Xiaomi 18 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Verdict
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores higher on the OH Rank (83 vs 82), winning 1 of 10 categories including Desktop Replacement. Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is 0.4mm wider than Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is the more recent release, from Sep 23, 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
83
82
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
77.6mm (3.06in) · Sep 23, 2026 · Rank #5
15+13+11+12+15+5+4+0+5+3 = 83
SUPERIOR* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Camera* TOP Selfie* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of charging, screen and imaging performance) A year after it's first Pro Max phone Xiaomi knows it is ready for the international market. The new 18 Pro Max brings big upgrades in chip, massive 8500mAh battery, double 200MP lenses that replace the 50MP ones and a new HyperOS 4 with Android's native support for desktop replacement functionality. In the process, the phone grew in size and weight, now almost as big and heavy as it's iPhone competitor.
PROs
unique two screen design, flagship built, excellent (2nm) SD 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 with UFS 4.1 performance, 48hr endurance from a massive 8500mAh Si-C battery with >60min 100W (50W wireless) charging, 2 ~1000nits 120Hz Dolby Vision LTPO AMOLED screens (front is 418ppi), IP68 protection (down to 6m, up to 30min), much improved 200MP 23mm OIS main + 200MP 75mm OIS periscope telephoto + 50MP 17mm ultrawide (all PDAF) setup, 50MP 21mm PDAF selfie, feature rich HyperOS with 6 years of updates, Android's native support for desktop replacement feature, fast USB-C 3.2 with OTG and Display Port, 3 speaker sound
CONs
big and heavy, sub-1300nits screens, no memory expansion, Xiaomi AI feature integration is behind Samsung, Pixel, Honor and Motorola phones, unlike Apple and Samsung phones Xiaomi is not universally available
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
78mm (3.07in) · Sep 18, 2026 · Rank #6
15+14+11+12+15+5+5+0+5+0 = 82
SUPERIOR* BEST Video* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP PHOTO/VIDEO* TOP Selfie* TOP Camera* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: In search of greater profits (as there's no such thing as "enough") Apple is back to incremental improvments. This time: black color is back, new processor, variable aperture on one of the lenses, smaller selfie camera cutout and improved charging speed... that, and a $100 higher price.
PROs
tank-like build, new A20 Pro (2nm) chip with NVMe performance, ~42hr endurance with 60min ~50W (25W wireless) charging, 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 Siri 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, sub-1000nits (!) 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.
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