Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17

Compare Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 side by side: Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A19, 12MP vs 50MP camera, 3687mAh vs 3650mAh battery, $1099 vs…

Apple

iPhone 17

$799

12categories won

4 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone

Information Gain

Which one wins?

MxMob Algorithmic Verdict

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max takes the overall win

Overall Pick

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max claims the overall win over the Apple iPhone 17, delivering a stronger technical package across gaming and photography. For battery longevity and charging speed, the iPhone 17 takes the lead, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 17 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.

🔋 BatteryiPhone 17

iPhone 17 takes battery honors offering 3,650 mAh alongside 45W charging.

🎮 GamingiPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro Max leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Apple A14 Bionic and 6GB RAM.

📸 CameraiPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro Max wins photography with 12MP main imaging and 2.5x dedicated optical zoom.

🏷️ ValueiPhone 17

iPhone 17 wins on budget and value at $799 compared to $1099.

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 17: specifications compared

Display

Display comparison between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 17
Specification	iPhone 12 Pro Max	iPhone 17
Screen size	6.7"	6.27"
Resolution	1284 x 2778Winner	1179 x 2556
Pixel density	457 ppi	449 ppi
Refresh rate	60 Hz	120 HzWinner
Peak brightness	1200 nits	2500 nitsWinner

Performance

Performance comparison between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 17
Specification	iPhone 12 Pro Max	iPhone 17
Chipset	Apple A14 Bionic	Apple A19
Process node	5 nm	3 nmWinner
AnTuTu score	3,200,000Winner	2,400,000
Geekbench multi	10800Winner	8900
Maximum RAM	6 GB	8 GBWinner
Maximum storage	512GB	512GB

Camera

Camera comparison between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 17
Specification	iPhone 12 Pro Max	iPhone 17
Main sensor	12 MP	50 MPWinner
Rear cameras	3Winner	2
Optical zoom	2.5x	—
Ultrawide	12 MP	12 MP
Selfie camera	12 MP	16 MPWinner
Max video	4K at 60fps Dolby Vision	8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps

Battery and charging

Battery and charging comparison between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 17
Specification	iPhone 12 Pro Max	iPhone 17
Capacity	3,687 mAh	3,650 mAh
Wired charging	20 W	45 WWinner
Wireless charging	15 W	25 WWinner

Design

Design comparison between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 17
Specification	iPhone 12 Pro Max	iPhone 17
Weight	228 g	171 gWinner
Thickness	7.4 mmWinner	7.8 mm
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Build	Ceramic Shield front, textured matte glass back, stainless steel design	Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, color-infused matte glass back

Software and support

Software and support comparison between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 17
Specification	iPhone 12 Pro Max	iPhone 17
Operating system	iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18	iOS 19
OS updates	6 years	7 yearsWinner
Security updates	6 years	7 yearsWinner

Connectivity and value

Connectivity and value comparison between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 17
Specification	iPhone 12 Pro Max	iPhone 17
5G	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth)
Storage expansion	None	None
3.5mm jack	No	No
Launch price	$1,099	$799Winner