Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max keeps a 6.5-inch OLED display in a 226g body, while Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max expands to 6.9 inches and 249g. The newer model provides adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and a storage ceiling of 2TB rather than 512GB. The older handset remains a large-screen option with less weight; the newer Max better suits smoother interaction and a demanding offline media collection.

Buying outright, the 11 Pro Max starts at £180 SIM-free.

Release Date
20 September 2019 18 September 2026
Expert Rating
4.6
17 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen
6.5" 6.9"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1242 x 2688 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch
456 458
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery
3,969 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage
64GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight
226 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
- £11.95/mo (£1055.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£179.99 £1297.00
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Release Date 20 September 2019 18 September 2026
Expert Rating 4.6
17 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen 6.5" 6.9"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1242 x 2688 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch 456 458
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery 3,969 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage 64GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight 226 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts - £11.95/mo
£1055.00 upfront
SIM-free £179.99 £1297.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

64GB

Midnight Green

Refurbished

From £179.99

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Silver

15GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11.95 a month, £1055 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max's 6.5", both screens are similarly sharp at around 456 pixels per inch, and both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £179.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is available in 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+), while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the Apple A20 Pro (2 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is the more portable of the two: it's 23g lighter at 226 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm, and is slimmer at 8.1mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.