
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS compared
iPhone XS Max (left) has a 6.5-inch screen in an iPhone Plus-sized body, with all of the same exact features of the iPhone XS.
iPhone XS Max Plus-sized
If the iPhone Plus models were too big for your hands, this one will be, too.
iPhone XS Max biggest display ever
The 6.5-inch OLED display is the largest one on any iPhone ever made.
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS compared
The iPhone XS and XS Max have identical cameras, processors and RAM.
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS compared
The iPhone XS Max is really just a bigger phone for bigger hands and a slightly longer battery life.
iPhone XS Max biggest display ever
Imagine an iPhone Plus model that's all screen, and that's pretty much the iPhone XS Max. Its display packs in tons of pixels (2,688x1,242).
iPhone XS Max notch
The notch at the top of the XS Max is the same as the X and XS.
iPhone XS Max notch
The notch vanishes more on the larger-bodied phone, making the all-screen effect more immersive.
iPhone XS Max no 5G
On the test Verizon account I used, iPhone XS delivered with download speeds of 250 Mbps in New Jersey vs. 170 Mbps using the same SIM on the iPhone X.
iPhone XS Max no 5G
Apple didn't include 5G on the newest iPhones, but there is faster gigabit LTE than their predecessors.
iPhone XS Max left side
The left edge with the ring/silent switch and the volume buttons.
iPhone XS Max right side
On the right side is the SIM card tray and sleep/wake button.
iPhone XS Max top
The top view reveals an antenna line on the left.
iPhone XS Max bottom
Across the bottom from left-to-right is an antenna line, microphone, lighting port and speaker.
iPhone XS Max gold
The gold glass back takes on different hues depending on the background and lighting. But it mostly looks beige.
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS water resistance
The iPhone XS Max is rated IP68 which means it can withstand being submerged to 2 meters for up to 30 minutes.
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS water resistance
Last year's iPhone X was only water resistant up to 1 meter.
iPhone XS Max wireless charging
The glass back of the iPhone XS Max allows for wireless charging. Here it is on the Logitech Powered wireless charging stand.
iPhone XS Max price
The other big feature for the iPhone XS Max is the price. It starts out at $1,099, £1,099 or AU$1,799 for a 64GB model.
iPhone XS Max Smart HDR
There is Smart HDR which improves on last year's Auto HDR and it is indeed better.
iPhone XS Max camera
Despite not getting entirely new camera hardware, the cameras on the XS Max are an improvement over those on last year's iPhone X.
iPhone XS Max Smart HDR
The new sensor and ISP definitely made my photos look better.
iPhone XS iPhone XS Max camera
Whether you get an iPhone XS or XS Max, there is absolutely no difference in image quality.
iPhone XS Max portrait lighting mode
Portrait Mode now comes with an adjustable bokeh effect, for adjusting blur after the photo's taken.
iPhone XS Max zoom
Like the iPhone XS, X, 8 Plus and 7 Plus, the XS Max has two times optical zoom.
iPhone XS Max zoom
Optical zoom lets you get closer to your subject without needing to be too close.
iPhone XS Max infinity
There are a lot of new iPhones in this photo.
iPhone XS Max video
Sometimes you just need to take a seat and look at the videos you record. The added HDR and extra stabilization made my more casual videos look better than I expected.
iPhone XS Max selfies
Portrait Lighting effects for selfies that digitally remove the background are improved but still hit-or-miss.
iPhone XS Max iOS 12
The iPhone XS Max runs iOS 12 which includes the addition of Screen Time that shows which apps you use the most.
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS compared Memoji
Last year, there was Animoji (left) and this year iOS 12 on the iPhone XS Max brings Memoji (right).
iPhone XS Max Fortnite
Fortnite on the iPhone XS Max is an experience to behold (I don't really like Fortnite).
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS gaming compared
Just how much more screen do you get for games? A lot.
iPhone XS Max AR
Thanks to the A12 Bionic processor, AR apps and games run well.
iPhone XS Max AR
More AR on the iPhone XS Max.
iPhone XS Max
Is that a T-Rex on your screen? Why yes, it is.
iPhone XS Max
The iPhone XS Max is the luxury yacht of phones. I probably won't buy one because of the price, but it's a nice ride.
iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XS Max
Size comparison between the iPhone 8 Plus and XS Max.
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS compared
From left to right: The iPhone 8, XS, 8 Plus and XS Max.
iPad and iPhone XS Max
Size comparison between an iPad (9.7 inch) and iPhone XS Max.
Kindle and iPhone XS Max
Size comparison between a Kindle and iPhone XS Max.
Switch and iPhone XS Max
Size comparison between the Nintendo Switch and iPhone XS Max.
iPhone XS, XS Max and Gameboy
Left to right: iPhone XS, Gameboy, iPhone XS Max.
iPhone XS, XS Max and sparkling water
Left to right: iPhone XS, can of sparkling water, pepper shaker, iPhone XS Max and an old Nokia phone.
iPhone XS Max and Galaxy Note 9
Size comparison between the iPhone XS Max and Galaxy S9 Plus.
iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XS Max
The camera humps on the iPhone 8 Plus (left) and iPhone XS Max (right).
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max compared
The same photo displayed on the iPhone XS (left) and XS Max (right).
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max compared
Maps on both new iPhones.
iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS compared
The already-great iPhone X gets modestly better in this year's update, but picking which version to get is hard to judge without seeing the not-yet-here XR.
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max compared
A CNET article, displayed on both new iPhones to compare.
iPhone XS Max
Check out my full in-depth review of the iPhone XS Max for more of my thoughts on this behemoth.