance, shutter speed, etc.) available in-camera for more manual control — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Incredible camera upgrades, especially variable aperture and improved pro controls for DSLR-like shots — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Rear camera performs very well for quick point-and-shoot photos (better than last year) — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Improved zoom capability with more consistent quality between intermediate and 4x telephoto ranges — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent video recording features — post-recording cinematic focus shifting and strong active tracking — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Notable camera upgrades: variable aperture options (including f/1.4) and manual controls for aperture, white balance, histogram, shutter speed — more flexibility for photos and video. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Improved low-light main camera performance (sharper, less noise) compared to 17 Pro Max. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Better zoom/detail retention and improved 2x close-up shots. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Improved video capture (smoother, more processed/optimized auto night mode and faster feeling in camera). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Improved portrait mode processing with more natural skin tones and more face detail in some conditions. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • iPhone remains the king for selfie/video stabilization and smoothness. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • New primary camera with variable aperture (four settings: f1.48, f1.8, f2.8, f4.0) for greater control — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Aperture can be auto or manually changed to improve low-light or depth-of-field control — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Pro camera controls in the native camera app (aperture, shutter speed, white balance, histogram) including for video — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Photographic Styles expanded to include texture and grain customization — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • New image editing features (improved cleanup, extend, spatial reframe) — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • New photographic style controls include texture and grain for more image character and film-like simulations — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Reference image feature signs photos for authenticity (helps prove non-AI) — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • AI-powered focus tracking keeps moving subjects in focus (useful for kids and pets) — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Can convert a regular video into a cinematic video afterward (video flexibility); improved manual focus controls for photos and video — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Customizable camera quick settings/menu for easier access to pro controls — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Brand new camera with many pro features (aperture control, white balance, shutter speed, video tap-to-track) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Physical aperture control (selectable lens aperture options for different light and background effects) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Starburst effect available at f4 aperture — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Manual white balance control (fluorescent, daylight, shadows) — though auto recommended — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Shutter speed control in video mode for crisp or cinematic motion — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Video tap-to-track that locks focus on a person as they move or re-enter frame — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Customizable camera layout and controls (can add/remove/rearrange buttons) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Format button to switch between 24MP and 48MP for higher resolution/detail — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Styles customization with new texture options (soft skin, glow, film) and strength controls for grain/glow — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Photos editing: Reframe and Extend generation tools to change perspective and expand images — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Cameras are fantastic — photos and videos look amazing — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture can improve bokeh and low-light results in some situations — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • New manual camera controls in Apple Camera app (aperture, shutter speed, white balance) for more creative control — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Can convert a regular video into a cinematic video and adjust blur levels after recording — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Starburst effect achievable by manually changing aperture — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • New adjustable aperture (f1.48 to f4) adds creative control and improves low-light video noise — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Softer but useful new camera controls and Final Cut Camera app provides advanced manual control (smooth aperture and white balance adjustment) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Photos app improvements (adjustable video blur in post, captions for videos, better cleanup tool) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Ultra wide and 4x telephoto remain solid and usable for portraits/macro — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Cameras remain excellent; variable aperture and new software Pro controls give a more professional look to photos and video — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Great night shots and overall camera improvements (cinematic mode, aperture) — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Physical aperture blades on the main camera allow real, adjustable iris (f1.48 to f4) for softer background/bokeh and more 'pro' feel — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • More pro camera controls built into the native camera app (manual white balance, manual focus, shutter speed, recording formats), increasing capability for serious creators — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Overall camera system is the best on an iPhone — very capable for vlogging, pocket/prosumer use, and professional-looking content when used properly — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Native app-level pro features make advanced shooting easier without third-party apps — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Ability to manually force a specific lens via new focus menu (more camera controls) — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Extensive new photo styles (soften skin, glow, fill, grain) that produce cinematic, stylized results — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • New built-in camera controls (white balance, manual focus, variable aperture selection) in stock app — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture (f1.48 to f4) improves low-light and close-up shots and allows creative effects — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Cinematic video can do 60fps and effect can be applied after capture with strong background separation — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Cameras possibly the best on a phone right now; excellent video performance and consistent low-light video — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture is a nice hardware addition and offers more manual control (shutter speed, white balance) — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Soft skin feature protects skin tones in photos and works for front and back cameras — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Camera UI updated with refinements and more manual controls — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Front camera (square selfie sensor) is great; no need to move hand when changing orientation — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture on the main camera (first for iPhone) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • More manual controls in the camera app (white balance and shutter speed) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Main camera produces excellent daylight and night photos with good detail, dynamic range and color — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Telephoto (4x) and 2x digital zoom produce good results; ultrawide performs well in good light — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Strong video capabilities: up to 4K60 on all cameras, 120fps on main, Dolby Vision, ProRes, Apple Log 2 — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture camera and improved image sharpness vs 17 Pro Max; good zoom (up to 8x usable, up to 40x digital), better indoor/food/close-up shots. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Front-facing camera improved for selfies and video (18 MP square sensor, good stabilization at 4K60). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Offers pro video options (Apple ProRes) and many camera controls/settings for creators. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Significant camera system upgrade with a variable mechanical aperture on the main lens (physical blades) giving real depth-of-field control without relying on software. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Still one of the best smartphone cameras for video and photos, with pro controls (aperture control, white balance, histogram, etc.). — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Cameras improved — new aperture blades handle lighting better and make filming smarter — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture camera is cool and can improve low-light shots (widest f1.48) and speeds up low-light capture — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Cinematic video: can convert regular 4K60 main-camera video to cinematic mode, adjustable and non-destructive — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Cinematic mode can now shoot at 4K60 — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • New Pro Controls in camera app (adjust aperture, shutter speed, white balance, histogram on screen) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Can shoot time-lapses in 4K — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture in main camera (f1.48–f4) for shallower depth of field and creative control — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Less oversharpening/overprocessing vs previous generation — more natural images and improved fine detail — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Overall still a terrific, well-rounded camera system (selfie, video, pro options) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Main camera redesigned with physical variable aperture (F1.48–F4.0) for more light, adjustable depth of field, and niche close-up control — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • 48MP main sensor retained and main camera improvements give noticeably better results in initial impressions — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Cinematic mode now supports 60 FPS and can be applied after recording; includes focus tracking — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Pro Controls enable manual control of aperture, shutter speed, and white balance (plus histogram and pinnable shortcuts) — useful for creators — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Pro camera system offers great flexibility and portability; good enough to replace a proper camera in many situations; separate ultra-wide, main, and telephoto lenses and improved low-light performance — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Marginally better subject separation and slightly improved low-light photos vs 17 Pro — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Good camera system — improved photo vibrancy, variable aperture, pro options like histogram and white balance lock; very good for video — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Camera: variable aperture is a useful innovation and helps low-light with f1.48 — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Aperture and camera improvements help document shots at f4 (cleaner edges) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Performance (64)
