I've been testing the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro - your 10 biggest questions answered

Key Points:

• The iPhone 18 Pro Max is heavier than its predecessor, weighing 249 grams due to a larger vapor chamber cooling system, mechanical blades for variable aperture, and a bigger 5,567 mAh battery, while the iPhone 18 Pro is lighter at 211 grams.
• iPhone 17 Pro cases fit the iPhone 18 Pro models as Apple kept the dimensions identical, and the Dynamic Island feature cannot be turned off but is smaller and supports up to three Live Activities simultaneously.
• Battery life has improved with the iPhone 18 Pro lasting 16 hours and 17 minutes in tests, nearly an hour more than the 17 Pro, while the 18 Pro Max leads with 18 hours and 27 minutes, making it the longest-lasting iPhone tested by Tom's Guide.
• The iPhone 18 Pro series features a new six-blade mechanical variable aperture camera exclusive to the Pro models, enabling enhanced optical zoom and customizable aperture, while Cinematic Mode can now be enabled or disabled after recording.
• Powered by the A20 Pro chip, the iPhone 18 Pro offers significant performance gains and improved Siri AI capabilities with iOS 27, but the choice between the 18 Pro and Pro Max depends on preferences for screen size, battery life, and price, with the Pro Max offering a larger display and longer battery life at a higher cost.