Vivo X500 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Verdict
Vivo X500 Pro Max scores higher on the OH Rank (85 vs 81), winning 1 of 10 categories including Screen. Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is 1.2mm wider than Vivo X500 Pro Max. Vivo X500 Pro Max is the more recent release, from Sep 24, 2026.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
85
81
Vivo X500 Pro Max
76.8mm (3.02in) · Sep 24, 2026 · Rank #2
15+13+15+12+15+5+5+0+5+0 = 85
SUPERIOR* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Screen* TOP Camera* TOP Video Recording* TOP Software* TOP Selfie* TOP PHOTO/VIDEO
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery and imaging performance) Vivo's best 2026 phone is a "Pro Max". A logical and incremental update of excellent X300 Pro, it comes with a top processor, 1500mAh bigger battery (!), >500ppi screen and much improved video recording. Expect top imaging, battery and processor performance
PROs
excellent Dimensity 9600 Pro (2nm) with UFS 4.1 performance, >42hr endurance from a 8000mAh Si-C battery with sub-90min 90W (40W wireless) charging, ~2000nits bright >500ppi 144Hz LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, excellent 50MP 24mm OIS main 200MP 85mm OIS periscope telephoto + 50MP 15mm ultrawide (all with PDAF) setup, excellent 50MP 20mm PDAF selfie, great video recording, fast and stabile OriginOS 7 with 5 years of updates, optional 400mm add-on zoom lens
CONs
bigger and heavier, no expandable memory, no desktop replacement functionality despite Android 17 native support, limited availability
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
78mm (3.07in) · Sep 18, 2026 · Rank #6
15+13+11+12+15+5+5+0+5+0 = 81
SUPERIOR* BEST Video* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP PHOTO/VIDEO* TOP Selfie* TOP Camera* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery, charging and imaging performance) In search of greater profits (because there is no such thing as "enough") Apple is back to microscopic improvments. This time: black color is back, new processor and a variable aperture on one of the lenses... that, and a $100 higher price is all you get.
PROs
tank-like build, fast A20 Pro (2nm) chip with NVMe performance, ~42hr endurance, very good 460ppi 120Hz LTPO OLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP68 protection, excellent 48MP 24mm f/1.5-4.0 OIS main + 48MP 100mm OIS periscope telephoto + 48MP 13mm ultrawide (all 3 with PDAF) setup, great 18MP 20mm PDAF selfie, best video recording, improved AI (by Google) OS with 6 years of updates, fast USB-C 3.2 port with Display Port tech, global availability
CONs
250g heavy, big and difficult to use one-hand, small (for a huge phone) 5400mAh (5500mAh on eSIM-only model) old-tech lithium battery with >70min slow 35W (25W wireless) charging, ~1000nits (dim) screen brightness, no expandable memory, no desktop replacement feature despite Display Port tech, very expensive, overall lack of innovation and excellence Apple products used to be known for
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
Visit Home page to compare world's best phones. You can see scoring and ranking explained on the About page.