Not Just the iPhone 18: Six ‘Pro Max’ Flagships Could Enter a September Showdown With Apple

Apple may face an unusually crowded flagship contest this September, with as many as six smartphones expected to adopt the “Pro Max” name. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 10, while Xiaomi, vivo, OPPO, Huawei, and HONOR are also linked to new models this month.

A list compiled by the Chinese Weibo account Digital Chat Station includes the iPhone 18 Pro Max, Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, vivo X500 Pro Max, OPPO Find X10 Pro Max, HONOR Magic 9 Pro Max, and Mate 90 Pro Max. Whether these phones will appear outside China remains uncertain and will only become clear after their launches.

The spread of the “Pro Max” label among Chinese brands could help manufacturers distinguish flagship products while leaving more room to adjust specifications and prices. The naming also creates a more direct challenge to Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The competition is not limited to branding. Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could introduce a variable-aperture main camera, a major change from Apple’s previous fixed-aperture design. The vivo X500 Pro Max is expected to feature a 50-megapixel main lens with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, a 200-megapixel HP0 telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, along with gimbal-style stabilization covering a three-degree angle.

The OPPO Find X10 Pro Max could become the first phone in the world with three 200-megapixel cameras, according to the report. These camera specifications remain part of the reported and rumored product details surrounding the September launches.