  • Consistent daily performance over two weeks — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • New A20 Pro (2nm) chip brings tangible performance and thermal/sustained workload improvements — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Better sustained performance under heavy video recording (runs cooler/maintains performance longer) — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Overall incremental improvements and some future‑proofing features — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Very large generational performance leap thanks to the A20 Pro — much faster than the A19 Pro and other phone chips — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Better thermal management despite huge performance gains (enlarged vapor chamber helping) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • A20 Pro super core delivers exceptional single-core performance (breaks 4000 Geekbench) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Outstanding sustained GPU/game performance (50%+ faster in 3DMark Steel Nomad, sustained scores in Wildlife Extreme) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Only slightly hotter hotspot than 17 Pro (~1°C) while delivering much higher performance — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Improved vapor chamber cooling (covers ~3x more surface area) — better heat distribution, reduces dimming in direct sunlight and helps performance — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • A20 Pro chip (first 2nm process on iPhone) — significant CPU/GPU/memory bandwidth improvements and snappier app/game performance — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Noticeable performance gains (up to ~27% CPU, ~40% GPU, ~50% memory bandwidth) — benefits heavy gamers and intensive tasks — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Redesigned thermals reduce overheating and throttling, take longer to heat up, and recover faster (larger vapor chamber). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Improved sustained performance with A20 Pro due to better thermals (sustained frame rate, smoother gaming, faster exports). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Notable CPU/GPU performance gains (about 20–30% CPU, ~40% GPU in benchmarks). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Boring/under-the-radar upgrades (thermals, efficiency, modem, faster wireless) noticeably improve daily experience. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Performance improved with A20 Pro chip — feels snappier and better for gaming/multitasking with less throttling — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Improved thermal management (vapor chamber) allows longer sustained performance and gaming sessions — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Better heat dissipation thanks to a larger vapor chamber — stays cooler during long recording/gaming sessions and reduces throttling — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Powerful A20 Pro chip with 12 GB RAM — very snappy, excellent gaming and longevity for future performance — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Improved cooling with a larger vapor chamber so the iPhone 18 Pro Max stays relatively cooler (about 5–6°C cooler vs 17 Pro Max). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Better sustained gaming performance — higher average FPS and improved 5% low frame stability (fewer random frame drops). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • New A20 Pro 2nm chipset with claimed fastest GPU and improved thermal packaging (vapor chamber) — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Up to 40% sustained performance improvement over iPhone 17 Pro — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • New A20 Pro chip with claimed ~27% CPU and ~45% GPU improvements over A19 Pro — more headroom for heavy tasks, gaming, editing and AI features — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Expected improved cooling system (mentioned as a point to test) — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • New chipset (Apple A20 Pro) with sizable CPU and GPU performance gains — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Smooth, snappy day-to-day performance; interface works very well — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Impressive processor upgrade (A20 Pro) with large efficiency and performance gains — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Thicker camera plateau and vapor chamber improve sustained performance and cooling (sustains higher GPU scores) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Very strong sustained GPU performance and cooling — sustains higher scores than competitors and holds performance even with a case — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Solid day-to-day performance; A20 Pro chip keeps everything smooth and similar to A19 Pro — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Better cooling / less overheating observed in real-world use — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • A20 chip brings more efficient performance (faster exports, editing, gaming) and contributes to better battery life — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Larger vapor chamber near the CPU helps the phone run cooler and more efficiently — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Significantly larger vapor chamber keeps the phone cooler, charging stays faster for longer, and display dims less quickly in heat — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Very strong performance and smoothness (new 820 Pro chip + larger vapor chamber keep it cool) — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Best performance with Apple 18 Pro chip; excellent sustained thermal performance (phone stays cool under load) — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Larger vapor chamber / better thermals and less throttling in CPU sustained tests — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Significant AI performance improvement (~50% in Geekbench AI) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • New A20 Pro chip brings significant performance improvements (higher benchmarks, better heat dissipation). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Very efficient A20 Pro (2nm) chip contributing to major efficiency gains — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Improved thermal design (massive vapor chamber) keeps the phone cooler and prevents brightness throttling outdoors — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Overall refined, worry-free experience combining battery, thermals, and display quality — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Feels like an improvement over iPhone 17 Pro Max with slightly better cameras and better battery life — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Overall still an amazing/very good phone despite issues — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Improved thermal performance — holds peak performance better than previous generation — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • A20 Pro chip appears energy-efficient for regular use — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • More consistent top-end frame rates in demanding games (18 Pros remained at high frame rate) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Significant GPU performance uplift (~one third faster in graphics test vs previous gen) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • More efficient A20 Pro 2nm chip which can give performance with lower energy use (potential battery benefits) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • New A20 Pro chip and improved vapor chamber for better performance and cooling — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Both models share most features so parity between Pro and Pro Max aside from size and battery — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • A20 Pro 2 nm chip offers significant CPU and GPU performance improvements vs older chips (approx. 25% CPU, 41% GPU over A19) — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Upgraded vapor chamber gives better sustained performance and cooler temperatures under load vs older models (e.g., ~7°C cooler than 16 Pro) — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Overall phone is powerful and capable — offers a lot of performance and features — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Using the phone full-time since release (implied reliability/ready at launch) — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • New chipset improves overall efficiency — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • A20 Pro processor provides a fluid, fast experience with few stutters — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Improved efficiency/export speed from A20 Pro and dual neural engine (some export speed gains noted) — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Larger vapor chamber (triple size) helps dissipate heat more efficiently, allowing sustained performance — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Overall: fast, efficient, good battery and camera improvements — solid incremental upgrade over prior years — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Very fast performance—snappier app opening and UI responsiveness — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Improved thermal design (bigger vapor chamber) spreads heat better so performance stays higher longer — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Design and Build (62)
