Introduction
With the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple’s 2020 lineup finally comes full circle. It’s the largest, heaviest, and most feature-packed iPhone the company has ever built — and that alone makes it one of the most talked-about phones in the world.
The 12 Pro Max stands apart from the rest of the iPhone 12 family with an upgraded triple-camera setup on the back. Even users who aren’t fans of big phones might be tempted by its pro-level features. This model isn’t just about size — it’s about giving you everything Apple could possibly pack into one device.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max flaunts the toughest design Apple has ever made, powered by the blazing-fast A14 Bionic chip with 5G support. It brings along a next-gen camera with LiDAR scanning, loud stereo speakers, a large battery, and MagSafe wireless charging.
Sure, it would have been even better with a 120Hz display, but Apple decided to hold that back this year. So, for now, even the most premium iPhone tops out at 60Hz.
Before diving into its performance, let’s quickly check out what the iPhone 12 Pro Max brings to the table.
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Specifications
- Body: Stainless-steel frame, Ceramic Shield front, frosted glass back, IP68-rated. Colors: Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue. Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm; Weight: 228g.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED (1284×2778 px, 458ppi), HDR10, Dolby Vision, True Tone, up to 800 nits brightness.
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) with Hexa-core CPU, Apple GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
- Memory: 6GB RAM; 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage.
- Rear Cameras: Triple 12MP system:
- Main: 26mm, f/1.6, 1.7µm pixels, sensor-shift stabilization, Dual Pixel AF.
- Ultrawide: 13mm, f/2.4, 120° FoV.
- Telephoto: 65mm, f/2.2, 2.5x optical zoom, OIS.
- Night Mode, Smart HDR 3, Deep Fusion, Dual-LED flash.
- Front Camera: 12MP f/2.2 + 3D TOF sensor, Night Mode, Smart HDR 3, 4K video at 60fps.
- Video: 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, Dolby Vision HDR recording.
- Connectivity: Dual SIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, U1 Ultra-Wideband chip.
- Battery: 3,687mAh, 20W fast charging, 15W MagSafe wireless charging.
- Other Features: Face ID, stereo speakers, Taptic Engine.
Design and Build
Say hello to Apple’s biggest iPhone ever. Despite its size and 228g weight, the iPhone 12 Pro Max doesn’t feel bulky, thanks to its slim 7.4mm frame and sharp, flat-edged design. It’s a modern nod to the iconic iPhone 5 look, but sleeker and far more premium.
Built with a stainless-steel frame, Ceramic Shield glass on the front, and frosted Gorilla Glass on the back, this phone feels every bit as luxurious as it looks. It’s also tough — IP68-rated for dust resistance and water resistance up to 6 meters deep.
The phone’s size might be intimidating at first, but you’ll likely get used to it after a short while. Still, it’s worth trying it out in-store before committing to this “Max” size.
Display: The Largest OLED on an iPhone
The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a stunning 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display — the largest ever on an iPhone. It delivers crisp detail (458ppi), vivid colors, and HDR10 + Dolby Vision support for incredible contrast. The new Ceramic Shield makes it more durable, but unfortunately, there’s still no high refresh rate here.
Battery Life
Powering this beast is a 3,687mAh battery — slightly smaller than the 11 Pro Max’s, but still impressive.
In real-world use, it lasts over 14 hours of web browsing, more than 15 hours of video playback, and up to 21 hours of talk time. Overall, it scores an excellent 95-hour endurance rating — just a bit lower than last year’s model but still the best in the 12-series lineup.
Charging is fast (20W wired and 15W wireless with MagSafe), but you’ll have to buy the charger separately, as Apple no longer includes one in the box.
Camera: Pro-Level Hardware with Sensor-Shift Magic
Apple saved its best camera tech for the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The main 12MP sensor is 47% larger than before, with bigger pixels (1.7µm) for improved low-light performance. It also debuts sensor-shift image stabilization, a first for smartphones, where the sensor itself moves to counter hand shakes — similar to DSLR stabilization systems.
This allows for up to 5,000 micro-adjustments per second, resulting in sharper photos and steadier videos. The telephoto lens also gets an upgrade with a longer 65mm focal length for 2.5x optical zoom.
Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro Max captures stunning images — crisp, detailed, and well-balanced in any light.
Alternatives
Apple now offers three clear size options:
- iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 for compact flagship lovers.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max for those who want the biggest and best.
If the Pro Max feels too large, the iPhone 12 Pro offers nearly identical performance and camera quality in a smaller form factor. For most users, the difference in everyday photography is minimal.
Verdict
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is Apple’s ultimate iPhone — massive, luxurious, and brimming with top-tier tech. It’s the company’s most complete phone yet, and a status symbol for those who want the best of everything.
But it’s not perfect. There’s no 120Hz display, no Touch ID, and Apple’s “save the planet” move means no charger or earphones in the box. The upgrades from the 11 Pro Max aren’t groundbreaking either.
Still, Apple’s polish, reliability, and long-term software support make the 12 Pro Max hard to beat. If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone or love big screens, go for it. But if you already own an iPhone 11 Pro or 12 Pro, you can safely skip this one
Pros
Premium, durable design
Excellent large OLED screen
Loud stereo speakers
Fast A14 Bionic chip with 5G
Dependable battery life
Great photo and video quality
MagSafe and LiDAR add versatility
Long-term iOS updates
Cons
No charger or earphones in the box
No high refresh rate display
Face ID struggles with masks
Camera upgrades are minor
High price, few major improvements
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