iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Starting at
£332.70£1,079.00 new
iPhone 17e
Starting at
£603.69What's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 17e?
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 17e comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at £332.70, £270.99 less than the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Main camera
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17e.
- The iPhone 17e has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- The iPhone 17e has a bigger battery: 4005 mAh vs 3687 mAh.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e specs
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 17e differ in several key areas that suit different needs. The 12 Pro Max offers a larger 6.7 inch screen with higher resolution, making it a good choice if you want a roomier display for video or gaming. The iPhone 17e has a smaller 6.1 inch screen but a more powerful processor and more RAM, which helps keep apps running smoothly and handle multitasking with ease. The 17e features a higher capacity battery and a 48 megapixel main camera, ideal if you want longer battery life and sharper photos. The 12 Pro Max is heavier and uses a Lightning connector, while the 17e is lighter and charges via USB-C. Storage options vary slightly, with the 12 Pro Max offering a 128GB model.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 3687 mAh battery, which suits users who find its all-day battery life sufficient. The iPhone 17e has a larger 4005 mAh battery, offering potentially longer usage between charges for those who need extra endurance during busy days.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options you choose. These affect how smoothly apps run and how much multitasking you can do.
Processor Power
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses the Apple A14 Bionic chipset, which handles everyday tasks and demanding apps well. The iPhone 17e features the Apple A19 chipset, providing increased processing power for smoother performance and efficiency.
Memory Capacity
With 6 GB of RAM, the iPhone 12 Pro Max keeps many apps open comfortably. The iPhone 17e has 8 GB of RAM, helping it maintain even more apps running smoothly, which benefits multitasking and heavier app use.
Storage Options
You can find the iPhone 12 Pro Max with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage, allowing more flexibility if you want a lower capacity. The iPhone 17e offers 256GB and 512GB, which suits users who want higher base storage for photos, apps, and media.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e screen
Screen quality shapes your viewing experience. Both use Super Retina XDR OLED technology for vivid colours and contrast, but size and resolution vary.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1284 by 2778, making it ideal for watching videos or browsing with plenty of screen space. The iPhone 17e has a smaller 6.1 inch screen with 2532 by 1170 resolution, which suits those who prefer a more compact phone while still enjoying sharp visuals.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e camera
Camera capabilities differ notably and affect photo and video quality, especially for those who use their phone for photography.
Front Camera
Both iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 17e have a 12 megapixel front camera, which supports clear and detailed selfies or video calls.
Main Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 12 megapixel main camera, suitable for general photography needs. The iPhone 17e has a higher resolution 48 megapixel main camera, offering more detail for photos, which benefits users who want sharper images or more cropping flexibility.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e size and design
Other factors include physical size, weight, connectors, and network compatibility which can influence daily use and convenience.
Physical Dimensions 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 larger and heavier, suited for those who want a larger device and don't mind the extra weight. The iPhone 17e is smaller at 146.7 mm high, 71.5 mm wide, and 7.8 mm deep, with a lighter weight of 169 g, ideal if you prefer a more compact and lighter phone.
Charging Connector
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Lightning connector, which works with existing Apple accessories.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G mobile networks, so you can use them with a variety of carriers and enjoy faster mobile data where available.
SIM Card Support
Each device supports a physical SIM plus eSIM, giving you flexibility to use multiple numbers or carriers.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 17e: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £332.70, £270.99 less than the iPhone 17e
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.1 inch)
Buy the iPhone 17e if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4005 mAh vs 3687 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers praise the iPhone 12 Pro Max for its like-new condition and all-day battery life. Many mention how the phone looks pristine with minimal scratches, and they appreciate the storage options and smooth performance. The battery health is often highlighted as excellent, and users feel confident recommending the device. Some customers note minor cosmetic marks that can be hidden with a clear case, while a few reports mention disappointing experiences with screen responsiveness or wrong colour, showing that condition can vary.
For the iPhone 17e, customers often mention the phone feels like new with a perfect condition and 100 percent battery lifespan. The device's size is appreciated as comfortable, and many highlight good performance and setup ease. Some customers have noticed minor screen scratches affecting value but still feel the phone offers fair quality. Overall, users recommend the iPhone 17e for its condition and features.
Both phones suit different needs: the iPhone 12 Pro Max appeals to those wanting a larger screen and varied storage options, while the iPhone 17e suits users seeking a lighter device with a powerful camera and long-lasting battery.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 17e comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is cheaper refurbished, from £332.70 compared with £603.69 for the iPhone 17e.
The iPhone 17e has a bigger battery: 4005 mAh vs 3687 mAh.
The iPhone 17e 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 17e is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17e adds more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger battery (4005 mAh vs 3687 mAh) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £270.99 more (from £603.69 vs £332.70).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17e in 256GB and 512GB.
