iPhone 18 Pro Max vs vivo X300 Ultra
Two brands, one target. The iPhone 18 Pro Max from Apple and the vivo X300 Ultra from Vivo compete head to head for flagship smartphone shoppers. The vivo X300 Ultra has the edge in 3 of the 5 areas we looked at, most visibly in the camera category.
At a glance
- Display vivo X300 Ultra wins
- Performance iPhone 18 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 18 Pro Max wins
- Camera vivo X300 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging vivo X300 Ultra wins
- Memory & Storage6.4
- Camera3.2
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera7.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The vivo X300 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
The iPhone 18 Pro Max gives up a lot on main camera: 48 MP, compared with 200 MP on the vivo X300 Ultra. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
-
The vivo X300 Ultra has a dedicated 200 MP telephoto camera
Few buyers will miss this one. The vivo X300 Ultra brings 200 MP to the table; the iPhone 18 Pro Max brings 48 MP. A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the vivo X300 Ultra a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
-
The vivo X300 Ultra has a 144 Hz display instead of 120 Hz
Slight advantage to the vivo X300 Ultra: 144 Hz compared with 120 Hz. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
-
The vivo X300 Ultra has a 0.60 oz lighter build
On weight, the vivo X300 Ultra edges out the iPhone 18 Pro Max, 8.18 oz to 8.78 oz. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
-
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
When it comes to max storage, the iPhone 18 Pro Max wins comfortably with 2 TB against 1 TB. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s bigger maximum.
Design & Size
- iPhone 18 Pro Max 6.43 in × 3.07 in × 0.34 in
- vivo X300 Ultra 6.42 in × 3.02 in × 0.32 in
Both come in at nearly the same overall dimensions, so pick on other grounds. The vivo X300 Ultra weighs 0.60 oz less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Pick the vivo X300 Ultra and you get a profile 0.02 in thinner.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.02 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.78 oz Heaviest in class | 8.18 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
vivo X300 Ultra leads
By a small margin, the vivo X300 Ultra is the stronger of the two in this area. Point to the vivo X300 Ultra for a 144 Hz display instead of 120 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the vivo X300 Ultra feels more fluid in everyday use. Weighing only display, the vivo X300 Ultra comes out ahead.
Refresh rate
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 120 Hz vivo X300 Ultra: 144 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
Performance
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 18 Pro Max squeezes out a win in the performance section. The iPhone 18 Pro Max steps ahead thanks to a newer 2 nm chip process. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life. On performance alone, the iPhone 18 Pro Max gets the nod.
Process node
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 nm vivo X300 Ultra: 3 nm The iPhone 18 Pro Max’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much.
CPU cores
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6 vivo X300 Ultra: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads
Slight edge to the iPhone 18 Pro Max on memory & storage. Most buyers could live happily with either. The iPhone 18 Pro Max takes this one with a bigger top storage option. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Max storage
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 TB vivo X300 Ultra: 1 TB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
vivo X300 Ultra leads
In this area the vivo X300 Ultra has a lead the iPhone 18 Pro Max can’t close. On its side, the vivo X300 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. The vivo X300 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer. For camera, the vivo X300 Ultra is the one to beat.
Main camera
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48 MP vivo X300 Ultra: 200 MP More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
Telephoto camera
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48 MP vivo X300 Ultra: 200 MP Telephoto lenses earn their keep at concerts, school events and portraits: anywhere you can’t simply walk closer.
Battery & Charging
vivo X300 Ultra leads
The battery & charging comparison is tighter than it first looks, with the vivo X300 Ultra marginally ahead. The vivo X300 Ultra adds faster 40 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the vivo X300 Ultra refills quicker there. For anyone who cares most about battery & charging, the vivo X300 Ultra is the safer choice.
Wireless charging
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 25 W vivo X300 Ultra: 40 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
The software & updates data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 | 3168 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | N/A (not specified) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A20 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 2 nm (winner) | 3 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 2 TB (winner) | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Optical zoom | 4× | 3.7× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K120 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 6,600 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 45 h Longest rated playback | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 100 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 40 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C (USB 3.2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 27 | OriginOS 6 (Android 16) |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.02 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.78 oz Heaviest in class | 8.18 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,299 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if…
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (2 TB vs 1 TB maximum)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (2 nm vs 3 nm process node)
- you already know your way around Apple’s products
Choose the vivo X300 Ultra if…
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (200 MP vs 48 MP)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (200 MP vs 48 MP telephoto)
- you want smoother scrolling (144 Hz vs 120 Hz)
- you notice every gram in your pocket (8.18 oz vs 8.78 oz)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the vivo X300 Ultra?
For most people, the vivo X300 Ultra is the stronger choice, unless you’d trade the rest for a bigger top storage option.
Which is larger, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the vivo X300 Ultra?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the vivo X300 Ultra is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the vivo X300 Ultra?
Going by the specs, the iPhone 18 Pro Max comes out ahead: it offers a newer 2 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 18 Pro Max have a stronger camera setup than the vivo X300 Ultra?
On paper, the vivo X300 Ultra has the stronger camera setup, with a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 200 MP telephoto camera.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the vivo X300 Ultra?
Going by the numbers, the vivo X300 Ultra’s screen comes out ahead: a 144 Hz display instead of 120 Hz.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max lighter than the vivo X300 Ultra?
Going by the official figures, the vivo X300 Ultra weighs 0.60 oz less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 18 Pro Max and the vivo X300 Ultra come from rival camps, Apple and Vivo, but they’re chasing the same person: you. Start with the headline difference (the vivo X300 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera), and a lot of the decision falls into place. A second reason: the vivo X300 Ultra comes with a 144 Hz display instead of 120 Hz. On the other side, the iPhone 18 Pro Max brings a bigger top storage option, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max makes sense for anyone who values performance; the vivo X300 Ultra for anyone who values display.
My pick: the vivo X300 Ultra, unless you care more about a bigger top storage option than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.