Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Compare Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max side by side: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) vs Apple A20 Pro, 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2815mAh vs 5567mAh…
Apple
iPhone 12 Pro
$999
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 18 Pro Max
$1,299
8categories won
1 categories tied · 13 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. In camera testing, the iPhone 12 Pro leads with sharper imaging, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 Pro if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 18 Pro Max takes battery honors offering 5,567 mAh.
iPhone 18 Pro Max provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A20 Pro and 12GB RAM.
iPhone 12 Pro wins photography with 12MP main imaging and 2x dedicated optical zoom.
iPhone 12 Pro provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $999 vs $1299.
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 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1320 x 2868Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 3000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A20 Pro |
| Process node | 5 nm | — |
| AnTuTu score | 1,120,000 | — |
| Geekbench multi | 4890 | — |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 2TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3Winner | 1 |
| Optical zoom | 2x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | — |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision 10-bit HDR | 4K |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAh | 5,567 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | — |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 189 gWinner | 249 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 8.75 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Surgical-grade stainless steel frame, Ceramic Shield front, textured matte glass back | Aluminum frame, glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14 | iOS 27 |
| OS updates | 6 years | — |
| Security updates | 7 years | — |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | — |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $999Winner | $1,299 |
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro introduced Apple ProRAW photography, a depth-sensing LiDAR scanner for rapid night autofocus, 6GB of system RAM, and a striking Pacific Blue stainless steel frame.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,815mAh
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a $1299 super-sized flagship aimed at power users and mobile gamers. Featuring a massive 6.9-inch OLED display, a huge 5567 mAh battery, and a new variable aperture 48MP camera, it offers peak hardware performance but compromises with a surprisingly heavy 249g aluminum chassis.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Apple A20 Pro
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 5,567mAh
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