  • Silver finish improved and looks stunning — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Design is familiar and nearly identical to last year (comfortable one‑handed use) — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • New color options (glacier blue and burgundy) and more color‑matched rear finish — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Feels like a solid one‑handed device despite being a bit heavier — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Pitaka cases support the 18 Pro lineup (case ecosystem noted as thin, protective, magnetic) — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Durable build with ceramic shield on front and ceramic shield on back (ceramic shield 2 front) — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island with new animations and can show three live activities at once — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Glacier colorway is very appealing in person — more saturated baby blue and a great match with accessories — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Wide range of matching Apple accessories (silicon case, tech woven, clear case with MagSafe ring, wrist strap) that pair well with the Glacier color — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Silicon case closely matches Glacier color and clear case shows MagSafe outline and camera cover — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Previous iPhone 17 Pro cases fit the iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max (same dimensions, button placement, overall design) — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island takes up less screen space and can show three ongoing activities (useful for travelers) — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Finish (black) looks fantastic and holds up aesthetically for the reviewer. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Torras Q3 Air Pro case offers strong protection without excessive bulk (16 ft drop rating) and useful features like O stand and good screen protector handling of harsh light). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Design feels premium — back glass matches aluminum giving a refined look; aluminum has held up without scratches — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island (≈30% smaller) and reliable Face ID in normal conditions — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Phone feels heavier but that is preferred by reviewer for perceived build quality and battery benefit — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Custom solid-gold construction—phone made of solid gold by Aurum Edition — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Extremely high attention to detail and craftsmanship in the customization — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Heavy, substantial solid-wood presentation box adds to premium feel — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Intricate decorative work around ports, speaker grille, SIM tray and buttons — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Custom engraved name on the side (personalization) — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Custom metal buttons and consistent design pattern around frame and top — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Distinct modular design on back with glossy finish to highlight elements — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Prominent, high-relief decorative element (Lord Hanuman) with deep detailing — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island — less obtrusive while viewing content — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Amazing piece of hardware; the best iPhone Apple has ever made — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • All-new colors (burgundy, glacia, silver, black) with color-match glass back panels — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Refined design and build quality (polished feel, heavier around +16g but premium). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Familiar design with same dimensions as previous generation — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Black color option available — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Recommendation to choose lighter colors (silver/glacia) for fewer fingerprints — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Action button (customizable) replacing mute switch; camera controls button added — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Design largely consistent with prior generation (17 Pro cases fit 18 Pro) — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Phone fits in previous generation (17 Pro Max) cases despite slightly thicker camera plateau — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Glacier Blue color looks very good in person — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Almost identical design and good ergonomics; feels comfortable in hand — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Improved color options (black, burgundy, glacier) and single-color finish — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • New black color option (black colorway looks great) — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Improved colors (new blue and burgundy) that look really good — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Alumu case provides premium look and proper protection (mentioned as accessory that complements the phone) — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Maintains premium build, IP68 water resistance to 6 m, action key and dedicated camera key — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Available in multiple colors (Glacier Blue, black, silver, burgundy red). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Comes with quality accessories (Caseify case, tempered glass, lens protector). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Maintains Ceramic Shield glass, aluminum side frames, anti-reflective coating, and IP68 dust/water resistance. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Supports MagSafe and works with protective cases (case mentioned improves drop protection and adds functionality) — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Big, purposeful chunky size that feels satisfying (Pro Max form factor). — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Attractive color options (burgundy mentioned) and stealthy black aesthetic on review unit. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Glacier blue color looks sharp and doesn't show many fingerprints — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Impressive engineering and novel implementation (unique compared to competitors) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Thermal design improvements: improved vapor chambers, graphite and copper layers, and A20 Pro die placement for better cooling — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Maintains same shape as previous generation — cases from 17 Pro/17 Pro Max fit — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Attractive new colors (deep black) and improved color matching between glass back and aluminum chassis — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Much larger vapor chamber (three times larger) improves thermal dissipation — runs cooler and more evenly — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Attractive new colors (burgundy and black) with good color matching and matte finish — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Clean, minimal aesthetic for the black model that stays understated — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Ceramic Shield 2 glass with much better scratch resistance — glass stayed brand new after heavy use — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Overall design largely the same as last year with new color options — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Camera bump only 0.1 mm thicker and compatible with prior year cases — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Durable glass (Ceramic Shield/ceramic steel) with no scratches observed — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Durability has been great so far (no scratches observed with a case) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Black color looks rich and is a safe choice — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Battery Life (50)
  • On‑paper and initial battery life is substantially better than last year (fantastic early battery) — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Better real-world battery life vs prior generations (Pro Max: ~34 hours continuous video streaming) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Improved charging speeds — ~50% charge in ~15 minutes (faster peak charging) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent battery life — Apple's biggest/longest battery ever in an iPhone; noticeably longer than 17 Pro Max (often ending day with ~40% remaining) — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Faster charging supported (0–50% in ~15 minutes with 60W charger), even if reviewer didn’t feel it personally — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Improved battery life in everyday use (around 6.5 hours screen-on; can end day with ~50% on light days). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Battery improvements come from combined efficiency gains: A20 Pro efficiency, C2 modem, and improved thermals. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Significant battery life improvements — can last 2–3 days for many users; still 30–40% by end of heavy day — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Larger battery and bigger vapor chamber contribute to longer battery life and better thermal management — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Wired charging speeds dramatically improved (0–50% in ~17 minutes for 18 Pro Max) — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Supports smarter charging (AVS protocol) with chargers that optimize charging power and care mode to improve long‑term battery health — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Compact fast chargers available (Anker example) that are small but powerful and receive OTA updates — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Great battery life — around 19 hours measured and noticeably better than previous models, easily lasting a full day for most users — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Much faster charging speeds (USB‑C up to ~50% quickly; full charge in about an hour observed; MagSafe faster too) — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Good battery life — noticeably better battery endurance compared to 17 Pro Max (extra 8–12% in practical use). