Head to head · October 2026
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max is 13.4 mm taller and 38 g heavier than iPhone 18 Pro, with a 0.6″ bigger screen and 9 more hours of video.
Pick iPhone 18 Pro for
- One-handed use
- Light in the pocket
- Budget
From $1,199
Pick iPhone 18 Pro Max for
- Big-screen viewing
- Battery first
From $1,299
Our verdict
Which one should you buy?
Choose iPhone 18 Pro if…
- you want the smaller phone: 13.4 mm shorter and 6.1 mm narrower than iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- weight matters: it is 38 g lighter.
- price decides it: it starts $100 lower at Apple.
Choose iPhone 18 Pro Max if…
- you want the bigger screen: 6.9″ against 6.3″.
- battery life comes first: up to 45 hours of video against 36.
Side by side
Next to each other, to scale.
Screen size
6.3″ vs 6.9″
iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen: 6.9 inches against 6.3 inches on iPhone 18 Pro, about 20% more glass (116.7 cm² against 97.2 cm²). iPhone 18 Pro Max shows 2868 × 1320 pixels at 460 ppi and iPhone 18 Pro 2622 × 1206 at 460 ppi.
| Screen | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Diagonal | 6.3″ | 6.9″ |
| Approx. area | 97.2 cm² | 116.7 cm² |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 | 2868 × 1320 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
Price
$1,199 vs $1,299
iPhone 18 Pro is the cheaper one: it starts at $1,199 at Apple in the US, $100 less than iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299. The table shows every storage option and what each gigabyte costs.
| Storage | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | $1,199 · $4.68/GB | $1,299 · $5.07/GB |
| 512 GB | $1,399 · $2.73/GB | $1,499 · $2.93/GB |
| 1 TB | $1,799 · $1.76/GB | $1,899 · $1.85/GB |
| 2 TB | $2,399 · $1.17/GB | $2,499 · $1.22/GB |
Full specifications
Every figure, side by side.
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2026 | 2026 |
| Apple sells it new | Yes, from $1,199 | Yes, from $1,299 |
| Height | 150 mm | 163.4 mm |
| Width | 71.9 mm | 78 mm |
| Thickness | 8.75 mm | 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 211 g | 249 g |
| Display | 6.3″ | 6.9″ |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 at 460 ppi | 2868 × 1320 at 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz ProMotion | 120 Hz ProMotion |
| Top of screen | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Unlock | Face ID | Face ID |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Rear cameras | Triple 48MP | Triple 48MP |
| Video playback | Up to 36 h | Up to 45 h |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| US price by storage | 256 GB $1,199 ($4.68/GB) · 512 GB $1,399 ($2.73/GB) · 1 TB $1,799 ($1.76/GB) · 2 TB $2,399 ($1.17/GB) | 256 GB $1,299 ($5.07/GB) · 512 GB $1,499 ($2.93/GB) · 1 TB $1,899 ($1.85/GB) · 2 TB $2,499 ($1.22/GB) |
| Colors | 4: Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy | 4: Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy |
Sources: Apple technical specifications for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max; US prices from apple.com, checked October 2026. Apple does not publish RAM; it comes from Apple's Xcode device data as reported by MacRumors, or Wikipedia's list of iPhone models for older phones.
What reviewers say
18 Pro or 18 Pro Max?
Their conclusions, in our words. Follow the links for the full reviews.
9to5Mac · Oct 2026
A spec-by-spec rundown that leans practical: with Duo orders already slipping into 2027, the 18 Pro is the pick for anyone who needs a phone soon.
iPhone Duo vs iPhone 18 Pro: Here’s every key difference ↗9to5Mac · Oct 2026
Stopping down the new variable aperture helps night shots with longer exposures and starbursts, but the tester doesn't see it as a reason to leave a 17 Pro, only a bonus for owners of older iPhones.
Here’s the difference the variable aperture of the iPhone 18 Pro makes at night ↗9to5Mac · Oct 2026
After a month of daily use the reviewer singles out all-day battery with plenty to spare, the new variable-aperture main camera and cooler, steadier performance outdoors.
iPhone 18 Pro one month later: These features keep impressing me ↗MacRumors · Oct 2026
The Duo's extra cost buys a big folding screen and side-by-side multitasking, while the Pro models keep the more versatile cameras, Face ID and a much lower price.
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose? ↗
More reviewer perspectives (4)
TechRadar · Sep 2026
Lab-tests Apple's claims: video playback rises 9% on the 18 Pro and 15% on the 18 Pro Max over the 17 Pro models, though real gains depend on how you use the phone.
Our iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max battery life test results ↗ZDNET · Sep 2026
Sticks with the 18 Pro: the Duo has no Pro camera controls or telephoto, swaps Face ID for Touch ID, is awkward one-handed when open and costs $800 more at 512GB.
iPhone Duo or 18 Pro? 8 reasons why I'm skipping Apple's first foldable ↗Trusted Reviews · Sep 2026
Same A20 Pro chip, cameras and Pro controls, so it comes down to size: the Pro Max for screen and battery, the Pro if you don't want a huge phone.
iPhone 18 Pro vs 18 Pro Max: What's the difference? ↗9to5Mac · Sep 2026
The headline changes are a new variable-aperture main camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, longer battery life and 50% charge in 15 minutes.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: Here's everything new ↗
FAQ
Questions people ask
- Is iPhone 18 Pro Max bigger than iPhone 18 Pro?
- iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm and iPhone 18 Pro measures 150 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm, so iPhone 18 Pro Max is 13.4 mm taller and 6.1 mm wider.
- Will an iPhone 18 Pro case fit iPhone 18 Pro Max?
- No. The bodies differ by 13.4 mm in height, 6.1 mm in width and 0 mm in thickness, and cases are cut to within a fraction of a millimetre. Buy a case made for your exact model.
- Which has better battery life, iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
- iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple rates it for up to 45 hours of video playback against 36 hours for iPhone 18 Pro.
- Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max screen bigger than iPhone 18 Pro?
- iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen: 6.9 inches against 6.3 inches on iPhone 18 Pro, about 20% more glass (116.7 cm² against 97.2 cm²). iPhone 18 Pro Max shows 2868 × 1320 pixels at 460 ppi and iPhone 18 Pro 2622 × 1206 at 460 ppi.
- Which is lighter?
- iPhone 18 Pro weighs 211 g, 38 g less than iPhone 18 Pro Max (249 g).
- How much more does iPhone 18 Pro Max cost than iPhone 18 Pro?
- iPhone 18 Pro is the cheaper one: it starts at $1,199 at Apple in the US, $100 less than iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299. The table shows every storage option and what each gigabyte costs.
Keep comparing
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News & analysis
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