POCO X5 Pro 5G vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | POCO X5 Pro 5G | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 520,000 | 2,980,000 | -82.6% |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G | Apple A20 | — |
| Display | 6.7" 120 Hz | 6.9" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 5,000 | 4,900 | +2.0% |
| Rear cameras | 108+8+2 MP | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 16 | 24 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 6 GB / 128 GB | 12 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 8 GB / 256 GB | 12 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 181 | 219 | -17.4% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · Side-mounted | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $299–$349 | $1,249–$1,649 | -76.1% |
- iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 83% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 778G vs Apple A20).
- POCO X5 Pro 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: POCO X5 Pro 5G or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
POCO X5 Pro 5G advantages
- Camera resolution (+56%)
- Lightness (+17%)
- Affordability (+76%)
iPhone 18 Pro Max advantages
- Raw performance (+83%)
- Memory (+50%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the POCO X5 Pro 5G if photography is your priority.
- Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the POCO X5 Pro 5G if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
Value for money
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
POCO X5 Pro 5G vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which should you choose?
POCO X5 Pro 5G — POCO Android 12 smartphone (2023) with a 6.67-inch 120 Hz AMOLED, Snapdragon 778G, 5000 mAh battery and 108MP main camera, scoring about 520,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $299.
iPhone 18 Pro Max — Apple iOS 20 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A20, 4900 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,980,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,249.
POCO X5 Pro 5G vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster phone. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 83% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 778G vs Apple A20). POCO X5 Pro 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster device on raw benchmarks (2,980,000 vs 520,000 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A20 against the Snapdragon 778G. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
POCO X5 Pro 5G carries a 6.7-inch 120 Hz AMOLED against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Batteries are 5,000 and 4,900 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 108+8+2 MP versus 48+48+48+LiDAR MP, with 16 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 6 GB / 128 GB and 12 GB / 256 GB. The POCO X5 Pro 5G is the more affordable at about $299 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the POCO X5 Pro 5G better than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 83% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 778G vs Apple A20).
What is the main difference between the POCO X5 Pro 5G and the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 83% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 778G vs Apple A20). POCO X5 Pro 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the POCO X5 Pro 5G if photography is your priority. Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.