iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Starting at
£332.70£1,079.00 new
iPhone 15
Starting at
£416.19£699.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 15?
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 15 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at £332.70, £83.49 less than the iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 is the newer model, released in 2023.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Main camera
Weight
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15.
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 3687 mAh vs 3349 mAh.
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a bigger screen: 6.7 inch vs 6.1 inch.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 specs
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 15 differ in several key areas that suit different users. The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a larger 6.7 inch screen, which is ideal if you want more space for videos and apps. The iPhone 15 has a smaller 6.1 inch screen but a higher resolution main camera with 48 megapixels, making it better for detailed photos. The 12 Pro Max has a larger battery capacity, while the iPhone 15 uses a newer chipset for performance. The iPhone 15 is lighter and more compact, with a USB-C connector, which may suit those who prefer smaller phones and newer charging standards. Both support 5G and have the same RAM and storage options, so your choice depends on what you value most in size, camera, and connectivity.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 battery life and software updates
Battery capacity, software support and physical design matter when choosing a phone for day to day use. These affect how long the phone lasts on a charge and how current it stays.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 3687 mAh battery, which typically means longer use between charges. If you value longer battery life for heavy daily use, the iPhone 12 Pro Max may suit you better.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 performance
Performance affects how smoothly your phone runs apps and handles multitasking. Both phones offer the same amount of RAM and storage options, but their chipsets differ.
Chipset
The iPhone 15 uses the Apple A16 Bionic chip, a newer generation processor compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max's Apple A14 Bionic. This means the iPhone 15 is likely to handle demanding tasks and future software optimisations more efficiently.
RAM and Storage
Both phones have 6 GB of RAM, which supports running multiple apps smoothly. Storage options are the same on both devices, with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB available. This means you have similar choices for storing apps, photos, and files on either device.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 screen
Screen size and resolution affect how much you see and the sharpness of images. Both phones use the same screen technology but differ in size and resolution.
Screen Size
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a larger 6.7 inch screen, offering more space for watching videos, gaming, and multitasking. The iPhone 15's 6.1 inch screen is more compact and easier to use one-handed or carry in smaller pockets.
Resolution
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a resolution of 1284 by 2778 pixels, which provides slightly more detail on its larger screen. The iPhone 15 has a resolution of 1179 by 2556 pixels, which still delivers sharp images on its smaller display.
Screen Type
Both phones feature Super Retina XDR OLED screens, which means rich colours and deep blacks. This technology ensures good viewing quality whether you choose the larger or smaller screen.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 camera
Camera quality is key for photos and video calls. The front cameras are the same, but the main cameras differ significantly in megapixels.
Main Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 12 megapixel main camera, suitable for general photography and video. The iPhone 15 features a 48 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail and can be better for photography enthusiasts or those wanting higher resolution images.
Front Camera
Both phones have a 12 megapixel front camera, which supports clear selfies and video calls. This means similar front-facing camera performance on both devices.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 size and design
Physical size, weight, and connectors affect how comfortable the phone feels in your hand and how it fits into your daily routine.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is larger and heavier, measuring 160.8 mm tall, 78.1 mm wide, and 7.4 mm deep, weighing 226 g. The iPhone 15 is smaller and lighter at 14.76 cm tall, 7.16 cm wide, 0.78 cm deep, and 171 g. This makes the iPhone 15 easier to carry and handle if you prefer more compact phones.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Lightning connector, while the iPhone 15 uses USB-C. USB-C is a widely used standard, which may be more convenient if you use other devices with USB-C chargers or cables.
Network and SIM
Both phones support 5G for fast mobile data and offer the same SIM options: a physical SIM plus eSIM. This means similar connectivity and flexibility for mobile networks.
Carrier Compatibility
Both phones are unlocked, letting you choose or switch carriers freely without restrictions.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 15: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £332.70, £83.49 less than the iPhone 15
- you want a bigger battery (3687 mAh vs 3349 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.1 inch)
Buy the iPhone 15 if
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (171 g vs 228 g)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the iPhone 12 Pro Max praise its all-day battery life and storage capacity. Many say the phones look like new or only have minor, unnoticeable marks. Several users appreciate the colour options and the larger screen size, describing the device as elegant and perfect for those upgrading from smaller models. Some customers note the battery health is excellent and lasts well throughout the day. A few mention minor issues with scratches or performance, but most report satisfaction with the phone's condition and overall experience.
Buyers of the iPhone 15 highlight its near-new appearance even in fair condition and good battery life. Users like its responsiveness, camera quality, and compact size, describing it as perfect for everyday use. The USB-C connector and lighter weight receive positive comments for convenience. Some customers were initially cautious but found the phone to work flawlessly with clear screens and good battery health. Several say the phone feels like new and recommend it to friends and family.
Both phones suit buyers looking for reliable refurbished devices with current software support. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is favoured by those who want a larger screen and longer battery, while the iPhone 15 appeals to users who prefer a smaller, lighter phone with a higher resolution main camera and USB-C charging.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 15 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 3687 mAh vs 3349 mAh.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is cheaper refurbished, from £332.70 compared with £416.19 for the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 3687 mAh vs 3349 mAh.
The iPhone 15 has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 15 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 15 adds a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels) and a lighter build (171 g vs 228 g). Refurbished, it costs £83.49 more (from £416.19 vs £332.70).
Both come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB refurbished.
