Apple is selling four different hardware versions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max worldwide, with subtle but meaningful differences in SIM support, 5G connectivity, modem hardware and battery capacity.
iPhone 18 Pro Max regional models and SIM/5G support
The U.S. model, A3473, is eSIM-only and supports both sub-6GHz 5G and faster mmWave networks. A second eSIM-only variant, A3716, is sold in Canada, Japan, Mexico and several Middle Eastern markets but does not include mmWave support. In most other countries, including the UK and the rest of Europe, Apple offers model A3717, which retains a physical nano‑SIM tray alongside eSIM. China receives model A3718 with physical nano‑SIM cards; Apple now allows the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max there to be activated using either eSIM or a physical SIM.
Modem and battery differences
A teardown confirmed that the U.S. A3473 uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem, while every other iPhone 18 Pro Max uses Apple’s C2 modem; the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo use the C2 modem worldwide. Apple has not explained the reason for the U.S. model’s different internal modem. Regulatory filings show that the eSIM-only Pro Max models have a 5,567 mAh battery, compared with 5,391 mAh in models that include a physical SIM tray. That capacity difference corresponds to roughly an extra hour of normal use or about two extra hours of video playback for the larger‑battery eSIM‑only units.
