iPhone 18 Pro Max review: Apple’s biggest, heaviest and longest-lasting superphone
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max combines a large, bright screen, fast performance and some of the company’s best phone cameras with its biggest battery upgrade yet. The reviewer found it can last almost three days with light use, but its size and weight make it difficult to handle, and its starting price is £1,299.
The phone weighs 249g and has a 6.9-inch 120Hz display and an A20 Pro chip. Its battery lasted about four hours longer than the previous model in testing, while heavy use still left roughly half a charge at day’s end. It runs iOS 27, including a revamped Siri AI that can use on-screen and camera context but relies on Apple’s own Messages and Mail apps for some data; the rear camera system adds variable aperture to three 48MP cameras.
- The £1,299 iPhone 18 Pro Max can last almost three days with light use.
- Its 249g weight makes it difficult to use one-handed.
- New Siri AI has limited access to third-party apps.
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Apple manufactures iPhones, among the world's most widely used smartphones. The company releases a new flagship model each year with improved capabilities, and these releases typically attract significant media attention and influence the smartphone industry.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is Apple's largest and most expensive current model, with a 6.9-inch screen, advanced cameras, and the latest processor. It weighs 249g and costs £1,299, making it considerably heavier and pricier than smaller iPhone options. This phone is aimed at users who prioritise advanced features over portability or affordability.
Flagship smartphones from major manufacturers matter because they establish technology benchmarks and influence industry direction. The features Apple emphasises in its most expensive phone—such as display size, processing power, and camera capabilities—reveal what the company considers most valuable. This helps consumers understand what premium devices offer and decide whether such technology meets their own needs.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The iPhone 18 Pro Max justifies its premium for those prioritising cutting-edge technology and battery longevity. The three-day battery life is genuinely transformative, and combining this with the enhanced camera system and improved AI features creates a superphone that fairly earns its position at Apple's lineup apex. For users who can afford it and value these capabilities, the device represents genuine technological achievement worth the price.
The case against
The £1,299 price point is unjustifiable for most users, as the battery improvements alone do not warrant such a substantial premium over significantly cheaper alternatives. The phone's considerable size and weight actively compromise daily usability, making it impractical for many people despite its technical strengths. Better value exists elsewhere in Apple's own lineup or from competitors offering similar performance with greater practicality.