7 Cars You Can Buy for the Price of an iPhone 18 Pro MaxMotorBiscuitSaajan JogiaSun, September 20, 2026 at 9:58 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleApple's iPhone 18 Pro Max is one of the company's most expensive smartphones, with U.S. pricing starting at $1,299 for the 256GB model and climbing to $2,499 for the 2TB version. For that kind of money, however, one could also get behind the wheel of an actual car.It is 2026, and the price of a new iPhone can overlap with or even exceed the asking prices of some older used internal-combustion cars. If one can find a well-maintained vehicle, it could potentially remain on the road for many years, offering considerably more longevity than the typical smartphone upgrade cycle.That may sound surprising, but the used-car market has plenty of vehicles selling for less than, or around, the price of Apple's flagship smartphone. Here are seven examples that put the iPhone 18 Pro Max's price into perspective.1.1996 Chevrolet Camaro RS Convertible: $2,200AdvertisementAdvertisementA 1996 Chevrolet Camaro RS convertible listed on Craigslist is priced at $2,200 and has 169,000 miles. The car has a V6, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive and a clean title, with the seller stating that it runs and drives well.That puts the Camaro $301 above the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,899, but $299 below the 2TB model at $2,499.2. 2009 Toyota Camry LE: $1,0007 Cars You Can Buy for the Price of an iPhone 18 Pro MaxA 2009 Toyota Camry LE currently listed on AutoTrader is priced at $1,000 and has around 200,000 miles on the odometer. That makes this used sedan cheaper than even the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max, which starts at $1,299.In other words, one could buy the Camry and still have nearly $300 left over compared with the entry-level Pro Max.3. 2004 BMW X3 3.0i: $1,5007 Cars You Can Buy for the Price of an iPhone 18 Pro MaxIf a car with a luxury badge is what one needs, a 2004 BMW X3 3.0i is listed for $1,500 with approximately 191,000 miles. That is almost exactly the same price as a 512GB iPhone 18 Pro Max, which costs $1,499.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe comparison comes with an obvious caveat: an older BMW can require significantly more maintenance than a new smartphone.4. 2005 BMW 530i: $2,0007 Cars You Can Buy for the Price of an iPhone 18 Pro MaxA 2005 BMW 530i sedan listed at $2,000 has covered roughly 193,000 miles. Its asking price is about $100 more than the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max, which costs $1,899.For buyers prioritizing four wheels over phone storage, the BMW offers a very different proposition for roughly the same amount of money.5. 2005 Honda Accord LX: $2,388A 2005 Honda Accord LX listed on Cars.com is priced at $2,388 and has 270,000 miles on the odometer. That puts the asking price just $111 below the $2,499 cost of the 2TB iPhone 18 Pro Max.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Accord is considerably older than Apple's latest flagship smartphone, and its high mileage means its condition and potential repair costs would need to be carefully considered. Still, the comparison highlights how close the price of a used car can come to that of a high-end smartphone.6. 2002 BMW 325i: $2,5007 Cars You Can Buy for the Price of an iPhone 18 Pro MaxA 2002 BMW 325i listed at $2,500 essentially matches the price of the 2TB iPhone 18 Pro Max. The example has approximately 111,000 miles, making it a particularly striking comparison.7. 1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula: $1,999A 1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula listed on Cars.com is priced at $1,999 and has 152,272 miles. The car is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8, an automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive.The Firebird's $1,999 all-in price is $100 more than the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max, which costs $1,899, and $500 less than the 2TB version at $2,499. However, this particular Firebird is a restoration project with rear-end damage, so the $1,999 price does not represent a ready-to-drive example.AdvertisementAdvertisementOf course, these are used-car asking prices, not guarantees of what each vehicle will ultimately cost to own. Taxes, registration, insurance, fuel, and repairs can add considerably to the purchase price.Still, the comparison shows just how dramatically different the $1,299-$2,499 budget can look depending on whether one is shopping for smartphone storage or a set of wheels.Note on the AutoTrader listings: Since these are live, dynamically changing marketplace listings rather than static published data, prices, mileage, availability, and listing details may change or disappear after publication.