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The iPhone 18 Pro Max and vivo X300 Ultra are both released flagship phones, but there is no reliable single price difference between them without choosing a country and comparable configurations. Apple lists the iPhone 18 Pro Max from US$1,299 for 256GB; vivo’s China-market X300 Ultra prices range from CNY 6,999 to CNY 11,999 across different RAM, storage, and package options. On paper, vivo offers two 200MP rear cameras, a 144Hz display, and faster listed charging, while Apple emphasizes a three-camera 48MP system, iOS, and its Apple ecosystem. Those specifications alone cannot establish which takes better photos or performs better in everyday use.
At a glance: iPhone 18 Pro Max vs vivo X300 Ultra
| Specification | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | vivo X300 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Release | Announced September 9, 2026; availability began September 18, 2026, according to Apple’s announcement. | Launch month listed as March 2026 on vivo’s China product page. |
| Display | 6.9-inch OLED, 2868 × 1320, 460 ppi, adaptive ProMotion up to 120Hz; Apple specifications: iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications. | 6.82-inch AMOLED, 3168 × 1440, 144Hz; vivo China specifications: product page. |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion Main with variable aperture, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, and 48MP Fusion Telephoto; Apple specifications: technical specifications. | 200MP 35mm main, 200MP 85mm telephoto, and 50MP 14mm ultrawide; vivo China specifications: product page. |
| Processor and software | A20 Pro; iOS 27, according to Apple and Apple’s specifications. | Fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform; OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, according to vivo China. |
| Battery and charging | Apple claims up to 45 hours of video playback for eSIM-only models; the cited announcement does not provide a comparable battery-capacity figure. | 6,600mAh typical capacity, 100W wired charging, and 40W wireless charging, according to vivo China. |
| Storage configurations | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB; Apple specifications. | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB, with RAM and package variations; vivo China. |
| Published price | US$1,299 starting price for the US market, for the 256GB model; Apple announcement: September 2026. | CNY 6,999–11,999 across configurations listed for China; vivo China. |
The display figures and camera specifications above are manufacturer-published data, not independent measurements or a head-to-head test.
How much more does the iPhone 18 Pro Max cost?
A direct price difference cannot be calculated responsibly from these published figures. Apple’s US$1,299 starting price is for a 256GB iPhone in the US. vivo’s CNY 6,999 to CNY 11,999 range is for China-market packages whose RAM, storage, and included items differ. A currency conversion would not make the products like-for-like.
For a useful comparison, check the exact models sold in your country and match storage as closely as possible. The final amount can also depend on local taxes, import charges, seller pricing, warranty coverage, and the exchange rate on the purchase date. vivo’s China-market prices, network documentation, satellite features, and package names should not be assumed to apply to other regions.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
vivo X300 Ultra China-listed configurations
| Configuration listed by vivo | China-listed price |
|---|---|
| 12GB RAM + 256GB storage | CNY 6,999 |
| 12GB RAM + 512GB storage | CNY 7,499 |
| 16GB RAM + 512GB storage | CNY 7,999 |
| 16GB RAM + 1TB satellite-communication version | CNY 8,999 |
| 16GB RAM + 1TB photographer kit | CNY 11,999 |
These are the configurations and prices shown on vivo’s China product page; they do not establish local pricing or availability elsewhere. Apple announced a US starting price of US$1,299 for the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max, with availability beginning September 18, 2026. Its announcement also listed financing of US$54.12 per month for 24 months under its stated offer; eligibility and terms depend on market and date. See Apple’s announcement.
Which phone has the better camera?
The published specifications describe different camera approaches, but they do not prove that either phone produces better photos or video overall. The iPhone has three 48MP rear cameras, including a variable-aperture main camera. vivo lists two 200MP cameras and a 50MP ultrawide, with a 35mm main-camera view and an 85mm telephoto view. Megapixel counts and lens specifications cannot substitute for side-by-side image tests.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
iPhone 18 Pro Max camera system
Apple lists a 48MP Fusion Main camera with four aperture options: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, and ƒ/4.0. It is joined by a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide and a 48MP Fusion Telephoto at 100mm, which Apple identifies as 4x. Apple also lists optical-quality 2x and 8x telephoto options, a 16x optical-quality zoom range, and up to 40x digital zoom. Its camera controls include aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and histogram. Full details are in Apple’s specifications.
