Apple’s most expensive iPhone models are the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro Max. The only difference between flagship iPhones in previous years was their screen size and their battery capacity. Apple has decided to reward its biggest iPhone with more “pro grade” features.
This guide will help you select the best iPhone.
What features do they share?
There are many similarities between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max. These are the features you will get no matter which model you choose.
- Both the 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max use Apple’s A14 Bionic chips
- Similar colors and same build designs
- Similar storage options
- The same 12MP and ultra-wide cameras
- 5G connectivity
- ProRAW capabilities
Many of the same improvements are found in the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max models. Apple’s A14 Bionic chip delivers the fastest smartphone performance. These iPhones are also equipped with 5G connectivity which allows you to receive faster data over your cellular connection.
Both iPhones have identical ultra-wide and front-facing 12MP cameras. These sensors are present in every iPhone 12 device and deliver the same quality, regardless of which model you select.
To find the right iPhone camera system for you, read our iPhone camera breakdown.
Only available for Pro models, the Pro models have 128GB of base storage and can be expanded to 512GB.
Pro models have their own color options. These include Gold, Graphite and Pacific Blue. Pro models have a stainless steel band with a frosted-glass back.
They also support Apple’s ProRAW format.
Apple’s ProRAW image format combines iPhone’s image processing and the information from RAW photo files. This new format is easy to use and allows for more detail.
What is the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max phone is larger than its smaller sibling and features some unique characteristics. These are the main differences that can convince you to choose the larger phone.
Display
The screen size is the main difference between these two devices. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR screen, while the 12 Pro Max comes with a larger 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR screen.
Although technically the 12 Pro Max has a higher resolution, it is not visible to the naked eye.
Both displays are compatible with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. They also have 1200 nits peak brightness. The new Apple Ceramic Shield protection provides better scratch protection and drops resistance.
Batteries
The iPhone 12 Pro’s battery has a 2815-milliamp hour battery, while Pro Max’s battery has a 3687-milliamp/hour cell. The larger 12 Pro Max’s footprint means that you will get a longer battery life with the larger phone than the smaller.
The 12 Pro supports continuous video playback for 17 hours, while the 12 Pro Max can support 20 hours.
The larger 12 Pro Max is better if battery life and size are important to you. You should be aware that the bigger size does come with the downside of being heavier, with Apple flattening the sides.
The 12 Pro is a better option if you want a smaller device with a shorter battery life.
Camera
The most noticeable difference between the two phones is their camera. The iPhones come with a triple-camera setup at the back, and an identical selfie camera at the front.
Each iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max have a 12MP, F/1.6 main sensor. The sensor on the 12 Pro Max has a larger sensor, which makes it possible to capture better low-light photos and more detail.
The main sensor of the 12 Pro uses OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), to smoothen videos and reduce jitteriness. The 12 Pro Max, on the other hand, uses sensor-shift to stabilize footage more effectively.
Sensor shift refers to the physical movement of your camera’s sensor inside to stabilize your image. This technology is used in larger DLSR cameras.
Both have a telephoto lens, but the focal lengths are different. Optically, the 12 Pro Max zooms at 2.5x and the 12 Pro Telephoto zooms at 2x. This is a small difference, but worth noting if your focus is portrait photography or any other field that requires the telephoto lens.
The 12 Pro is a great camera for video and photo, but the 12 Pro Max takes better photos.
Which model is right for you?
The iPhone 12 Pro is priced at $999, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max costs $100 more at $1099. Both phones are flagship flagships with premium prices. It comes down to your needs when choosing between the two.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the perfect phone if you want the best Apple phones. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the best display, longest battery life and best camera system. However, this comes at a significant cost. You might not want the largest device.
This is where the 12 Pro regular comes in.
The iPhone 12 Pro regular is a good compromise between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12. The 12 Pro Max has the same premium build, but the 12 Pro Pro Pro Max is smaller and more manageable.
It all comes down to what device best suits your needs. The larger Pro Max will give you the best quality camera experience. If you prefer a smaller phone with most of the same features, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice.
