Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Review: Killer Cameras, Speed And Smarts

As you’d expect, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max runs iOS 27.0.1 (the latest version as of this writing), which now includes the next generation of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, Apple’s revamped conversational virtual assistant. Like Gemini, it’s capable of natural multi-turn conversations, on-screen awareness, and cross-app workflows. It comes with a dedicated Siri app that syncs conversation history across Apple devices. And the results were pretty impressive. It finally feels like Siri can deliver the kind of experience I’ve come to expect from Gemini, which is great news. Of course, the more you’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem, the better the experience. But overall, Apple’s done a great job revamping Siri and turning it into a more useful virtual assistant. Plus, in typical Apple fashion, Siri AI’s new animation looks super cool.
Siri AI runs locally on-device when setting timers, alarms, and reminders, when opening apps or changing system settings, and when searching local photos, messages, calendar entries, and notes. Tasks that exceed the capacity of the local on-device model route through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers, which don’t store any personal data. Obviously, anything that involves looking up information online requires an Internet connection.

Here’s what’s new in iOS 27:

• "Search or Ask" Interface: Swiping down from the center of the display replaces legacy Spotlight with a unified query bar for search and Siri commands.
• Siri Mode in Camera: Visual intelligence allows users to perform searches, identify objects, and analyze scenes directly from the viewfinder.
• Call Context: Proactively surfaces relevant app information during phone calls (e.g., retrieving an airline confirmation code from an email when calling customer service).
• Natural-Language Automation: The Shortcuts app allows automations to be generated simply by describing the desired trigger and sequence in plain language.
• Liquid Glass Customization: A dedicated appearance slider in the settings lets you adjust transparency from completely clear to deeply tinted and opaque.
• Lock Screen Flexibility: Adds a more compact clock font option, dismissible "Now Playing" widgets, and the ability to place a dedicated volume slider on the lock screen.
• Independent Alarm Volume: iOS 27 decouples the alarm audio level from the general ringtone/notification volume.
• Spatial Reframing & Extend: New photo editing tools let you adjust camera perspective after capture or expand image canvas margins using generative fill.
• AirPods Custom EQ: AirPods settings natively support manual audio frequency adjustments via an integrated equalizer.
• FaceTime Dual Capture: Allows supported iPhones to broadcast video feeds from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously during calls.
• Smart Tab Grouping & Notify Me: Safari automatically categorizes open tabs by topic and introduces a "Notify Me" tool to alert users to page changes (such as price drops or restocks).
• Automated Password Upgrades: The Passwords app flags compromised or weak credentials and can initiate automatic updates.
• Relevant Mail Search: Uses a revised relevance-ranking model to surface priority emails and receipts over raw chronological matching.
• Category Time Allowances & Approvals: Parents can configure shared limits across full app classes (e.g., social media or games) and use Ask to Browse to require approval before children open unvisited websites or message unknown contacts.
• Live Recognition: Employs on-device computer vision via the Action button to describe surroundings, identify objects, and answer follow-up queries for visually impaired users.
• System-Wide Synced Captions: Automatically generates live subtitles for any video

In all, iOS 27 behaves a lot like iOS 26, and inherits the same quirks. Notifications are still messy, and iOS still desperately needs a “back” gesture. As always, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max ships with zero pre-installed bloatware, and are set to receive seven to eight years of security updates and OS upgrades. Apple doesn’t have a specific policy for this, but that’s how long the company has supported iPhones in the past.

iPhone 18 Pro Max Review Summary

On the surface, the iPhone 18 and Pro and Pro Max aren’t much different from last year’s models, but these are Apple’s best smartphones yet. I like the “Pro” design, beautiful display, top notch cameras, excellent speakers, outstanding performance, and great battery life. Plus, Siri AI finally delivers a competitive virtual assistant. As such, these are extremely well rounded handsets, and Apple’s broad and refined ecosystem is a significant advantage.

So, are the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max worth the relatively high $1,199 and $1,299 starting asking prices? If you’re a regular iPhone user upgrading from an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or an even older iPhone, probably; if you’re a content creator that shoots videos, absolutely. With features like ProRes, Apple Log 2, and external SSD support, no Android phone matches the quality and versatility of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max when capturing video.
Some Chinese “Ultra” flagships (the Vivo X300 Ultra in particular) come close, and so does the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max’s most obvious competitor, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra. But then again, that’s not a proper “Ultra” phone. “Ultra” flagships deliver significantly better camera systems, 7,000mAh+ silicon-carbon batteries, and 80W+ wireless charging. Kudos to Apple for being honest, and calling its flagships “Pro” and “Pro Max".