The quick version
The iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale on 18 September 2026, starting at $1,299 with 256GB of storage (512GB, 1TB and 2TB versions are also available). It keeps the 6.9-inch screen but brings a smarter camera, a faster chip and longer battery life.
A camera that controls light like a pro camera
The main 48MP camera now has a variable aperture: it can open wide (f/1.48) for low light or close down (to f/4) to keep more of the scene sharp. New Pro Controls let you set aperture, shutter speed and white balance yourself. The telephoto camera reaches 8x optical zoom.
A new feature called Apple Reference Image can “sign” photos when they are taken, so it is possible to check later that a picture has not been edited, useful in a time of AI-generated images.
Faster and cooler
- A20 Pro chip: built on a 2nm process; Apple claims up to 20% faster CPU and up to 40% faster graphics than last year.
- Better cooling: a vapour chamber three times larger, for up to 40% better sustained performance in games and video editing.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Outside the US, the phone uses Apple’s own C2 modem.
Battery and design
Apple quotes up to 45 hours of video playback, helped by a bigger 5,567 mAh battery (on eSIM models). With a 60W adapter it charges to 50% in about 15 minutes. The trade-off is weight: 249g, up from 233g. Colours are Black, Silver, Burgundy and Glacier.
Early issues to know about
Some early buyers in the US on AT&T reported cellular connection problems, and Apple said affected phones needed to be replaced. Other outlets have reported Face ID glitches and random restarts, with the restart issue reportedly addressed in iOS 27.0.1. If you buy one, install the latest iOS update first, and check Apple Support if anything seems off.
Should you upgrade?
If you are on an iPhone 15 Pro or older, the camera, battery and speed gains are significant. If you have last year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max, the upgrade is mainly for photography fans who want the variable aperture.
Sources
- MacRumors: iPhone 18 Pro, everything we know
- Business Today: iPhone 18 Pro Max vs OPPO Find X10 Pro Max
- Bloom Pakistan: iPhone 18 Pro Max user complaints