Apple released three new iPhone models in September 2018 and the iPhone XS Max is not only the biggest but also the most expensive of them all. The original price of the phone starts from $1,099 and can go up to $1,449 for higher storage.
The XS Max is considered a record breaker as it features the biggest display on an iPhone, has the most advanced features and processing power, and has the highest price tag ever.
There are a lot of similarities between the iPhone XS and XS Max. They both are powered by A12 Bionic chip – the industry’s first 7nm CPU with 8-core Neural Engine for faster Face ID and advanced camera capabilities like Smart HDR or dynamic depth of field. They have the maximum storage capacity of 512GB, feature the same stainless steel and glass design, notched front display, dual rear camera setup, IP68 water resistant rating, and OLED Super Retina displays.
There are just a few differences, such as the bigger battery on XS Max offering an hour longer than the battery on XS. Another difference is the huge 6.5-inch display on XS Max as compared to 5.8-inch on XS. Besides, although both models feature the Dual SIM Dual Standby technology, the iPhone XS offers a nano-SIM and digital eSIM while a version of the iPhone XS Max can take two nano-SIM cards at the same time. You can find that version in countries where eSIM is not available, such as China.
The iPhone XS Max comes in 4 model numbers, which are A1921, A2101, A2102, and A2104; They differ not only in LTE bands but also in the SIM card architecture. Let’s check out all those differences.
Buy iPhone XS Max Factory-Unlocked on Amazon
iPhone XS Max A1921
| Description | The iPhone XS Max A1921 is the only version available in the United States and it works on both GSM and CDMA networks. This model is also available as a SIM-free factory-unlocked edition at Apple Store. Apart from the US, you can find it in other countries like Canada and Puerto Rico. Although the version supports dual SIM with an eSIM and a nano-SIM card, you should always buy the unlocked version to use two different carriers without any restriction. | |
| Countries & Carriers |
United States
|
Canada
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
|
| Cellular Bands |
|
|
| Part Numbers |
United States – Unlocked SIM-free
United States – AT&T
United States – T-Mobile
|
United States – Verizon
United States – Sprint
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iPhone XS Max A2101
| Description | The A2101 is the global version widely available in most countries in Europe and Asia. You can buy it in the United Kingdom, Spain, Russia, Italy, France, Singapore, Taiwan, etc. This model doesn’t support CDMA networks. It supports dual-SIM cards (1 eSIM and 1 nano-SIM card). | |
| Countries & Carriers |
Andorra Armenia Australia
Austria Bahrain Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany
Greece Greenland Hungary Iceland India
Ireland Isle of Man Italy
Jersey Kazakhstan Kuwait Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Mexico
|
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway Oman Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia
Saudi Arabia Singapore
Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain
Sweden Switzerland Taiwan United Arab Emirates United Kingdom
|
| Cellular Bands |
|
|
| Part Numbers |
United Kingdom
|
Vietnam
|
iPhone XS Max A2102
| Description | The iPhone XS Max A2102 is built exclusively for the Japanese market. What makes it different are some exclusive bands used by carriers in Japan, for instance, band 11 for au and SoftBank, band 21 for Docomo, and band 42 that all those carriers are using. It supports dual-SIM cards (1 eSIM and 1 nano-SIM card).
Besides, if you plan to buy this version, notice that it always make a shutter sound when taking photos even when you mute the phone. This law is to discourage covert photography and ensure privacy. |
| Countries & Carriers |
Japan
|
| Cellular Bands |
|
| Part Numbers |
Japan
|
iPhone XS Max A2104
| Description | The XS Max A2104 is the model released in China and Hong Kong. This is the only version that allows inserting two physical nano-SIM cards to the same SIM card tray. |
| Countries & Carriers |
China
Hong Kong
|
| Cellular Bands |
|
| Part Numbers |
China
Hong Kong
|
If you have any question regarding the iPhone XS Max model numbers, just leave a comment below.
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Yuri Miro says
Any idea whether iPhone XS Max A2104, purchased in HK would work on the UK networks? I’d prefer to use dual nano-SIM tray, rather than getting stuck with an eSIM (especially since not all UK networks support eSIM functionality). Thanks
Tuan Do says
Yes, it works perfectly in the UK. It has more bands and has dual SIM cards. That’s why I prefer the A2104 to the A1921 in the US.
