This year, Apple did not release the iPhone 18 model. Instead, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo were presented. Sales of the iPhone 18 Pro series have already begun, but the Duo model will only appear on the market at the end of October. This review examines how the iPhone 18 Pro Max performs in early use and compares the changes to previous Pro models.
Analyzing all iPhone reviews, starting from the iPhone 7 series, reveals a certain pattern: Apple has long maintained the same design, focusing on hardware and software when releasing new devices. This trend has continued into the current generation. The design remains the same as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, made of aluminum, and looks very similar to it in use. Nevertheless, there are some elements that distinguish it from older phones, as new devices inevitably must have some differences.
In India, the starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro Max model is ₹1,79,900 for the 256GB version, and the device is available with storage up to 2TB. Thus, this phone is not just expensive, but also one of the most expensive among Apple iPhones.
Design with No Significant Changes
At first glance, it is difficult to determine how much the iPhone 18 Pro Max differs from its predecessor. The 6.9-inch OLED screen, ProMotion feature with a 120Hz refresh rate, and Dynamic Island are still present. Although the Dynamic Island has become smaller, slightly increasing the display area, the screen quality is excellent, and reading on it does not cause particular difficulties even in bright sunlight. Apple has also added an anti-glare coating, which is useful in the sun. However, one aspect is immediately noticeable—the weight. The iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 grams, which is more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and this weight is felt during prolonged single-hand use. This is a justified compromise given the larger display and battery, but it is a significant drawback for those who prefer lightweight gadgets.
Camera—The Main Feature of This Phone
If one has to choose the biggest improvement in the iPhone 18 Pro Max, it is the camera. A variable aperture has been added to the 48-megapixel camera, allowing control over the light entering the lens not only through software but also physically, thanks to the presence of different aperture options. The question of the practicality and frequency of using this feature will only become clear over time. If we recall, the company previously released a camera control button that users still rarely use. The main advantage of this button in everyday shots is greater control over photos. Daytime shots are clean and natural, and the camera works well in low light. But the most interesting effect appears when the user exits automatic mode and uses settings manually. There are three cameras on the back, each with a 48-megapixel resolution. The ultra-wide-angle camera provides a 120-degree field of view, and the telephoto lens supports 4x optical zoom and up to 8x optical quality zoom, while digital zoom reaches 40x.
Apple A20 Pro Chip
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is equipped with the A20 Pro chip, which includes a 6-core CPU, a 7-core GPU, and a 16-core neural engine. Apple has also implemented a new cooling system using a vapor chamber, aimed at maintaining stable performance during long, intensive loads. This is the first processor on the 2nm architecture, significantly surpassing competitors in benchmark scores. Nevertheless, the author notes that a detailed performance report will be provided after long-term use in a full review.
In daily use, the phone demonstrates high speed: opening applications, editing photos, trimming 4K video, or launching demanding games—the phone never slows down in any of these areas. However, there is a nuance here: the average user probably won't feel the full power of the A20 Pro daily. This chip will be more relevant for those involved in gaming, video editing, artificial intelligence, and other resource-intensive tasks.
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI Remain Weak Links
For many years, Apple has provided AI-based features in its iPhones but has lagged behind competitors. Although support for AI in Siri was long awaited, it is now implemented. In the iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with iOS 27, Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI have appeared. Siri now aims to conduct more substantive dialogues and provide a more personalized experience, and the use of AI on the phone has become more noticeable. However, the author's expectations were higher. He hopes that the company will improve this feature with future updates and will provide a full report after several weeks of use.
Another positive detail is the reduction of the Dynamic Island and the relocation of some Face ID elements under the display, which gives more screen space. This is not such a radical change that it necessitates buying a new phone, but in daily use, the phone feels cleaner and more modern. Furthermore, Apple has installed a 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera that offers autofocus, Center Stage functionality, and improved video call capabilities. The focus tracking feature is also a useful addition.
The question of how good the upgrade is becomes complicated. If you already have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and its camera, battery, and performance work satisfactorily, then the iPhone 18 Pro Max does not offer a change that would be universally beneficial for every user.