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Faster charging support (mentions new 40W dynamic power adapter and faster charging completes around 1.5 hours). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Larger physical batteries leading to much better battery life compared to last year — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • eSIM-only versions have slightly larger batteries in some regions — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Faster charging — around 50% in 15 minutes with a 60W adapter (improved over last year) — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • MagSafe support for wireless power banks; fast wireless charging with supported banks — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Improved battery life (Pro Max still best; smaller Pro now much more comparable) — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Faster charging: ~50% in ~15 minutes with compatible wired charger — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Significantly improved battery life — lasted 17 hours 27 minutes and outperforms previous iPhone by ~3 hours — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent charging speed (peaks around 50W) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Fast charging improved — 50% in ~15 minutes with a ~60W adapter — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Generally good battery life comparable to 17 Pro Max (claims for much longer playback but real-world similar) — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Very improved battery life — iPhone 18 Pro matches 17 Pro Max battery and iPhone 18 Pro Max can almost reach two days, lasting through heavy daily use — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent battery life — about 14 hours usage on travel and often two days; ~30% better than iPhone 17 Pro Max — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Much faster charging (50% in ~15–20 minutes with 60W charger) and faster than previous iPhone models — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Best battery life experienced on an iPhone; lasted ~2 hours longer than Galaxy S26 Ultra in drain test — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Improved battery capacity (~500 mAh increase, ~10%) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Improved battery life (active use ~19.5 hours in testing) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Faster wired charging (advertised 54W, sustained charging and 0–81% in 30 mins, 100% in 55 mins) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Support for 25W C2 wireless charging — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Includes 45W charging brick (small) and iPhone 18 Pro Max supports up to 53W charging. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Battery capacity increased to 5391 mAh (~9% improvement over 17 Pro Max) and much better screen-on time (reports of ~17 hours). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Faster charging at 53W supported. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Fast charging — can reach full power in about 40 minutes — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Better battery life in testing (turning off Apple intelligence improved battery; claimed long video playback: 36h Pro / 45h Pro Max) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Fast charging capability in theory: 50% in ~15 minutes with appropriate 60W PD 3.1/3.2 charger — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Measurable battery life improvement vs prior generation (18 Pro lasted longer in test; Pro Max also showed longer runtime) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Faster charging up to 60W — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Battery life improvements (Pro up to ~34 hours, Pro Max up to ~43 hours) — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Slightly improved battery compared to last year’s models (explicitly noted) — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Improved battery life vs older models (about 30 minutes more than 17 Pro; much larger gains over 16/15/14 Pro) — reduces battery anxiety and can last all day with heavy use — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Battery performance comparable to previous Pro Max models, making Pro Max less necessary — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • With heavy use and international roaming, can still last all day and return with ~10–20% battery — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Battery increased by about 500 mAh — noticeable jump in battery life (around 50% left at day end vs 30–40% previously) — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Great battery life—ending most days with more than half (50–60%) remaining — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Standout battery performance: reliable multi-day-ish endurance and zero battery anxiety — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Software (33)
  • Native camera app gains (gimbal‑like features, head tracking, finer control of white balance and shutter speed) add powerful software features — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • On-device and cloud AI features are useful — shortcut generation, cloud-based photo cleanup, and improved Siri personal context — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • iOS 27 polish and Liquid Glass UI improvements; more customization and refined UX. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Siri AI is much more conversational and capable (follow-ups, screen understanding, personal context, app actions). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Siri AI / iOS 17–27 improvements have made Siri AI more usable and indexing improves functionality — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Internals/software remain standard iPhone—functionality unchanged from stock 18 Pro Max — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • iOS 27 with Apple intelligence and Siri AI features (contextual understanding, camera-based event detection) — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • New wallpaper tools (extend to fill empty space, 3D spatial wallpaper, shrink clock) for better framing and depth — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island that can show up to three live activities and can be hidden/swiped — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Swipe-down Dynamic Island shortcut to open the new Siri (convenient access) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Brand new Siri app with chat history, option to switch between Siri and ChatGPT, and extensive voice customization (type, pace, expressivity) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Siri integration in camera (Siri mode) to identify objects in photos and ask follow-up questions — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Liquid glass slider to adjust transparency of icons and menus — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Widgets can extend to full pages for quick control without opening apps — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Photos app ratings control to star-rate images and filter by rating — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Wallet app can create passes by scanning loyalty/ticket/membership cards to add barcodes/QRs digitally — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Shortcuts app natural-language creation: describe a shortcut and the iPhone will create it — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Timer control allows adjusting seconds by tap-and-hold on the timer graphic — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • iOS 27 features available on 18 Pros (new software tricks) — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Improved software/AI features (double the on‑device AI, Siri improvements, camera Siri, smart actions) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island allowing three activities instead of two (more useful multitasking) — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • iOS 27 is very smooth; new Siri is much smarter and stores conversations in a Siri app — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Dynamic Island unchanged but can show up to three live activities — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Ships with iOS 27 and new Siri AI plus improved widgets and UI refinements — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Improved widgets and native AI features (ChatGPT integration, image background removal/playground app). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island that is less obtrusive. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • New Siri/customizable voices and improved Apple Intelligence features available on 18 Pros (better natural language, photo editing tools) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Still receives all modern iOS features and best access to Siri/Apple Intelligence when upgrading — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller, improved Dynamic Island can show three live activities and displays more useful info (e.g., timer remaining) — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Native Camera app now has Pro Controls (no need for third-party apps) — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • iOS 27 is generally faster and more fluid than last year's iOS — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • New Pro controls (white balance, shutter speed) built into camera app—improves workflow — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Siri AI improved and more usable than before — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Display (30)
