Apple iPhone XS Max review: Plans | Pricing | Specs
Apple's iPhone XS Max has the biggest screen, biggest battery and fastest processor that Apple has put into an iPhone.
6.5 inches
Display size
1242 x 2688px
64GB, 256GB, 512GB
Internal storage
12MP + 12MP
Rear camera
3,179 mAh
Battery size
Finder rated as Good vs similar phones
Details
Display |
Camera |
Physical dimensions |
Connectivity |
Power, storage and battery |
Device features |
Display size | 6.5 inches |
---|---|
Resolution | 1242 x 2688 |
Pixels per inch (PPI) | 458 |
Rear camera megapixels | 12MP + 12MP |
---|---|
Rear camera aperture size | f/1.8 + f/2.4 |
Video recording | 4K |
Front camera megapixels | 7MP |
Front camera aperture size | f/2.2 |
Dimensions | 157.5mm x 77.4mm x 7.7mm |
---|---|
Weight | 208g |
NFC | Yes |
---|---|
Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Network category speed | Category 16 |
Processor | Apple A12 |
---|---|
RAM | 4GB |
Operating system | iOS 12 |
Internal storage |
64GB 256GB 512GB |
External storage support | Up to N/A |
Battery capacity | 3,179mAh |
Headphone jack | No |
---|---|
Fingerprint sensor | No |
Water resistance | IP68 |
Wireless charging | Qi |
Launch price (RRP) | $1,799 |
---|---|
Launch date | 2018-09 |
The good
- Apple A12 Bionic beats all comers
- Dual cameras work well
- iOS 12 is a joy to use
The bad
- Still no expandable storage
- The removal of a headphone adaptor in the box feels cheap.
- Apple charges too much for higher storage variants
- Battery life is better, but it's still well below the industry's best.
Apple's biggest, boldest and by far most expensive phone builds on the model pioneered by the Apple iPhone X, alongside the smaller and slightly less expensive iPhone XS.
Apple's "S" year phones typically emphasise performance over new style points or markedly new features, and it's very clear with the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max that this is exactly what Apple has done this year.
They new phones are the iPhone X on a dose of steroids, with improved performance, upgraded camera features and new size formats, but the way Apple has not-so-subtly crept up the prices for handsets is a serious issue that any smartphone buyer will have to resolve before buying.
Design
- It's the iPhone X, but bigger
- More antenna points around the body
- Slippery, which is scary on a phone this pricey

Camera
- Smart HDR gives pleasing image results
- A very guided camera experience
- Video stabilisation is excellent

Performance
- Apple's A12 Bionic is the processor that other processors fear
- Lacks split screen or a key reason for such a large display.
- IP68 water resistance, but no change to official Apple warranty
- Gigabit LTE, but not the fastest
- Technically Dual SIM, but not in Australia
- No expandable memory (again), and higher storage choices are expensive.

Battery life
- Best battery life on an iPhone to date
- Wired or wireless charging
- Still lags behind premium Android phones for battery life

Verdict
I'm genuinely torn on the iPhone XS Max. It's Apple's best iPhone to date, it has the best processor in the industry, the camera is good and iOS is easy to use.
It's also very slippery, the battery life doesn't come close to the benchmark of the best Android handsets and, of course, it's super expensive.

Pricing and availability
- You can purchase the iPhone XS Max directly from Apple, or compare prices on the iPhone XS Max from retailers like JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Catch.
- The iPhone XS Max is also available on contract through Telstra, Vodafone and Optus.
Compare Apple iPhone XS Max plans
Apple iPhone XS Max specs
Display |
Camera |
Physical dimensions |
Connectivity |
Power, storage and battery |
Device features |
Display size | 6.5 inches |
---|---|
Resolution | 1242 x 2688 |
Pixels per inch (PPI) | 458 |
Rear camera megapixels | 12MP + 12MP |
---|---|
Rear camera aperture size | f/1.8 + f/2.4 |
Video recording | 4K |
Front camera megapixels | 7MP |
Front camera aperture size | f/2.2 |
Dimensions | 157.5mm x 77.4mm x 7.7mm |
---|---|
Weight | 208g |
NFC | Yes |
---|---|
Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Network category speed | Category 16 |
Processor | Apple A12 |
---|---|
RAM | 4GB |
Operating system | iOS 12 |
Internal storage |
64GB 256GB 512GB |
External storage support | Up to N/A |
Battery capacity | 3,179mAh |
Headphone jack | No |
---|---|
Fingerprint sensor | No |
Water resistance | IP68 |
Wireless charging | Qi |
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