Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro, while the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite; launch prices were $1299 and $1376. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads — 80/100 vs 75/100 (a 5-point difference). Key differences: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro has the bigger battery (5800 mAh vs 5567); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,551,073 vs 3,290,813); the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is noticeably lighter (227g vs 249g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3551073 vs 3290813
- Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 3211
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 10106
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Cheaper at launch: $1299 vs $1376
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 93/100)
- Better camera (71/100 vs 56/100)
What makes ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro better?
- Bigger battery: 5800 vs 5567 mAh
- Faster charging: 65W vs 60W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 120Hz
- Lighter: 227g vs 249g
- Better display (89/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (33/100 vs 27/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 5 points higher (80/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (71/100 vs 56/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 70/100, ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro — 60/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro are nearly equal (97/100 vs 93/100). In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro (71/100 vs 56/100). In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 67/100. In the "portability" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a bit better (33/100 vs 27/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | |
| AnTuTu | 3551073 | 3290813 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4612 | 3211 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 11819 | 10106 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1320x2868 | 2400x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 185 Hz | |
| Battery | 5567 mAh | 5800 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 65W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 13 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 32 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 16GB / 24GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 27 | Android 15 / ROG UI | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 2500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | 163.8×76.8×8.9 mm | |
| Weight | 249 g | 227 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $1376 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.48
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Telephoto: 32MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1320x2868
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5567 mAh
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
- 5800 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro by 7.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $77. Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max was $77 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro are nearly equal (97/100 vs 93/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro (71/100 vs 56/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 67/100.
portability
In the "portability" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a bit better (33/100 vs 27/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max edges out the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro by just 5 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 80/100, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (71/100 vs 56/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max over the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a better fit for gamers and power users.