Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max side by side: Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A19 Pro, 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2815mAh vs 4823mAh battery, $699 vs…
Apple
iPhone 12
$699
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max
$699
13categories won
4 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. For battery longevity and charging speed, the iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the lead, while the iPhone 12 is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
iPhone 17 Pro Max takes battery honors offering 4,823 mAh alongside 42W charging.
iPhone 12 leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Apple A14 Bionic and 4GB RAM.
iPhone 17 Pro Max takes photography with 48MP optics and 4x optical telephoto capabilities.
Both handsets sit in the exact same pricing bracket around $699.
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 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1320 x 2868Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 458 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 3000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A19 Pro |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 2,400,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800Winner | 8900 |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 2TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3Winner |
| Optical zoom | — | 4x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 18 MPWinner |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAh | 4,823 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 42 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 164 gWinner | 233 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 8.75 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Ceramic Shield front, glass back and aluminum design | Aluminum unibody, Ceramic Shield 2 front |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18 | iOS iOS 26 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 6 years | 6 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $699 | $699 |
Apple iPhone 12
The Apple iPhone 12 upgraded the best-selling base model formula with a stunning Super Retina XDR OLED panel, Ceramic Shield glass, 5G capabilities, and featherlight 164g ergonomics.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,815mAh
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a massive 6.9-inch flagship suited for power users and mobile videographers. With its new A19 Pro 3nm chipset, 12GB of RAM, and a complete triple 48MP camera system, it delivers top-tier performance, though its 233g aluminum build makes it exceptionally heavy.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Apple A19 Pro
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 4,823mAh