iPhone 18 Pro Max battery and repairability assessments

Recent technical evaluations of the iPhone 18 Pro Max highlight both its battery efficiency and repairability challenges. In battery endurance tests conducted by TechDroider, the OnePlus 15 outperformed the iPhone 18 Pro Max, lasting 13 hours and 33 minutes compared to the Apple device's 11 hours and 40 minutes of active use. However, the iPhone demonstrated high efficiency relative to its 5,395 mAh battery capacity, whereas the OnePlus 15 utilized a significantly larger 7,300 mAh battery.

Regarding hardware maintenance, iFixit assigned the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10. While Apple has improved battery access by using a screw-in metal bracket instead of heavy adhesives, technicians noted risks during the disassembly process. In several instances, the plastic frame of the screen cracked or detached when attempting to separate the display from the chassis to reach the battery.

Internal teardowns also revealed a new variable aperture mechanism in the main camera using six magnetic blades. While the camera module itself is replaceable, iFixit noted that repairing the internal mechanism is likely impossible in practice. Additionally, the American version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max was found to utilize a Qualcomm chip for connectivity rather than the Apple C2 modem found in other variants.