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vivo X300 Ultra camera system
vivo lists a 200MP 35mm Zeiss main camera, a 200MP 85mm Zeiss telephoto with 3.7x optical zoom, and a 50MP 14mm Zeiss ultrawide. The China page also lists up to 105x digital zoom and 8K video recording. Those are manufacturer specifications; the page does not provide independent comparative results. See vivo’s product information.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Consider the focal lengths and controls that suit your photography. The listed vivo lenses provide distinct wide, main, and telephoto perspectives; Apple specifies variable aperture and a set of creator-oriented camera controls. To determine which phone handles detail, skin tones, low light, motion, video stabilization, or zoom better, you would need comparable real-world sample images and video—not just the specification sheets.
Display, performance, and software
Display
Apple specifies a 6.9-inch OLED panel at 2868 × 1320 pixels and 460 ppi, with adaptive ProMotion up to 120Hz. vivo lists a 6.82-inch AMOLED panel at 3168 × 1440 and 144Hz. The vivo sheet also lists 10.7 hundred million colors. The higher listed refresh rate and resolution do not, by themselves, establish better brightness, color accuracy, outdoor visibility, or smoothness in use; those comparisons require independent testing.
Rank #4
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Performance and operating system
The iPhone uses Apple’s A20 Pro and iOS 27. vivo lists a fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite platform and OriginOS 6 based on Android 16. Chip names and core counts are not a reliable substitute for application-specific benchmarks or everyday testing. Choose based on the apps, services, and software experience you need, including local support for the specific vivo model.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsApple says the A20 Pro and vapor chamber enable up to a 40 percent sustained-performance gain over the previous generation. That is Apple’s comparison claim, not an independently measured result. The claim and launch details appear in Apple’s announcement.
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity or higher relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 1 year of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Battery, charging, and durability
Apple claims up to 45 hours of video playback for eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro Max models. vivo lists a 6,600mAh typical battery, 100W wired charging, and 40W wireless charging. These are not equivalent measurements: Apple’s figure is a stated playback claim, while vivo gives battery capacity and charging specifications. The available specifications do not establish which lasts longer or how quickly either phone charges in comparable conditions.
Apple specifies IP68 resistance under IEC 60529, tested by Apple to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. This is a laboratory rating under the stated test conditions, not a guarantee against damage in every exposure. The specification is on Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max page.
Availability and regional support to check
Apple says iPhone 18 Pro Max availability began September 18, 2026. vivo lists March 2026 as the X300 Ultra launch month on its China product page. These dates do not confirm that both devices are officially sold, supported, or warrantied in a particular country.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Before importing or buying a China-market vivo model, verify the exact model’s cellular bands with your carrier, local warranty terms, software and service support, and compatibility with the features you rely on. vivo’s documentation lists Chinese carrier bands and says network availability depends on carrier networks, infrastructure, and software. Its Beidou satellite-messaging note applies only to satellite-capable configurations with China Mobile service and operator activation. See the China-market details on vivo’s product page.
Quick Recap
Which one should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS and already depend on Apple services or devices, or if Apple’s specified camera controls and variable-aperture main camera match your workflow.
- Consider the vivo X300 Ultra if its two listed 200MP cameras, 144Hz display, or specified charging speeds are priorities—and you can buy a region-appropriate model with acceptable carrier, software, and warranty support.
- Do not decide on price alone until you compare current local offers for matched storage and account for taxes, import costs, and warranty.
- Do not assume a camera, battery, display, or performance winner from manufacturer specifications alone; the available figures are not a controlled comparison.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
