Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max reviewed: incremental upgrades, strong performance and battery life

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max retains the overall design of its predecessor while introducing new colour options, including Burgundy, Black, Glacier and Silver. At 249 g, it is the heaviest model in the lineup, a trade-off that Apple attributes to a larger battery. The 6.9-inch ProMotion OLED display features a slightly smaller Dynamic Island and a Ceramic Shield 2 coating for durability.

The main camera now incorporates a mechanical variable aperture, allowing users to select between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0. Apple’s camera app also adds manual controls for shutter speed, white balance and focus, plus a histogram. While the hardware sensors remain similar to the previous generation, the software enhancements aim to improve low-light performance and give users more creative flexibility.

Powered by the A20 Pro processor, the device delivers faster CPU and GPU performance than the iPhone 17 Pro Max and outpaces competing flagships in benchmark tests. The chip’s efficiency contributes to what reviewers describe as the best battery life seen on an iPhone in years, with typical mixed-use lasting up to two days and a 50 % charge achievable in about 16 minutes using a high-wattage charger.

iOS 27 introduces an upgraded Siri AI that can interpret on-screen content and retain conversation history, as well as new photo-editing tools such as Reframe and Extend, which use generative AI to modify images after capture. Apple also adds a Reference mode that embeds a cryptographic signature in photos to prevent tampering.

Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is positioned as a premium, high-performance device with incremental improvements rather than a radical redesign. Its higher price point reflects the added battery capacity, advanced camera features and the latest processor, while its size and weight may be a consideration for some users.