Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Compare Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max side by side: Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A17 Pro (3nm), 12MP vs 48MP camera, 3687mAh vs 4441mAh…
Apple
iPhone 12 Pro Max
$1,099
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 15 Pro Max
$1,199
12categories won
6 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. For battery longevity and charging speed, the iPhone 15 Pro Max takes the lead, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 Pro Max if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 15 Pro Max takes battery honors offering 4,441 mAh alongside 27W charging.
iPhone 12 Pro Max leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Apple A14 Bionic and 6GB RAM.
iPhone 15 Pro Max takes photography with 48MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $1099 vs $1199.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.7" |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1290 x 2796Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A17 Pro (3nm) |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 1,640,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800Winner | 7420 |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 8 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 2.5x | 5xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision | 4K at 60fps ProRes Log / Dolby Vision |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,687 mAh | 4,441 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 27 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 228 g | 221 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 8.25 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Ceramic Shield front, textured matte glass back, stainless steel design | Grade 5 Titanium frame with aluminum substructure, Ceramic Shield front, textured matte glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18 | iOS 17 (upgradable to iOS 18 / iOS 19) |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax with 2x2 MIMO, 160MHz channels) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $1,099Winner | $1,199 |
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max revolutionized modern iPhone aesthetics with flat stainless steel sides, Ceramic Shield durability, debut 5G wireless connectivity, and the world’s first sensor-shift camera stabilization system.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 3,687mAh
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max represents a major technological leap for Apple, introducing a lightweight Grade 5 Titanium chassis, the industry first 3nm A17 Pro silicon, 5x tetraprism periscope telephoto lens, and versatile 10Gbps USB-C connectivity.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Apple A17 Pro (3nm)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 4,441mAh
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