iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Real Improvements, Price Up Rp1.5 Million

Apple has just announced the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the big question is: do the improvements justify the $100 price increase over the previous generation? With a starting price of $1,299, the device brings a number of significant updates, but it has also drawn criticism for being considered not revolutionary enough for iPhone 17 Pro Max owners.

In terms of design, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is almost indistinguishable from its predecessor. Both feature a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a titanium frame, and the same camera layout. The main difference lies in weight: the iPhone 18 Pro Max is slightly heavier (8.78 ounces) than the iPhone 17 Pro Max (8.22 ounces). The Dynamic Island has also been trimmed in size, allowing for a roomier display and support for three Live Activities at once, up from two.

The display is one area of improvement. Although the official specifications are the same, laboratory testing shows the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches a peak brightness of 2,326 nits, far above the 1,899 nits of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This makes the screen easier to read in direct sunlight. However, the new anti-reflective coating Apple promised is not very noticeable in everyday use.

The camera is the biggest differentiator. The iPhone 18 Pro Max introduces a mechanical variable aperture with four physical stops (f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4) and native Pro Controls in the camera app. This feature provides manual control over shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and focus—something mobile photographers have long requested. As a result, in low-light conditions, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is able to capture cleaner images with less noise (ISO 1600 vs ISO 2000) and highlights that are not overexposed. At 40x zoom, the difference in sharpness is also clearly visible.

Performance is the main draw. The A20 Pro chip based on a 2nm process delivers a significant leap: Geekbench single-core score of 4,741 and multi-core of 12,789, up 22% and 28% respectively compared with the A19 Pro. For graphics, 3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited recorded an average of 67.9 fps, surging 45% from 46.6 fps on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This improvement is partly supported by a redesigned vapor chamber.

Battery life has also improved, though not dramatically. In Tom's Guide testing, the iPhone 18 Pro Max lasted an average of 18 hours 27 minutes, only about 33 minutes longer than its predecessor. However, 60W charging is a significant differentiator: it takes only 15 minutes to reach 44%, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max reaches just 35%.

On the software side, both phones run iOS 27 with identical Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features. The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers a few exclusives, such as a smaller Dynamic Island and Pro Controls in the camera. However, for iPhone 17 Pro Max users, the everyday experience will not be much different.

"Apple isn't just doing a routine refresh with the iPhone 18 Pro Max—they're pushing the limits in the areas that matter most," the reviewer wrote.

In the Indonesian market, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is predicted to sell at a premium price, given exchange rates and taxes. The $100 increase over the US price could mean an additional Rp1.5 million to Rp2 million in Indonesia. Nevertheless, advanced camera features and high performance remain a draw for professional consumers and content creators. Mobile operators and retailers are expected to offer discounts on the iPhone 17 Pro Max to clear stock, so the older model could be a more economical choice.

With solid but not revolutionary improvements, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is better suited to those who want the best camera and peak performance. Meanwhile, iPhone 17 Pro Max owners are advised to think twice before upgrading, unless they truly need the variable aperture and faster charging. The question now is: will Apple be able to convince the market that this generational leap is worth the higher price?