iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
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iPhone 12 Pro Max
Starting at
£332.70£1,079.00 new
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at £332.70, £507.43 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the newer model, released in 2024.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 3687 mAh.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max differ in several key areas that suit different users. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger battery capacity and more RAM, making it a good choice for users who run multiple apps or want longer battery life. Its screen is slightly bigger with a higher resolution and uses an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, which offers improved display technology. The camera setup on the iPhone 16 Pro Max captures much more detail with a 48 megapixel main camera compared to the 12 megapixel main camera on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses USB-C, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max retains the Lightning connector. Storage options also differ, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max offering up to 1TB.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and basic device features.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 3687 mAh battery, which suits users with moderate daily use. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger 4685 mAh battery, ideal if you want extra battery life for longer periods between charges or more demanding use.
Operating System
Both devices run iOS. The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with iOS 18.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max performance
Performance differences come from chipset, RAM, and storage options. These affect how smoothly the phone runs apps and handles multitasking or storage needs.
Processor and RAM
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses the Apple A14 Bionic chipset with 6 GB of RAM, well suited to everyday tasks and general use. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro chipset and has 8 GB of RAM, which helps keep more apps open and supports smoother performance for intensive tasks.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is available with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage, suitable for typical photo, app, and media storage. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256GB and goes up to 1TB, which suits users who need more space for large files, apps, or high-resolution media.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max screen
Screen quality influences how content looks and feels to use. Both screens are OLED, offering vibrant colours and deep blacks, but there are differences in size, resolution, and display technology.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1284 x 2778, providing a sharp and immersive viewing experience. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a slightly larger 6.9 inch screen and a higher resolution of 1320 x 2868, which means more screen space and finer detail for videos and apps.
Display Type
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, known for bright and clear visuals. The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which typically allows for more efficient power use and potentially smoother refresh rates.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max camera
The audiovisual section covers camera capabilities and front camera quality, important for photography and video calls.
Main Camera Resolution
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 12 megapixel main camera, which delivers solid photo quality for everyday use. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing much more detail which benefits users who want higher resolution images for cropping or large prints.
Front Camera
Both phones have a 12 megapixel front camera, offering comparable quality for selfies and video calls.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max size and design
Other differences include size, weight, connectors, SIM options, and network compatibility, which affect how you use the phone day to day.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Lightning connector for charging and accessories.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, giving flexibility if you want to switch between SIM cards. The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses only eSIM, which suits users comfortable managing SIM profiles digitally.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
Dimensionally, the iPhone 12 Pro Max measures 160.8 mm tall, 78.1 mm wide, and 7.4 mm deep, weighing 226 g. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly taller at 163 mm, a bit wider at 77.6 mm, and deeper at 8.3 mm, weighing 227 g. These differences affect hand feel and pocket fit slightly.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £332.70, £507.43 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 3687 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who have the iPhone 12 Pro Max often highlight the device's all-day battery life and the phone's condition looking like new. Many mention the screen as responsive and the storage as sufficient for their needs. Several users appreciate the sturdy build and find the camera reliable for everyday photography. Some note minor cosmetic marks that are easily hidden or do not affect use. Overall, users report satisfaction with the battery lasting through a day and the device performing well for typical tasks.
Users of the iPhone 16 Pro Max praise its almost new condition and excellent battery health, often close to 100%. The screen is described as very responsive and smooth, enhancing daily use. The larger storage options and premium build quality are frequently mentioned. The camera performance with its higher megapixel count is noted to capture great detail. Some users find the phone feels premium in hand and appreciate the USB-C connector. Reports of initial SIM card detection issues are rare and usually resolve quickly. The phone suits those wanting high performance and plenty of storage.
Both phones attract users who want reliable, refurbished models with solid battery life and good screen quality. The iPhone 12 Pro Max suits those happy with a classic Lightning connector and moderate storage, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max suits users needing extra storage, a bigger screen, and the convenience of USB-C.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is cheaper refurbished, from £332.70 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 3687 mAh.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max 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 16 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max adds more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 3687 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch). Refurbished, it costs £507.43 more (from £840.13 vs £332.70).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
