In any other year, the iPhone 18 Pro Max would be hailed as the best iPhone ever. While true at the time of writing, this status is temporary due to the upcoming iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable device, which will release weeks after this review. This makes the iPhone 18 Pro Max sit atop the lineup only briefly before being overshadowed. Despite this, the device remains a stellar flagship with top-tier features and a premium price point. The arrival of the foldable model won't diminish the iPhone 18 Pro Max's quality, but it complicates the recommendation for potential buyers.

The design of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is familiar, sharing identical dimensions with the previous year's iPhone 17 Pro Max. It is slightly heavier at 8.78 ounces and features an aluminum unibody with 40% recycled metal. The two-tone finish is replaced by a seamless unified matte finish, with new color options including Burgundy, Glacier Blue, and Black. Internally, Apple has revamped the vapor chamber to help the new A20 Pro chip stay cool for longer. The exterior still features the large camera area, maintaining the premium look and feel of the device.