Maddy2810 says
Will the same stand true for using in india?
Tuan Do says
Yes, same for India.
Adrian says
Will it work in the Philippines?
Darlene Olvidado says
How about this iphone xs max model does mt5f2ll/a?it was bought in the states unlocked but the e-sim can’t be recognized when we are trying to activate it. We tried to replace the Nano sim to e-sim but y u e phone can’t recognize the e-sim and can’t add the network provider. Please help.
Ashley says
Any ideas whether iphone xs max is purchased in the USA will work on the Philippine network? Thanks
Haider says
It is really Simple to judge. In USA So for is only Country where all big carriers are supporting eSim. All other Countries of World eSim Support is not launched by all carriers. US Model of Unlocked iPhone supports One Physical Nano Sim So it can be used in all over the world. with Only Nano Sim
Fallai says
J’ai acheté un iphone xs max model A2104 de cartes Sim est ce que sa peux marcher en côte d’Ivoire
Kanak Deshmukh says
And A2104 purchased in hongkong will it get warranty is covered in India
UJWAL says
Will Model A2104 purchased in China can be used in Nepal ?
Adrian says
JUst buy a basic European IPhone XS max and go to Vodafone Germany. The will put the esim into your phone in 5 minutes…..they did it for me even free of charge
I guess it is a big shame for Vodafone not to offer this in other European countries
Success
Adrian
Andrew says
Which US carriers Does A2104 work with?
Paul Fagan says
Will a US unlocked iPhone XS Max model A1921 (GSM) purchaed in the US work as well in the UK and Ireland? Are there any bands missing from the US phone that are offered by the unlocked iPhone XS Max A2101 (GSM) model sold in the UK and Ireland and if so, do the missing bands affect the working of the US model A1921 (GSM)? Are there any other differences between the US XS Max phone model A1921 and XS Max A2101 that might affect the US phone working well in the UK and Ireland?
Tuan Do says
The UK version covers the least number of bands, so any other model is better than that. There is no missing band when you use the A1921 in the UK, so you should totally be fine.
Mahmoud says
Hi,
Well iphone max model A2104 works in egypt with the two physical sims?
Adnan says
Is there any difference in eSIM compatibility between A1921 & A2101 ?
Mohamed says
Is model iPhone XS Max A2104 is covering all frequencies in Saudi Arabia?
Tuan Do says
It doesn’t have band 28 for STC.
Faisalq says
What do u mean? Does it work or not?
Abhi Sharma says
iphone xs max in hongkong are unlocked?
warranty will be valid in india or not??
Tuan Do says
Yes, you can buy the unlocked version at Apple Store. Apple may restrict warranty service to Hong Kong but somehow I had no problem when servicing my phone at Apple’s authorized service centers in other countries.
fawaz says
sir are you sure about warranty services and physical dual sim workings well in india networks with out any issues …automatically connects …
JL Roberts says
So if I buy the A2104 for use in the US now, out of the box do you think it will support both AT&T and Verizon using their Sim cards??
I know that’s supposed to work at some point in time. I just don’t like the eSim concept.
Tuan Do says
Sure, you can. The A2104 is compatible with both AT&T and Verizon networks.
Louis says
So A2104 will work with any carrier inUS? So pretty much unlocked?
Ali says
I bought XS Max A2104 in Pakistan and it works perfect in my country with all carriers and support 2 sims at same time.
Zafar says
AoA, Ali kindly clear 1 thing, face time and wifi working is well? Any problem
Sinal says
I’m from Cambodia I bought Xs Max 2Sim first 2 week I can use as normally. After I update to version 12.0.1 my phone start have problem on cellular network both sim. Phone call and LTE always drop no one can call me. Sometimes I can use as normally but only 2-5minutes. I already reser network setting and also erase all content and setting and still the same problem. (Sorry for my bad English).
Mobin Abbasi says
where did you buy it from ? kindly advice
Vasim Quraishy says
1-iPhone XS Max A2104 – Will this work in UAE/Saudi Arabia and India ?
