Apple iPhone XS Max
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until September 2027 · Buy-by September 2025
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~8-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone XS Max should be supported until around September 2027. Buying it today still gets you about 1.2 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
103% above the under-$300 median ($6.74/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
The big-screen 2018 flagship that quietly became one of the longest-supported iPhones ever.
Pros
- Still on iOS 18 in 2026, so it keeps getting current security fixes
- Large 6.5-inch OLED remains excellent for video and reading
- A12 Bionic stays smooth for everyday apps and light gaming
Cons
- No 5G and only Lightning charging
- Aging battery on used units often needs replacement
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.5-inch OLED (Super Retina HD), 2688x1242, 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB / 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP |
| telephoto 2x | 12MP |
| front | 7MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,174 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (USB-PD via Lightning), Qi wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 157.5 × 77.4 × 7.7 mm |
| Weight | 208 g |
| Materials | Surgical-grade stainless steel frame, glass front and back |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 12 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Lightning |
| Update policy | ~7 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the iPhone XS Max get updates?
It runs iOS 18 and is still receiving Apple security updates in 2026. Apple publishes no formal policy, but based on its track record expect security patches into roughly 2027, making it one of Apple's longest-supported phones.
Does the iPhone XS Max support 5G?
No. It is a 4G LTE-only device. If 5G matters to you, look at the iPhone 12 or newer.
Is the iPhone XS Max still worth buying used in 2026?
Yes for budget buyers who want a large OLED screen and ongoing security updates, provided you check or replace the battery, since most units are several years old.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.