  • Slightly smaller Dynamic Island gives more screen real estate — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Same comfortable 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with 120 Hz — beautiful display — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion and Ceramic Shield — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • High‑brightness OLED screen (up to ~3,000 nits) — very crisp and usable outdoors — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Displays retain same brightness and have a 25% smaller Dynamic Island — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Brighter display and better heat management, so screen dims less often in bright sun — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent overall screen quality (same high quality as modern iPhones) — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island with IR camera tucked under display (hardly noticeable) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Display calibration more precise and more color accurate (cooler whites) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Display upgraded to LTPO Plus — improves battery efficiency and reduces low-light grain/flicker; still Super Retina XDR with vivid colors and 3000 nits peak brightness — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island due to moved Face ID sensors, giving slightly more usable screen space — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Improved outdoor visibility compared to iPhone 17 Pro Max (though not perfect) — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island supports a third live activity, increasing onscreen info — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Display is bright, comfortable outdoors, smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, and smaller Dynamic Island allowing more app info — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller front screen cutout (35% smaller) with IR camera moved under the display — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Large 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 120 Hz display with up to 3000 nits peak brightness and Ceramic Shield 2. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Display is a visual masterpiece: excellent HDR, high contrast, bright highlights, detailed shadows, lifelike color without over-saturation — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Display stays bright and responsive under direct sunlight during extended 4K shooting sessions — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Great display: crisp and looks great — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Works with screen protectors that are optically clear (avoid poorly engineered protectors) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller dynamic island (~25% smaller than previous generation), allowing one extra live activity slot — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Helps with sustained screen brightness on hot/sunny days (benefit from thermal improvements) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island (25% smaller) gives back screen space and supports three live activities — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Displays individually calibrated and more color-accurate (true-to-life colors) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Large Pro Max screen (6.9") and Pro screen (6.3") with Super Retina XDR, 120Hz and high peak brightness (1,000 nits HDR, 3,000 nits outdoors) — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Pro Max larger screen makes video shooting and photo editing easier — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller Dynamic Island (35% smaller) allowing up to three live activities and cleaner look — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Display is very good — same brightness and resolution as last year, very usable in bright sunlight — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • LTPO Plus display for better efficiency and up to 3000 nits peak brightness — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Smaller dynamic island due to hole punch (smaller interruption on-screen) — zollotech · ▶ Watch
Other (11)
  • High‑quality 6.9" OLED display with adaptive 120Hz and strong peak brightness (auto ~970 nits, peak >2700 nits) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Anti‑glare coating for better outdoor visibility — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID still works well despite under‑display IR camera — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent display quality: clarity, saturation, deep blacks — great for video and media consumption. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Strong gaming performance: smooth gameplay at high settings, good touch response, minimal frame drops and controlled thermals (~36–40°C). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Exceptional battery life — best battery life the reviewer has ever had on an iPhone, often ending days with ~50% remaining and eliminating battery anxiety — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Camera usage (photos/videos) does not drastically drain battery — battery percentage refuses to plummet under heavy camera use — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Excellent Pro Max display — bigger and visually impressive. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Great battery performance — around 6 hours gained vs previous generation and reliably lasting to ~50% by evening for normal use. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Very powerful A20 Pro chip (first 2nm chip) — future-proof performance for years. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Battery life is excellent — can still have 36% after a heavy day of use and lasts much longer than previous models — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
Security and Biometrics (8)
  • Under-screen IR Face ID camera that worked suitably well in testing — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Under‑display Face ID relocated infrared sensor — Face ID performance remains about the same — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID sensors partly moved behind the screen, allowing up to three live activities simultaneously — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Ability to set alternative Face ID appearance (can add another person's face to unlock) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID feels faster — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Hidden Face ID cameras under the display (top-left) that never reveal themselves and work even when screen is on — very well hidden and impressive — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Under-display Face ID performs as well as iPhone 17 Pro in tests (no reduced capacity or accuracy observed) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID has been rock solid and as quick as previous model on this unit — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Connectivity (8)
  • C2 modem (in some regions) improves cellular reception compared to previous model. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • N1 wireless chip makes AirDrop and wireless transfers much faster. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Improved C2 modem performance for slightly stronger signal and marginally faster downloads, also contributing to battery efficiency — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Connectivity Assist: automatically switches to cellular data when Wi‑Fi is weak so you don't stay on a bad connection — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Unknown callers can be set to 'ask reason for calling' so caller must state purpose before you pick up — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • No noticeable difference in cellular reception/speed between different US modem variants in reviewer’s use — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Has eSIM and 5G capability and runs iOS 27. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Apple C2 modem reception held up well in poor-signal spots (Canadian model) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Audio (7)
  • Excellent speakers and best-in-class haptics. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Individual volume sliders for ringtone, alarms, and notifications (turn off match ringtone volume) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Use any MP3 from Files as a ringtone via share → Use as ringtone — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Speakers sound the same/good (no regression) — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Stereo speakers with very good loudness and slightly better sound quality than last year — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Good stereo sound and earpiece output (comparable to previous generation). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Speakers sound excellent—some of the best on a phone — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Storage (4)
  • Very fast storage/installation speeds on at least the 256 GB model (fast storage contributes to quick installs/downloads) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • 2 TB storage variant (high-capacity model) — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • 12 GB RAM and multiple storage options (256 GB to 2 TB) available. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Base storage starts at 256 GB, which is generous for users coming from lower-capacity iPhones — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
Value for Money (4)
  • Apple replaced a faulty unit (good customer service/replacement) — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • High trade-in value for previous Pro Max models makes upgrading cheaper — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Great choice for buyers who want long-term use (4–5 years), with fantastic cameras, battery life, and performance — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Overall a solid device and good investment for content creators and photo/video enthusiasts. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
Overall (4)
  • Overall a refined, improved version of the 17 Pro Max — "doubling down and improving it" — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Refinements (not reinvention) — incremental improvements that are noticeable in daily use — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Overall experience close to perfect for a traditional slab iPhone; best iPhone Apple has ever made — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Welcome refinements and several under‑the‑hood upgrades — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch

Cons (214)

Design and Build (57)