2- Are both SIMs GSM ?
Plz reply . Thanks ,,,
Tuan Do says
1. Yes, but you don’t have the band 28 used by STC in Saudi Arabia.
2. Yes, 2 GSM SIM cards work well
Vasim Quraishy says
Thanks Tuan for the reply,
But what does it mean for me in terms of usage ? will it work 90% or something like that or occasionally lose signal ? Shall I buy or not as I sue STC SIM. Plz advise.
Devam says
If an iPhone Xs max is purchased from the Apple store of U.S (factory unlocked), then will the phone be able to work with an Indian telecom operator i.e Reliance Jio in my case. Also, Reliance Jio is one of the carriers supporting e-sim technology in India.
The band difference between a U.S model and an Indian Model iPhone is Band No.28. U.S model does not have Carrier band number 28, whereas the Indian MODEL has band number 28.
So, will the Model Number A1921(U.S purchase iPhone) work in India ?
Please please please answer this query…
Tuan Do says
India doesn’t use band 28, so you’re not affected.
Neiveen Essam says
Same here but not in india in egypt
Shivaram. says
Hi,
I have a same question. I have purchased iPhone X’s Max in Canada with Model No A1921 which is factory unlocked one. My question is will it work in India well with eSIM card as well? Please clarify.
Merjuste says
Cette iphone est toujours vèrrouillé donne nous gmail et le passward
AAKKK says
Some rumours said a Xs Max bought in Hong Kong and if use in Australia, it will not get 4G and will only be on 3G. If that true or false??
Nitty says
According this info on AUS 4G/LTE bands, the only band the at A2104 doesn’t have is Band 28. So if you are any of AUS other bands/networks, you should be fine to get full 4G support
4G/LTE bands
Australia is currently using these LTE bands
2100Mhz (B1) – Telstra (a handful of sites), Optus (Tasmania), Vodafone
1800Mhz (B3) – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
850Mhz (B5) – Vodafone
2600Mhz (B7) – Telstra, Optus
900Mhz (B8) – Telstra (a handful of sites, utilises spectrum previously used by 2G)
700Mhz (B28) – Telstra, Optus
2300Mhz (B40) – Optus (Vivid Wireless spectrum)
Zed says
you can order the Hong Kong version with Telstra
Mohsen says
If I purchased a model A2101 does it work in US? At&t, verizon, and T-mobile network?
Micke says
Is Japanese iPhone XS Max A2102 working in Europe?
akanji says
Thanks for the good review. Will the A2104 with dual SIM card work well in Nigeria where I live?
Michael Sam says
Can someone answer this question….. Can the A2104 work in Ghana
Elias says
I’m going to NYC in October… Where I can find iPhone 2101 model? Thanks!
Zuohan says
Is it possible to just buy a sim tray of the A2104 model and insert it into another model, say A2102?
Paul says
Nope. It does not have the same circuitry as the A2104. The tray may fit but the second sim will not connect to anything. Might even damage the telephone.
Maciej says
iPhone XS Max A2104 china / dual sim – Will this work in POLAND ?
Which networks are not supported ?
Thank you
Tobin says
Buy the A2104 in Hong Kong, avoiding to get one in China. The differences are the FaceTime calling and VoWiFi function. The Chinese A2104 version locked these two items.
Nik-the-Greek says
Wrong. I have bought the Chinese version A2104,and FaceTime works perfectly worldwide.
MOHAMED HEDIA says
Bonjour
Es que vous avez essayé en Europe et plus exactement en France et avec quel opérateur merci
Drian says
Can someone verify this? I’m in the middle of buying the 512GB A2104 but don’t know if the China version has limited functions
Faris Bader says
Hello
If I bought the A2101 or A1921, will it work on Zain in Jordan?
Dan Sebollena says
I live in California. How can I buy or order A2104.
Paul says
I bought mine via an electronics dealer in Singapore. I tried and tried to get one from Hong Kong but they raised the price significantly so I lost interest. I found the phone (Hong Kong model) and it was delivered in the same week. Had to pay just a bit over US price but well worth it.
leo says
Ebay, or have ur friend buys in China and bring over here.
