Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Specs, Camera & Battery
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Here, we compare two flagship smartphones: the 6.9-inch Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (with Apple A19 Pro), which was released on September 9, 2025, and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is powered by Apple A14 Bionic and came out five years before. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each device.
Price Difference
| Model | US Price (base variant) |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $1,199 (USD) (Apple) |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | $1,099 (USD) @ launch for 128 GB variant (AppleInsider) |
Key Differences
An overview of the main advantages of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max over its competitor
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max Advantage | Small Description |
|---|---|---|
| Display refresh rate | 120 Hz | Smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience compared to 60 Hz screens. |
| Performance (AnTuTu Benchmark) | 80% faster (2094K vs 1162K) | Delivers much higher raw performance for multitasking, apps, and gaming. |
| Battery capacity | 5088 mAh (1401 mAh larger) | Lasts longer on a single charge, ideal for heavy users. |
| RAM | 12 GB (2x more than 6 GB) | Better multitasking and future-proof performance. |
| USB port | USB Type-C | Faster data transfer and universal charging compared to Lightning or older USB types. |
| Bluetooth | v6.0 (newer) | More stable connections, higher efficiency, and lower latency with wireless accessories. |
| Rear camera zoom | 4x optical zoom | Capture clearer, detailed shots from a distance. |
| Wi-Fi support | Wi-Fi 7 | Faster and more reliable wireless connectivity for future networks. |
| Charging speed | 40W fast charging (vs 20W) | Charges nearly twice as fast, saving time. |
Tests and specifications
Comparison table of technical specifications and tests
Display
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | OLED | OLED | Both use OLED panels for vivid colors. |
| Size | 6.9 inches | 6.7 inches | Newer model has a slightly bigger screen. |
| Resolution | 1320 × 2868 px | 1284 × 2778 px | Both offer sharp high-res displays. |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz (adaptive 1–120 Hz) | 60 Hz | 17 Pro Max is smoother for scrolling/gaming. |
| Brightness (max) | 3000 nits | 800 nits | Huge jump in brightness for outdoor use. |
| HDR | Dolby Vision (HDR up to 1600 nits) | Dolby Vision | Strong HDR support on both. |
| Screen-to-body | 91.6% | 87.7% | Thinner bezels on 17 Pro Max. |
Design & Build
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | Slightly taller & thicker on 17 Pro Max. |
| Weight | 233 g | 226 g | Both are heavy premium phones. |
| Waterproofing | IP68 | IP68 | Same dust/water resistance. |
| Frame / Back | Metal + Glass | Metal + Glass | Premium build for both. |
| Colors | Silver, Blue, Orange | Silver, Gold, Gray, Blue | More modern color options in 17 Pro Max. |
| Cooling | Vapor chamber | None | Better sustained performance on newer model. |
Performance
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A19 Pro (3nm) | A14 Bionic (5nm) | Newer, faster & more efficient chip. |
| CPU | 6-core, up to 4.26 GHz | 6-core, up to 3.1 GHz | Higher clock speeds. |
| GPU | Apple A19 Pro GPU, 768 units | Apple A14 GPU, 256 units | ~4× more powerful graphics. |
| Geekbench (Single/Multi) | 3895 / 9746 | 1976 / 5114 | ~2× faster overall. |
| AnTuTu 10 | 2,094,047 | 1,162,689 | +80% performance leap. |
Memory & Storage – Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X, quad-channel) | 6 GB (LPDDR4X, dual-channel) | Double the RAM, faster type. |
| Storage | 256 GB NVMe | 128 GB NVMe | Higher base storage. |
| Memory card | No | No | Apple never included expandable storage. |
Cameras
Main Camera – Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | Quad: 48 MP + 48 MP Tele + 48 MP Ultra + Depth | Triple: 12 MP + 12 MP Tele + 12 MP Ultra + Depth | Huge sensor upgrade. |
| Zoom | 4× optical | 2.5× optical | Better telephoto range. |
| Video | 4K up to 120 FPS | 4K up to 60 FPS | Smoother high-fps 4K recording. |
| Stabilization | Optical | Optical | Both stable for video/photos. |
Selfie Camera – Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 18 MP | 12 MP | Higher megapixels, sharper selfies. |
| Aperture | f/1.9 | f/2.2 | Better low-light selfies on 17 Pro Max. |
| Video | 4K 60 FPS | 4K 60 FPS | Same resolution, newer one has OIS. |
Battery & Charging – Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5088 mAh | 3687 mAh | ~38% bigger battery. |
| Wired charging | 40 W | 20 W | 2× faster charging. |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 7.5 W | Big boost in wireless speed. |
| Reverse charging | Yes | No | Can charge other devices. |
Connectivity – Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 | Next-gen speeds & stability. |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 5.0 | Newer standard, lower latency. |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 (DP, OTG) | Lightning | Modern, universal connector. |
| 5G | Yes | Yes | Both support 5G. |
| NFC | Yes | Yes | For Apple Pay and more. |
Other & Pricing – Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | Sept 2025 | Oct 2020 | 5 years apart. |
| Launch price | $1199 | $1100 | Slight increase for newer model. |
| Category | Flagship | Flagship | Both top-tier in their time. |
| Sensors | Standard Apple set + Face ID | Standard Apple set + Face ID | Nearly identical sensor suite. |
| Charger in box | No | Yes | Apple stopped bundling chargers. |
FAQs – Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Q1. What are the biggest upgrades in the iPhone 17 Pro Max over the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max brings a 120 Hz OLED display, 2× performance boost with the A19 Pro chip, double RAM (12 GB), a 5088 mAh battery with 40 W charging, USB-C, Wi-Fi 7, and a 48 MP triple camera system with 4× zoom.
Q2. Does the iPhone 17 Pro Max have better battery life than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Yes. With a larger 5088 mAh battery (vs 3687 mAh), faster charging, and a more efficient chip, the 17 Pro Max lasts significantly longer.
Q3. Is the display on the iPhone 17 Pro Max better?
Yes. It features a brighter 3000 nits OLED screen with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, compared to the 12 Pro Max’s 60 Hz and 800 nits brightness.
Q4. Do both models support 5G?
Yes, both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro Max are 5G-enabled.
Q5. Which model is better for photography?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max clearly leads with three 48 MP lenses (standard, telephoto, ultrawide) and 4× optical zoom. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has three 12 MP lenses with 2.5× optical zoom.
Q6. What charging options do they support?
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 40 W wired, 25 W wireless, and reverse wireless charging.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: 20 W wired, 7.5 W wireless, no reverse charging.
Q7. Do both phones support Face ID?
Yes, both use Apple’s Face ID facial recognition system.
Q8. Does the iPhone 17 Pro Max use USB-C?
Yes, it has a USB Type-C (3.2) port with DisplayPort and OTG support. The iPhone 12 Pro Max still uses Lightning.
Q9. Are they both waterproof?
Yes, both carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Q10. How much do they cost?
- iPhone 17 Pro Max launch price: $1199
- iPhone 12 Pro Max launch price: $1100 (but now available much cheaper on resale/used market).