  • Wear around camera ring over time from setting the phone down (cosmetic wear) — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Design largely identical to prior model with only minor aesthetic changes — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Heavier than the 17 Pro (211 g), noticeable in hand — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Very few external changes from the 17 Pro — largely indistinguishable externally — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Darker color finishes (burgundy and black) attract fingerprints — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Both devices weigh slightly more than last year (Pro +~5 g, Pro Max +~16 g; Pro Max almost 250 g) — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Very heavy and bulky (heavier than last year) — makes it uncomfortable to carry in pockets and more prone to drops/accidents — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Size/weight leads reviewer to carry it less and be more worried about drops — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Despite durability, still need caution when using without a case (possible scuffs from drops) — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Black finish is a fingerprint magnet and shows tiny scratches more (anodised aluminium exposes noticeable aluminium underneath). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Black model can feel slightly warmer in direct sunlight compared to lighter colours. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Reviewer received a faulty unit with a faulty logic board causing overheating and device becoming unusable (temperature sensor error) — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Phone is slightly heavier (249 g), ~16 g heavier than previous gen (may be a downside for some) — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Certain colorways (black and burgundy) pick up fingerprints, dust and gunk very easily out of the box — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Camera area could not be replaced with gold due to technical components (remains original/black) — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Base phone was black so original color is visible in some areas (contrast with gold) — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Heavier weight (~16 grams heavier) may be noticeably heavier in hand. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Aluminum chassis is prone to noticeable scratches — recommend putting a case on immediately — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Design is largely unchanged from the 17 Pro/Pro Max (mostly new colors only) — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Physical weight increase — 16 g heavier and noticeably heavier in hand — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Camera plateau slightly thicker (though still fits old cases) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Heavier than previous model — 249 g vs 233 g; noticeably heavy and tiresome for one-handed use — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • No notable improvement in aluminum durability compared to prior generation; concerns about dents/scratches — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Still susceptible to scuffs/dents if dropped (aluminum can dent badly) — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Minor ergonomic reach issues for apps on far side of large 6.9-inch screen — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Weight and size may make prolonged one-handed use tiresome — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Design largely unchanged from iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max (same body, same camera layout, same screen sizes) — feels like a minor 'S' style update — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Lack of new color options compared to previous year (missed orange) — minor aesthetic disappointment — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Phone is very heavy and top‑heavy (249 g), making it bulky and uncomfortable to use — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Black color is a fingerprint magnet and aluminium frame is soft (prone to scuffs/scratches), so a case is recommended — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Phone has become chunkier and is the heaviest iPhone Apple has made — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Some colors (burgundy) attract more fingerprints — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Phone is 15 g heavier than last year due to bigger battery and vapor chamber — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Overall design and materials largely unchanged (can reuse last year’s case) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Design is largely carryover from iPhone 17 Pro Max — camera positioning and overall look largely unchanged. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Dynamic Island/light elements are less prominent ("lumit"/reduced). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Slightly heavier than the 17 Pro Max due to larger battery (adds weight). — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Significant weight — uncomfortable heavy feel at 249 g, heaviest mainstream flagship; with case can exceed 300 g — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Size can be too big at times — hard to use one-handed and increases risk of dropping when walking the dog. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Black finish picks up smudges easily. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Paint/finish is chipping/peeling within weeks (cosmetic finish coming off), not covered by warranty/AppleCare as 'cosmetic wear' — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Thermal and battery improvements add weight — devices are slightly heavier than previous generation — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture adds mechanical parts (blades, actuators, extra glass) which increase weight and introduce moving parts — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Heavier than previous generation (18 Pro ~5g heavier; 18 Pro Max significantly heavier — up to ~16g more), making it noticeably heavier to hold — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Increased weight due to bigger vapor chamber and battery may detract from appeal — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • If used without a case, paint/metal may chip and scratch easily — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Phones attract fingerprints and dust easily (fingerprint magnet) — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Design largely similar to iPhone 17 Pro — feels like the same phone once cased, limiting perceived value of upgrade — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Slight increase in weight compared to last year (7 g and 18 g heavier) — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Risk of scuffs/scratches if not using a screen protector historically, though ceramic shield helped — user still prefers a case due to drops — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Many rugged cases are thick/heavy; need for protective case adds bulk — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Black color is an absolute fingerprint magnet and requires frequent wiping — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Concerns about durability of the black coating on the aluminum frame — coating can wear or chip at contact points — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Aluminum frame more prone to dents compared to titanium or stainless steel if dropped — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Heavier than previous model (249 g vs 233 g on 17 Pro Max); phone getting heavier — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Scratching/discoloration reports from other owners (some users saw scratches or camera-ring discoloration) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Camera-ring discoloration reported on burgundy and black variants by some users — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Camera (52)
  • Cameras are not a huge step up from last year for video — not a gigantic improvement over iPhone 17 Pro Max for many users — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture benefits are only useful for a small subset (pro photographers/videographers); most users won't notice it — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture and sensor improvements are subtle; benefits mainly noticeable in very dark conditions or close subject distances — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Unclear real-world impact of variable aperture on small smartphone sensor — may be subtle in many situations and requires more testing — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Many camera features (like manual controls) may be less useful to average users who shoot primarily in automatic mode — may not justify upgrading from recent models — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture is overrated for most users; limited depth-of-field change and widest aperture can be softer at edges. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Camera Control UI is easy to accidentally brush and change exposure unintentionally (annoying in practice). — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Camera control button is present and often hit accidentally; reviewer doesn't use it and wishes it could be remapped — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture feature is rarely used by reviewer and offers negligible difference in most situations — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Zoom quality still degrades if pushed very far (beyond ~15–20x becomes noticeably fuzzy; extreme zooms look like much older smartphones) — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Camera picture quality improvement is subjective — while controls and flexibility improved, it's unclear if everyday photos look markedly better — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Some camera processing (HDR stacking) can produce subtle blurriness on fast-moving subjects compared to single-capture third-party apps — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Some camera improvements are incremental — overall photo quality and color science are very similar to 17 Pro Max (not a huge leap). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Ultra-wide consistency and lens switching can be rough/noticeable, especially during video recording (lens switching issues). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture and aperture-controlled depth-of-field effects are limited by small sensor/lens size, so DOF differences remain subtle compared to larger cameras — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • White balance manual control exists but the presenter recommends leaving it on auto (implying potential complexity for casual users) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture and camera improvements offer limited visible benefit for users coming from 17 Pro/Pro Max — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Cinematic conversion of regular video cannot change focus point after recording (only blur levels adjustable) — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Many advanced camera features are primarily for users who tinker; casual point-and-shoot users may not benefit enough to justify upgrade — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Adjustable aperture sometimes doesn't change behavior in Auto (stays at wide apertures) and sensor size limits depth‑of‑field benefits for many shots — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Autofocus/depth‑of‑field quirks: very shallow focus at wide apertures can challenge autofocus and minimum focus distance remains limited (~7 in) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Aperture settings can introduce softness (f1.48 less sharp than f1.8/f2.8; diffraction softness at f4) — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • New aperture blades introduce quirks like sunstar effects when stopped down and some unexpected flare behavior — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Default camera app lacks preview