iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
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iPhone 12 Pro Max
Starting at
£332.70£1,079.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at £332.70, £876.30 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max 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 on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- Battery: 3687 mAh on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max differ in several key areas that suit different types of users. The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers solid performance and familiar features for everyday use with a 6.7 inch screen and a Lightning connector. The iPhone 17 Pro Max brings enhancements like a larger 6.9 inch screen, a more powerful Apple A19 Pro chipset, double the RAM, a higher capacity battery, and significantly improved camera resolution. It also uses a USB-C connector and offers larger storage options, including up to 2TB. The iPhone 12 Pro Max suits those who want a dependable device with good battery life and straightforward features, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is better for users who need more power, storage, and detailed photography.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software support, and physical design.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 3687 mAh battery, which suits everyday use with reliable all-day performance as confirmed by customers. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a larger battery capacity, listed as both 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, which means it can support longer usage times before needing a recharge. This is helpful if you use power-intensive apps or prefer less frequent charging.
Software Updates
This means you can expect current software features and security improvements on either device.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance involves the chipset, RAM, and storage options. These affect speed, multitasking, and how much data you can keep on your phone.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 12 Pro Max runs on the Apple A14 Bionic chipset with 6 GB of RAM. This combination handles everyday apps smoothly and offers a good balance for general use. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features the Apple A19 Pro chipset and doubles the RAM to 12 GB, which supports more demanding tasks and keeps more apps open simultaneously. This makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max better suited for power users.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, which fits most users who store photos, apps, and media. The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at 256GB and goes up to 2TB, allowing for extensive storage of large files, videos, and apps without needing external options.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects how you see content and interact with the device. Differences in size, resolution, and technology influence viewing experience.
Screen Size
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch screen, which provides a spacious display for watching videos and browsing. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a slightly larger 6.9 inch screen, giving you more room for content, which benefits users who prefer a bigger display for gaming or productivity.
Resolution and Screen Type
The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a resolution of 1284 x 2778 pixels with a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, delivering sharp and vivid images. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels with Super Retina XDR technology, which supports a wide and clear display. The different resolution and screen type mean the iPhone 17 Pro Max may suit those who want a wider and more detailed viewing experience.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Audiovisual features include the cameras, which determine image clarity and video quality for selfies and main photography.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 12 megapixel front camera, suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max increases this to 18 megapixels, which captures more detail and sharpness in your front-facing photos and videos.
Main Camera
The main camera on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is 12 megapixels, which is good for everyday photography. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 48 megapixel main camera, providing much higher resolution images. This is ideal for users who want to capture detailed photos and have more flexibility for cropping or printing.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Miscellaneous features cover connectors, physical dimensions, network compatibility, and SIM options that affect everyday usability and convenience.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Lightning connector, which is common on many earlier Apple devices. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a USB-C connector, which offers compatibility with a wider range of chargers and accessories. This may suit users who prefer standardised cables.
Physical 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. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is slightly taller at 163.4 mm, wider at 78 mm, and deeper at 8.8 mm, weighing 233 g. The differences mean the iPhone 17 Pro Max feels marginally bigger and heavier, which users should consider if pocket space or one-handed use is important.
Network and SIM
Both devices support 5G mobile networks and accept a physical SIM plus eSIM. Both are unlocked, so you can use them with any compatible carrier.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £332.70, £876.30 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (228 g vs 233 g)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 12 Pro Max often highlight how the device looks like new and works perfectly. Many note the battery lasts all day and appreciate the storage options. Some mention minor cosmetic marks that do not affect use and state the device suits everyday needs well. There are also customers who appreciate the quick and easy setup and smooth performance for general use.
For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, customers comment on the device's condition being like new and the battery health being excellent. They find it works as described and performs well, with some noting easy app transfer from older iPhones. A few customers mention issues unrelated to the device itself, but overall, it suits those wanting a powerful phone with good battery and quality condition.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is well suited to users looking for a dependable daily phone with solid battery life and storage. The iPhone 17 Pro Max appeals to those who want higher performance, more storage, and enhanced camera capabilities in a slightly larger device.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is cheaper refurbished, from £332.70 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has 3687 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
The iPhone 17 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 17 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max adds more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £876.30 more (from £1209 vs £332.70).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
