Apple has officially announced its latest crop of smartphones, and this time, the lineup comprises two Pro models and the tech giant’s first ever foldable. Now, the iPhone Duo won’t be arriving on our shores just yet, but that just leaves time for us to get acquainted with the iPhone 18 Pro Max. While it’s not exactly the most exciting release this year, the phone does have a few new things to offer.
At a glance, though, said new things aren’t immediately apparent. As far as appearances go, the iPhone 18 Pro Max doesn’t introduce any significant changes. The major redesign came with its predecessor, and for the most part, the new model is sticking with the same ideas. The company has done away with the odd two-toned look, though. The phone looks more cohesive overall, since the back panel now matches the frame better.
Notably, Apple is playing it a bit safe with the colours this time. Gone is the bright and bold Cosmic Orange of last year. Instead, you get your choice of Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. This particular model is the Black version, which is arguably the most conventional option. Either way, it has the sleek and premium look one can expect from an iPhone.
Picking up the phone, one may notice that it is a bit hefty. The device is heavier than its precursor, weighing 249g. This is likely in part due to the new imaging hardware, which also contributes to the slightly thicker camera plateau. I wouldn’t go so far to say that the handset is uncomfortably heavy, but it certainly seems like Apple is intent on maximising its mass with every iteration. While I do fear that the phone may become a victim of gravity, so far, I haven’t had any issues with keeping a good grip. It sits comfortably in your palm, but it’s undeniably awkward to use with just one hand.
At the moment, it’s a little too early to say how the phone fares in terms of performance. But so far, the usual swiping and scrolling activities go by without a hitch. iOS 27 feels smooth and snappy, and if you’re still not super keen on the translucent Liquid Glass look, it can be easily toned down.
Another thing I should point out is the smaller Dynamic Island cutout, which Apple achieved by hiding some of the Face ID components under the display. The change doesn’t seem to affect the feature, though, as it seems to work just as reliably.
Beyond that, the other major update is the variable aperture on the main camera. Basically, it lets you adjust the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for more control over the depth of field and lighting. By default, the phone automatically adjusts the opening, but users can set it manually. Based on the few shots taken so far, the results can be pretty subtle, with the more obvious distinctions being the bokeh effects.
But that’s just based on initial impressions. I’ll reserve my judgement of the iPhone 18 Pro Max for after I’ve put the phone through its paces. So, expect a full review sometime soon. The phone is already available on our shores with a starting price of RM5,999.
