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Updated January 10, 2024·
Given that the iPhone 12 is often significantly less expensive than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, if you're looking to save money and still get a reliable device, the iPhone 12 might be the right choice for you. However, if camera quality is paramount, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers advanced photography capabilities. For users who prioritize battery life, the iPhone 15 Pro Max tends to have a longer-lasting battery. If a larger screen is important, the iPhone 15 Pro Max also provides a more immersive viewing experience with a bigger display. Additionally, you'll need to consider that the two phones have different operating systems. Choose the iPhone 12 for a balance between cost and quality, or the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you're willing to invest in top-tier features. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- The Apple iPhone 12 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Best in class for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
10.0
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has best in class overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers a higher level of camera performance with its top-tier photos software experience and dynamic range, both of which render more detail in various lighting conditions. In addition, the iPhone 15 Pro Max significantly outperforms the iPhone 12 in low light photography and selfie quality, providing users with sharper and more vibrant images even in challenging environments.
Photo Quality
7.1
10.0
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class photos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 captures good selfie photos, however, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max elevates the selfie experience significantly, achieving the best results, making it more suitable for you if selfie quality is a top priority. Additionally, while both phones offer high-resolution photos and a proficient software experience, the iPhone 15 Pro Max provides better low light performance and camera versatility, which could be decisive factors if you're looking for more advanced photography capabilities.
Video Quality
7.2
10.0
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers superior video quality over the iPhone 12 due to advancements in video resolution and frame rates, more sophisticated video software, better video stabilization, enhanced dynamic range, improved performance in low-light conditions, and higher microphone quality. While the iPhone 12 offers good video capabilities, the iPhone 15 Pro Max's improvements make it the better choice for the highest quality video recordings.
Battery
6.2 Hours
9.8 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has 9.8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$600
$1,199
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $1,199.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $1,199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Apple | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | iOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | September 22, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2796 x 1290 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 460 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | A17 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 10/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 9.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4441 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 6.3" x 3.02" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 7.80 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Custom ROM Support | |||
Custom ROM Support | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful flagship phone that delivers upgrade-worthy features, including a lighter and more compact titanium design, a bigger 5x zoom and a useful Action button. The A17 Pro chip is the fastest around and enables console-quality gameplay, while the battery lasts an epic 14 hours."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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