for log video, only records log in ProRes (large files); limited white balance presets and no tint control — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Photo editing AI features (spatial reframing/generation) show visible AI sloppiness and soft generated areas — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • Few visually noticeable camera improvements in practice — the physical aperture effect is subtle and may not justify upgrading for most users — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • No 8K video recording option (still limited to 4K), which may disappoint a small subset of creators — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Back camera hardware largely similar to previous generation (not a big camera leap) — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Minimum focus distance on main and telephoto lenses remains poor (limits macro/close-up capability) — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture does not produce a huge real-world difference for most shooting scenarios; not a gamechanger for typical smartphone use — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Would have liked portrait video mode on ultra wide — missing compared to some competitors — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Selfie portrait mode is overly cropped for portrait selfies — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture yields little practical benefit for photos and limited depth‑of‑field change on small sensors — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Aperture changes didn't noticeably improve photo sharpness or quality in testing — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Camera manual mode is limited (parameters in separate panels, not a full pro mode) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Telephoto 4x zoom detail could be a bit crisper (similar to last year) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • 8x zoom photos are grainy and a bit soft (digital zoom limitations) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Ultrawide less appealing indoors and can be softer without night mode — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Night shots from telephoto/ultrawide can be soft without night mode; night mode (12MP) is noticeably better — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Rear cameras show prominent internal reflections from lights at night (Apple lens quirk not addressed) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Macro lens behavior can be annoying (auto-switching); reviewer prefers disabling it. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Underutilization of advanced camera features — user needs to remember to use aperture control, histogram and other pro tools. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture yields limited practical improvement over iPhone 17 Pro in many good-light conditions; not as transformative as expected — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Cinematic conversion limited to main camera and didn’t support log footage from Final Cut camera app — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture provided only subtle real-world improvement over prior generation; not a significant night-mode improvement in samples — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Ultra wide, telephoto, selfie largely unchanged from last year — not a big jump in pure image quality — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture’s real-world difference between F1.48 and F4.0 is minimal and mainly useful for niche close-up shots — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Ultra-wide and telephoto lenses unchanged from iPhone 17 Pro (only main lens updated) — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Video quality lags unless shooting in log and color grading later — not ideal for users who want great straight-out-of-camera video — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture had limited real-world impact vs 17 Pro (marginal improvements only) — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Variable aperture on a small sensor has limited practical benefit for most users (not a strong reason to upgrade) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Aperture control in auto mostly stays at wide apertures (f1.8 or f1.48), so variable aperture often unused in auto — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Value for Money (31)
  • Not enough meaningful improvement over iPhone 17 Pro (an 'S' year); many will be advised to skip upgrading — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • High price ($1,200) not justified for users of recent Pro models considering minimal differences — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Price increases: base models about $100 more; 2 TB iPhone 18 Pro Max is ~£500 more (≈25% increase) compared to previous generation — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • For most users coming from 17 Pro (or 16 Pro), the upgrade value is limited given small visible improvements and higher cost. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Stock replacement units may be delayed because inventory is low — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • If a device fails after return/warranty phase it can be expensive to repair or effectively bricked — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Box is bare — only a USB‑C cable included, no charger — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Price increase — Pro Max starts at $1,299 (256GB) and high‑capacity models are very expensive — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Customization is purely aesthetic; no internal or performance improvements (nothing changed on the inside) — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Very time-consuming and laborious customization process (long production time implied) — Technical Guruji · ▶ Watch
  • Not a significant upgrade worth buying if you already have a recent Pro Max (16/17 Pro Max); limited advantage for those models — Matt Talks Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Price hike compared to previous model (price difference vs 17 Pro Max is obvious). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • High price (implied: 'six digits' — expensive) — suggests waiting and trying form factor in store before buying — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Higher starting price (Pro $1199, Pro Max $1299) and costly if choosing larger storage — significant extra expense — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Not worth upgrading if you already have iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max — improvements are not substantial enough to justify trade-in/upgrades for recent owners — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Perceived as 'boring' or incremental; overall not a major reinvention which may disappoint those expecting bigger changes — Tech Fowler · ▶ Watch
  • Higher price — $100 more ($1,300) makes it less affordable — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Visually almost identical to last year; most people should probably skip upgrading if they have recent Pro models — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Timing of release is poor because an anniversary iPhone is expected next year, making this less compelling as an upgrade — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Mostly a refresh rather than a major redesign after last year's big change — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Not enough new material to justify upgrading from iPhone 17 Pro Max for many users — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Many features are incremental rather than revolutionary — not a huge upgrade if coming from 17 Pro Max. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Potential buyer dilemma because a new foldable iPhone (iPhone Duo) is coming — may be worth waiting if interested in a foldable. — Mark Ellis Reviews · ▶ Watch
  • Higher base price: base models $100 more than previous generation and steep increases at higher storage tiers (2 TB significantly more expensive) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Upgrade is more expensive (at least $100 / higher UK/US prices and pricier higher storage options) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Iterative updates — many upgrades are modest; not compelling to users of 2–3 year-old iPhones — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • Not a compelling upgrade for owners of iPhone 17 Pro unless you specifically want the new features or get a great deal — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Price increased to $1,200 (base) and higher in many countries — getting expensive relative to real-world upgrades — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Not enough of a generational upgrade over 17 Pro (felt like a 17S); not worth upgrading if on 15/16/17 Pro — better value only from 14 Pro or older — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Component order cuts and lower consumer demand indicate limited appeal due to price and incremental updates — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Price increased — $100 more than last year with higher starting storage (256 GB) and higher-cost tiers up to 2 TB, making it expensive — zollotech · ▶ Watch
Software (21)
  • Native camera app limits variable aperture to four presets (no fine‑grained control) and requires third‑party apps for more control — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Some new camera/software features are exclusive to 18 Pro/Pro Max and weren't back‑ported to 17 Pro/16 Pro — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Upgrading from a recent Pro involves hassle (transferring data, re‑signing into services, changing digital keys, etc.) — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • iOS 27 has bugs and includes slow animations that mask the hardware responsiveness — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Some new software features will roll out from October and some will have usage limits (potential feature restrictions) — SuperSaf · ▶ Watch
