iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro
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iPhone 12 Pro Max
Starting at
£332.70£1,079.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro
Starting at
£1,074.24£1,099.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro?
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 17 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at £332.70, £741.54 less than the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro.
- The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- Battery: 3687 mAh on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro specs
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro offer different experiences that suit distinct needs. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a larger 6.7 inch screen with higher resolution, which makes it good for watching videos and reading on a roomy display. The iPhone 17 Pro, with its Apple A19 Pro chipset and 12 GB RAM, suits users who want more memory for multitasking and a more powerful processor. Photography benefits from the iPhone 17 Pro's higher megapixel front and main cameras. Battery capacity is higher on the iPhone 17 Pro, which may extend usage between charges. The iPhone 17 Pro is also lighter and more compact, fitting more easily in pockets. Your choice depends on whether you prefer a larger screen and simpler storage options or more performance, camera detail, and a smaller size.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and device design. Battery capacity differs and affects how long the phone can last on a single charge.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a 3687 mAh battery, which suits users who want solid daily use. The iPhone 17 Pro has a larger battery capacity with options of 3998 mAh and 4252 mAh, offering potentially longer usage between charges for those who need it.
Software Updates
This means both devices will receive new features and security improvements, supporting long-term software use.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro performance
Performance depends on chipset power, memory, and storage options. The iPhone 17 Pro has a newer chipset and more RAM, which benefits multitasking and demanding apps. Storage options also differ, affecting how much data you can keep on the device.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses the Apple A14 Bionic chip with 6 GB of RAM, suitable for everyday apps and smooth performance. The iPhone 17 Pro features the Apple A19 Pro chip made with 3 nm technology and 12 GB of RAM, which supports heavier multitasking and faster processing for power users.
Storage Options
Storage on the iPhone 12 Pro Max ranges from 128GB to 512GB, suitable for most users who store photos and apps. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at 256GB and goes up to 1TB, offering more space for those who keep large files, videos, or use their device for content creation.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro screen
Screen quality is about size, resolution, and type. These affect how clear and comfortable the display is for different tasks like watching videos or reading text.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1284 x 2778, providing a spacious and sharp display for video and reading. The iPhone 17 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.3 inch Super Retina XDR screen with a resolution of 2622 x 1206, which offers a high-quality display in a more compact size.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro camera
Audiovisual features include camera capabilities that affect photo and video quality, especially for users focused on photography or video calls.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 12 megapixel front camera, good for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro increases this to 18 megapixels, capturing more detail for sharper self-portraits and video.
Main Camera
The main camera on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is 12 megapixels, which suits everyday photography well. The iPhone 17 Pro offers a 48 megapixel main camera, allowing for more detailed photos that benefit users who prioritise high-resolution images.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro size and design
Miscellaneous features cover physical dimensions, connectors, network compatibility, and SIM options, which influence usability and convenience.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 Pro Max measures 160.8 mm in height, 78.1 mm in width, and 7.4 mm in depth, weighing 226 g. This makes it a larger and heavier phone. The iPhone 17 Pro is more compact at 150 mm tall, 71.9 mm wide, and 8.8 mm deep, weighing 206 g, making it easier to carry and fit in smaller pockets.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Lightning connector, while the iPhone 17 Pro uses a USB-C connector. USB-C may offer wider compatibility with modern accessories and chargers.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, giving flexibility to use a physical SIM card alongside a digital one. The iPhone 17 Pro uses only eSIM, which can suit users comfortable with digital SIM management.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £332.70, £741.54 less than the iPhone 17 Pro
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.3 inch)
- you want an OLED screen
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 12 Pro Max appreciate its battery life, often mentioning that it lasts all day. Many are happy with the device's condition, describing it as looking like new or pristine even with minor cosmetic marks. The large screen size and storage options are also highlighted by users upgrading from earlier models. Some customers note the colour and overall design elegance as a positive.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro show satisfaction with its condition and battery health, with users praising the phone's spotless appearance and performance. The smaller size compared to larger models is welcomed by those who prefer a phone that fits easily in a pocket. The display quality and camera improvements receive positive comments, especially for clearer visuals in sunlight and sharper photos. Storage capacity and battery cycle counts are also noted as advantages.
Both devices suit different types of users: the iPhone 12 Pro Max appeals to those who want a larger screen and straightforward storage options, while the iPhone 17 Pro suits buyers seeking more processing power, higher camera resolution, and a more compact design.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 17 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is cheaper refurbished, from £332.70 compared with £1074.24 for the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has 3687 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro has 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh.
The iPhone 17 Pro 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 17 Pro is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 Pro adds more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB), a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels) and a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £741.54 more (from £1074.24 vs £332.70).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