Stig says
Regarding A2104, what countries will it not be working, or be optimal in? This does look like the best option for me as I need physical som for both Norway and Sri Lanka.
Kylie says
I am in Kuala Lumpur looking at purchasing iPhone X’s 512mb. The box says A2104. Will this work in Australia.
Thankyou
Kylie
Muhammad Mujeeb Ahsan says
Do an Apple Store in the UK sells an iPhone 2104 ? Besides , if they does , can it be carried to Pakistan?
Maikel says
Urgent request please —-
If i bought an iphone Xs Max from US, factory unlocked does it work with German network supporting eSIM? or i sould buy it from Germany
Abhisheksharma says
Iphone xs max 1921 is dual 4g volte?
Emin says
If i buy american version of xs max 64 gb, will it have 1 year warranty in turkey? We received two different answers from apple stores in turkey. One of them said ” no , it won’t have warranty, only europe model will have it” and other one said all of the models have 1 year international warranty including turkey.
Oussama says
Hi, please can you tell me if the Model A2101 works in Morocco?
H says
Which bands are supported in KSA STC network?
The most compatible iPhone for Saudi region will be apart from A2101 model?
Arun says
I am also waiting for answer to your question. Did u get any information?
kemtepnimith says
I’m using my iPhone X’s max A2104 HongKong version. But when I compared it with my friend (he uses the LL model) why the weight of my phone is lighter than his phone? Is it causing any problem? My phone is dual sim he’s phone is E sim
Adam says
America made the best ones for him self
Moohmed says
Can I use CDMA? Can I use two slides, one CDMA and the other Gsm?
I am from yemen and we have cdma , gsm
Does the phone work with both systems?
Joan says
I’m a little bit worried. My uncle bought an A1921 AT&T USA, but he doesn’t live in United States. The people at the Apple Store told him that is possible to use it in South America, because that phone is already unlocked… Is he wrong or Right? Is it possible to use it in Colombia? Or should he change it for a sim free phone?
Paul says
I have used A2104 in South America with no issues. My guess is the unlocked A1921 will work just fine. I used mine in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Arun says
How is xs max model MT532AH/A. Does it cover all bands and features or should i look for another model?
Scott says
Will A2104 version support Tmobile USA wifi calling feature?
Random says
If I buy an iPhone Xs max from the Apple store from Canada as a gift to my fiance in the Philippines will she be able to use it there ?
Ace_Pack says
If I buy an Iphone Xs and a Series 4 (GPS+Cell) from the US. Will I be able to use it in the Uk?
Vivi Chell says
If I bought a Model 1921 from Verizon (CDMA network), can the phone be later switched to an all GSM network like AT&T and both the eSIM and the physical SIM be configured to work on AT&T?
MoHaMeD A-BaKrY says
Is the model A2104 is avilable to buy in the us
And does the bith sim cards can work in egypt
Does this model also support esim in case the carrier have provided the service
Ion Ruscu says
Hi,
I live in Ireland, Europe and want to buy an Iphone XS Max model A2104 (This is the only version that allows inserting two physical nano-SIM cards into the same SIM card tray)
I also want to know if this Iphone model accepts most of the bands in Europe?, can you tell me what is the Euro price for this Iphone model (A2104)?
I’m waiting for an answer
Regards,
Ion Ruscu
Volt says
Will an iPhone XS Max Model A2104 bought in Hong Kong be compatible with Philippine networks (Smart & Globe)?
AntoineMo87 says
Do the models A1921, A2102 and A2101 work on french and european countries, in addition to the model A2101 ?
Christopher Jenkins says
Hello, I plan to buy a iPhone XS when I am back in Canada next week. Will it work perfectly in Spain with the Movistar provider. Will LTE work on Movistar in Spain? I have read that there are different models sold in different parts of the world and that people should be wary about importing/using models from other countries.
Ferda says
iPhone XS Max Model A2104, aldık 20 gün önce ekranı çizildi
Servis bulamıyorum bu tel yaptırmak için
Bu konuda bilgisi olan varsa yazabilirmi