  • Apple locked new native pro camera controls to 18 Pro models (product differentiation), preventing older models from getting them despite no obvious hardware limitation. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Some new camera/software features are limited to the latest model and could have been pushed to older gens — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • New manual camera controls in the stock app are limited (no ISO control), and Apple's HDR/Photonic Engine can interfere when you want full manual control — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Some manual controls can be pointless or cumbersome if not placed for easy access — needs customization for good workflow — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • 3D photo widget spatial scene effect currently only works with the Featured Photo widget (limited) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Some widget full-page extension support is limited — not all widgets can extend to full pages yet — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Some new Pro camera controls are software-limited to the 18 Pro Max, leaving 17 Pro Max owners without features (frustrating restriction) — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • iOS 27 still has glitches — crashes, freezes, and cases requiring full reboot (camera screen going black) — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Low Power Mode experience is not fluid and lags, especially at low battery percentages — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Some AI features (GPT integration) can be lagging behind or limited in availability. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Reviewer hints at possible software bugs circulating for the iPhone 18 Pro series (some users reporting issues), though reviewer hasn't experienced them — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Some users may find the smaller dynamic island and extra live activity slot not particularly useful (superfluous for many) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Dynamic Island change is subtle and not particularly important to reviewer — SpawnPoiint · ▶ Watch
  • Siri AI / Ask AI performs poorly and gives incorrect answers, reducing usefulness of on-device AI features — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Initial software had freezing/stuttering and random reboots (fixed in iOS 27.0.1) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Pro controls (shutter speed, white balance) not back-ported to 17 Pro Max despite being software-capable — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Performance (13)
  • Occasional minor stutter when waking and scrolling; not a perfect zero-stutter experience — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • General performance gains are not noticeable for typical day‑to‑day use — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • Steel Nomad benchmark runs are short — real-world long gaming sessions are more meaningful (implied concern about sustained thermals, though device performed well) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Improvements in raw performance feel marginal in everyday light use — real-world difference vs 17 Pro Max is limited for typical users — Brandon Butch · ▶ Watch
  • Not a big performance jump in benchmarks despite new A20 Pro (2nm) chipset — CPU/GPU/NPU improvements are modest. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Unclear real-world performance and long-term behavior at time of review — reviewer hasn’t completed full long-term testing — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Most improvements not noticeable if upgrading from recent models (15 Pro/16 Pro/17 Pro); limited real-world gains for many users — Dan Fox · ▶ Watch
  • Runs hotter than competitors during stress tests (hottest device), feels a bit hotter in hand despite even heat distribution — Created by Ella · ▶ Watch
  • GPU sustained performance not as impressive as CPU improvements — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Phone has experienced unexpected overheating — getting 'blazing hot' in pocket when idle/on home screen — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Overheating issue happened multiple times (though infrequently), which is surprising given advertised improved cooling — Tech Dad · ▶ Watch
  • Despite faster chip, device still heats and reduces power under sustained load (stability drop after heavy graphics test) — The Tech Chap · ▶ Watch
  • A20 Pro performance is overkill for many users who won't utilize it, yet they pay a premium — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
Display (13)
  • Edge of the display is slightly curved causing screen protector bubbling issues at the edges — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Display is largely unchanged — same display, brightness and resolution as last year (no significant display upgrade). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Reflectivity issues at the display sides (anti-reflective coating not as effective compared to some Samsung phones). — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • Dynamic Island still occupies screen space (though smaller than before) — Mary Bautista · ▶ Watch
  • Dynamic Island is smaller compared to older models (may be a negative for some users who preferred larger) — Hayls World · ▶ Watch
  • Display still dims significantly when hot and bright outdoors and is worse than some competitors due to weaker anti-reflective coating — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Anti-reflective coating not as good as competitors (harder to see outdoors); suggestion Apple add better coating — ZONEofTECH · ▶ Watch
  • Display lacks a built-in privacy screen feature that competitors (e.g., Galaxy S26 Ultra) have — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
  • Display brightness roughly in line with last year (no major display improvement) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Lacks a true anti-reflective display compared to competitors (would improve visual experience) — Mark's Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Under-display area requires driving pixels brighter (over the hidden camera) which may be slightly visible on darker content — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Concern about long-term longevity/degradation of pixels over the hidden camera area due to higher brightness — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Dynamic Island smaller placement required moving Face ID sensor behind display, causing slight pixelation near the time (noticeable up close) — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
Security and Biometrics (10)
  • Face ID is hit-or-miss after sensor move under display — can fail in morning with glasses, sometimes fails in low light, and had initial crashes for some users — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Some users have reported rough patches with the under-screen IR Face ID (not universally flawless) — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID feels less reliable at certain angles compared to 17 Pro; occasional failures and 'Face ID not available' reported. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID can struggle in very dark conditions (early morning unlocks) possibly due to sensor under glass — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID / infrared camera repositioning to the side can cause visibility/consistency issues at certain angles/lighting — Face ID may be less consistent for some users. — GadgetByte Nepali · ▶ Watch
  • No under‑display fingerprint reader (still only Face ID) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • Screen protectors can interfere with under-display Face ID unless optically clear/engineered correctly — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • New Face ID placement can cause reliability issues with some screen protectors (privacy/matte) — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
  • Face ID issues reported by many owners (not recognizing faces as well for some); under-display placement may cause problems — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
  • Screen protectors (especially privacy ones or older 17-fit protectors) can interfere with Face ID — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Battery Life (7)
  • Battery life improvements may be temporary (uncertain how they hold up long term) — 9to5Mac · ▶ Watch
  • iPhone 18 Pro (smaller model) battery was not as good for reviewer; smaller size less ideal for heavy users — Karl Conrad · ▶ Watch
  • Battery life improvements not clearly realized in early use — real-world battery similar to 17 Pro Max despite higher claimed numbers — Andrew Clare · ▶ Watch
  • Battery life improvement is modest compared to last year (not a huge jump) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • 25W wireless charging unchanged (same as before) — GSMArena Official · ▶ Watch
  • To achieve fastest charging, you need specific advanced chargers (not all high-wattage chargers support required voltage switching) — Dave2D · ▶ Watch
  • Battery improvement over 17 Pro is small (~30 minutes) and not a major difference — Created Tech · ▶ Watch
Other (3)
  • Phone still runs warm under heavy load despite improved vapor chamber — will get warm during intense tasks — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Overall upgrade is incremental (S‑style) — not strongly recommended if you already have an iPhone 17 Pro Max — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Siri AI still unreliable at times—misses or fails to hear properly and can completely fail — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Audio (3)
  • Speakers exhibit raspiness, distortion, and occasional popping at higher volumes. — Andrew Ethan Zeng · ▶ Watch
  • Display and audio largely similar to prior model — sound not noticeably improved over 17 Pro Max. — Gadget Sidekick · ▶ Watch
  • Some owners report a mysterious crackle/pop from the earpiece when interacting with UI (scrolling, toggling airplane mode/brightness) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch
Connectivity (2)
  • Some cellular/Wi‑Fi issues reported (specifically with AT&T in the U.S.) requiring phone replacement for affected users despite iOS updates — zollotech · ▶ Watch
  • Occasional AirDrop failures transferring between Mac and iPhone — XEETECHCARE · ▶ Watch
Storage (1)
  • Higher-capacity storage configurations (1 TB/2 TB) use QLC flash that can slow dramatically when buffers are empty (can drop to ~45 MB/s), affecting long ProRes recordings and large restores — Linus Tech Tips · ▶ Watch
Overall (1)
  • Some reported small problems from other owners (various issues reported widely) — Matthew Moniz · ▶ Watch

Review sources

Frequently asked questions

Is the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max worth buying?

Based on 28 independent YouTube reviews, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 3.6/5 with 389 positive and 214 negative points mentioned by reviewers, placing it #98 in the Smartphones category.

What do reviewers like most about the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The most praised aspects are camera, performance, design and build — Camera (104 mentions), Performance (64 mentions), Design and Build (62 mentions).

What are the most common complaints about the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Reviewers most frequently criticize design and build, camera — Design and Build (57 mentions), Camera (52 mentions).

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Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max - Pros Cons Index