Repair parts iPhone XS Max
Receive it on tomorrow friday 30 october
The Apple iPhone XS Max launched in 2018 with a 6.5-inch OLED screen, 12 MP dual camera and Lightning connector. The components for this model share many similarities with those of the iPhone XS and iPhone 11 Pro Max, although several are not compatible with one another. In this category, you’ll find XS Max parts organised by component, so it’s worth checking a few details before choosing: the model code, which functions depend on the original part, and which components are shared with the XS or X.
The iPhone XS Max has five model codes: A1921, A2101, A2102, A2103 and A2104
Apple assigns the iPhone XS Max the model numbers A1921, A2101, A2102 (Japan), A2103 and A2104 (mainland China). To check yours, go to Settings > General > About and tap the model number: the code starting with M or N will switch to the A-format. If your code is A1920, A2097, A2098, A2099 or A2100, you have a 5.8-inch iPhone XS, and its screen, battery and rear glass are not compatible with the XS Max.
The most costly mix-up is with the iPhone 11 Pro Max. It has the same screen size and resolution of 2688 x 1242 pixels, but the screen cables are different, so the iPhone 11 Pro Max screen is not compatible with the XS Max, nor is the XS Max screen compatible with the 11 Pro Max. The XS Max board also has the screen connector in a different position from the XS.
On the iPhone XS Max, True Tone and Face ID depend on what you transfer from the old screen
Out of the box, the XS Max has a 6.5-inch OLED panel with 458 ppi, True Tone, HDR and 3D Touch. Two functions depend not on the quality you buy, but on how the repair is carried out:
- True Tone is disabled when the screen is replaced, even if the new panel is original. It can only be restored if the repair shop copies the old panel’s data to the new one using a programmer.
- Face ID relies on the earpiece and sensor assembly attached to the back of the screen, which includes the infrared illuminator and is paired with the board. Replacement screens do not include this assembly: the original must be transferred, and if it is damaged, only Apple can restore Face ID.
One advantage over the iPhone 11 and later models is that iOS does not display a non-genuine screen warning on the XS Max. The listing includes two quality options:
- The complete OLED screen for iPhone XS Max uses the same technology as the factory-fitted panel. It’s the premium option if deep blacks, contrast and the overall thickness of the assembly matter to you.
- The complete compatible screen in Premium quality is the more affordable option. Before buying, check the product details to see which panel technology it uses and whether it includes 3D Touch.
The iPhone XS Max’s 3174 mAh battery consists of two cells secured with removable adhesive
The original XS Max battery has a capacity of 3174 mAh at 3.80 V (12.08 Wh). Unlike the XS, which has a single cell, this battery consists of two cells, so the XS battery cannot be used as a replacement. It is attached to the chassis with adhesive strips that peel away when pulled, rather than rigid glue.
The XS Max was one of the first iPhones, alongside the XS and XR, to display a battery replacement warning. If the replacement is not carried out by Apple or an authorised service provider, Settings indicates that the battery cannot be verified as a genuine Apple battery and stops showing the battery health percentage. The message appears even if the battery is genuine Apple, as iOS checks who installed it. The phone continues to work normally. The 3174 mAh battery for iPhone XS Max has the same capacity as the original.
Apple bonded the iPhone XS Max’s rear glass to the steel frame
On the XS Max, the rear glass cannot be removed separately: it is bonded to the stainless-steel frame. To replace just the glass, repair shops remove the fragments with a laser machine and fit the new glass with adhesive. The other option is to transfer all the components to a new chassis. The Qi wireless charging coil sits behind the glass, so this job is better suited to a repair shop with the right equipment than to a DIY repair.
The OEM rear glass for iPhone XS Max is available in White, Gold and Black. The model’s original finishes were silver, gold and space grey, so choose the colour that best matches your phone’s frame.
Lightning port, camera and connectors: what the iPhone XS Max shares with the XS and X
The charging port for iPhone XS Max is a flex cable made specifically for this model. Along with the Lightning connector, it includes one of the microphones. It is available in White, Gold and Black, matching the colour of the bottom edge. After the repair, you can use the Lightning 8-pin to USB cable to check charging.
The dual rear camera is identical on the XS and XS Max, so the original rear camera for iPhone XS fits this model. However, the XS Max antenna FPC connector is specific to this board. The touchscreen FPC connector for X, XS and XS Max is shared by all three. Both are soldered to the main board, so they are intended for repair shops with microsoldering equipment.
The bottom screws for iPhone X to 14 Pro Max are the two screws positioned next to the port. They are available in White and Black.
iOS warnings, Face ID and iPhone XS Max compatibility
Why does “unknown part” appear for the battery after replacing it?
On the XS Max, iOS only considers the battery verified if it is installed by Apple or an authorised service provider. With any other replacement, even if the battery is original, you’ll see the warning and the battery health status will not be displayed. This does not affect the phone’s use.
Can I install an iPhone 11 Pro Max screen in an XS Max?
No. Although they have the same screen size and resolution, the screen cables are different and will not fit the XS Max board. Always choose a screen designed for the XS Max.
Will Face ID stop working if I replace the screen?
No, as long as you transfer the earpiece and sensor assembly from the old panel without damaging it. This assembly is paired with the board: if it breaks, Face ID will stop working and only Apple can restore it.
My iPhone shows A2103, but I don’t see it on some lists. Is it an XS Max?
Yes. Apple lists A2103 among the official iPhone XS Max codes, alongside A1921, A2101, A2102 and A2104. Some parts manufacturers do not mention it, but it is the same model.
