iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone XS Max
Quick answer
The iPhone XS Max is 5.5 millimetres0.22 inches wider and 7.5 millimetres0.30 inches taller than the iPhone 18 Pro.
The iPhone 18 Pro on Amazon (paid link) is barely a month old and will keep getting iOS updates for years, while the iPhone XS Max (paid link) has already stopped receiving them. You will feel the battery life immediately, with the newer phone lasting much longer on a charge. At $1,199 new versus roughly $150 renewed, it is a costly leap, but the 18 Pro is the only future-proof choice.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 18 Pro
Pocket: iPhone 18 Pro
Weight difference: Not noticeable
iPhone 18 Pro
from $1,199 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone XS Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.4 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 18 Pro: 150 by 71.9 by 8.75 millimetres, 211 grams. iPhone XS Max: 157.5 by 77.4 by 7.7 millimetres, 208 grams.
18 Pro, XS Max shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 18 Pro
from $1,199 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone XS Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 18 Pro 150.0 millimetres, XS Max 157.5 millimetres.Height: 18 Pro 5.91 inches, XS Max 6.20 inches.Width: 18 Pro 71.9 millimetres, XS Max 77.4 millimetres.Width: 18 Pro 2.83 inches, XS Max 3.05 inches.Depth: 18 Pro 8.75 millimetres, XS Max 7.70 millimetres.Depth: 18 Pro 0.34 inches, XS Max 0.30 inches.Weight: 18 Pro 211 grams, XS Max 208 grams.Weight: 18 Pro 7.44 ounces, XS Max 7.34 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 18 Pro | XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 150.0 millimetres5.91 inches | 157.5 millimetres, 7.5 millimetres more6.20 inches, 0.30 inches more |
| Width | 71.9 millimetres2.83 inches | 77.4 millimetres, 5.5 millimetres more3.05 inches, 0.22 inches more |
| Depth | 8.75 millimetres0.34 inches | 7.70 millimetres, 1.05 millimetres less0.30 inches, 0.04 inches less |
| Weight | 211 grams7.44 ounces | 208 grams, 3 grams less7.34 ounces, 0.11 ounces less |
| Volume | 94.4 cubic centimetres5.76 cubic inches | 93.9 cubic centimetres, 0.5 cubic centimetres less5.73 cubic inches, 0.03 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 89 percent | 84 percent, 5 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.3 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.2 inches more |
| Resolution | 1206 × 2622 | 1242 × 2688 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 458 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 | 12MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 | — |
| Rear telephoto | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) | — |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 | 12MP |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A12 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 36 hrs | 15 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP67 (1m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 2 TB | 64 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,199 dollars | 1,099 dollars, 100 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2026 | Sep 2018 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone XS Max is 7.5 mm (0.30 in) taller, 5.5 mm (0.22 in) wider, 1.05 mm (0.04 in) thinner and 3 g (0.11 oz) lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro measures 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm (5.91 × 2.83 × 0.34 in) and weighs 211 g (7.44 oz). The iPhone XS Max measures 157.5 × 77.4 × 7.70 mm (6.20 × 3.05 × 0.30 in) and weighs 208 g (7.34 oz).
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Questions about these phones
How does the iPhone 18 Pro compare to the iPhone XS Max in size?
The iPhone 18 Pro is 7.5 mm shorter and 5.5 mm narrower than the iPhone XS Max. It has a slightly smaller 6.3 inch screen compared to the 6.5 inch display on the iPhone XS Max.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro heavier than the iPhone XS Max?
The iPhone 18 Pro weighs 211 grams while the iPhone XS Max weighs 208 grams. This 3 gram difference is not noticeable in daily use.
Which phone has a bigger screen?
The iPhone XS Max has a 6.5 inch display which is 0.2 inch larger than the 6.3 inch screen on the iPhone 18 Pro. Both phones have similar pixel density around 460 ppi.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro easier to use one handed?
Yes, the iPhone 18 Pro is easier to use one handed and better for small hands than the iPhone XS Max. Its narrower width makes it more comfortable to hold with one hand.
Do both phones fit in a jeans pocket?
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone XS Max both fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but neither fits in a typical women's jeans pocket. The iPhone 18 Pro is more pocketable due to its smaller overall dimensions.
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone XS Max to the iPhone 18 Pro for size only?
Whether upgrading is worth it depends on your needs since the size difference is modest. The iPhone 18 Pro offers significantly better battery life and longer software support.