Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro comes out ahead on 3 counts and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max on 2.
Which should you buy?
Pick the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for
- Lighter: 211 g vs 249 g (38 g less)
- More compact: 13.4 mm shorter
- Cheaper at launch: $1,199 vs $1,299
Pick the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max for
- Bigger battery: 5,391 vs 4,056 mAh (33% more)
- Bigger screen: 6.9" vs 6.3"
Size comparison
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is 13.4 mm shorter, 6.1 mm narrower and 38 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. Its screen is 0.6" smaller.
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro150 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm
Specs side by side
| Launch | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | September 9, 2026 | September 9, 2026 |
| Released | September 18, 2026 | September 18, 2026 |
| Launch price | $1,199 (better) | $1,299 |
| Body | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 150 × 71.9 × 8.8 mm | 163.4 × 78 × 8.8 mm |
| Thickness | 8.8 mm | 8.8 mm |
| Weight | 211 g (better) | 249 g |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum unibody |
| Back | Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Colours | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy |
| Display | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.3" | 6.9" |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 1206 × 2622 | 1320 × 2868 (better) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield 2 |
| Performance and software | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A20 Pro | A20 Pro |
| CPU | 6-core CPU with 2 super cores and 4 efficiency cores | 6-core CPU with 2 super cores and 4 efficiency cores |
| Process | 2 nm1 | 2 nm |
| Ships with | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| Memory | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB |
| Cameras | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rear | 48 MP Main, OIS 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (4× optical), OIS | 48 MP Main, OIS 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (4× optical), OIS |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Optical zoom | 4× | 4× |
| Front | 18 MP | 18 MP |
| Video | 4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps | 4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps |
| Battery | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,056 mAh1 | 5,391 mAh1 (better) |
| Wired charging | 60 W1 | 60 W1 |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Connectivity | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 6 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C with USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s) | USB-C with USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s) |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite messaging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes1 | Yes1 |
Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max pages.
Quick answers
- Is the Apple iPhone 18 Pro bigger than the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
- The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is 13.4 mm shorter, 6.1 mm narrower and 38 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. Its screen is 0.6" smaller.
- Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
- The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery: 5,391 mAh against 4,056 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
- Which was cheaper at launch?
- The Apple iPhone 18 Pro launched at $1,199, against $1,299 for the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).