iPhone Xs Max

It's important to know that this A2104 iPhone Xs Max was sold exclusively in mainland China and Hong Kong. It supports FDD-LTE bands 1-5, 7, 8, 12-14, 17-20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 66, and 71, plus TD-LTE bands 34, 38-41, and 46. Uniquely, it features dual physical nano-SIM card slots, unlike other models sold outside mainland China which use a nano-SIM and an eSIM.

All iPhone Xs Max models feature a 3D-touch equipped 6.5-inch OLED HDR "Super Retina" display (2688x1242, 458 ppi) that covers nearly the entire front. It has three cameras: a front "TrueDepth" camera in the "notch" for "Advanced Face ID," 7MP photos, and 1080p video with Portrait mode support. The dual rear cameras (wide-angle f/1.8 and telephoto f/2.4) both have 12MP sensors, OIS, and shoot 4K video, offering advanced depth segmentation, Smart HDR, and adjustable depth of field.

The iPhone Xs Max has a "surgical-grade stainless steel" case with a glass front and back, is IP68-rated for splash, water, and dust resistance (up to 2 meters for 30 minutes), and was offered in gold, silver, and "Space Gray."

Internally, it is powered by a 64-bit, 7 nm "Apple A12 Bionic" processor with a six-core CPU and an "8-core Neural Engine." It includes 4 GB of RAM and 64, 256, or 512 GB of storage. It supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi with 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit-class LTE, NFC for Apple Pay, "Express Cards with power reserve," and the aforementioned dual physical nano-SIMs.

Apple estimates up to 65 hours of audio, 25 hours of talk time, 13 hours of internet use, and 15 hours of wireless video playback. The glass back allows for Qi-standard wireless charging.

In China, this unlocked, SIM-free iPhone Xs Max was initially priced at RMB 9,599, RMB 10,999, and RMB 12,799 for the 64 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB models, respectively. Various payment plans were also available.

The China-specific iPhone XS Max distinguished itself as Apple's statement piece for the luxury smartphone segment, earning acclaim for its impressive scale and tailored functionality. Technology reviewers celebrated the massive 6.5-inch Super Retina display that delivered an immersive viewing experience unprecedented in iPhone history. The implementation of dual physical nano-SIM slots demonstrated Apple's understanding of Chinese consumer preferences for carrier flexibility without relying on eSIM technology. Critics praised the A12 Bionic processor's exceptional performance in powering the larger display while maintaining impressive battery efficiency. The advanced camera system's ability to capture stunning images with sophisticated depth control and Smart HDR earned particular recognition from photography enthusiasts. Industry analysts acknowledged this variant's success in appealing to Chinese consumers who valued both cutting-edge technology and practical considerations, solidifying Apple's position in the premium large-screen smartphone market.