iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 Pro
Starting at
£274.51£879.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 12 Pro vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro starts at £274.51, £934.49 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 (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- Battery: 2815 mAh on the iPhone 12 Pro, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max differ in screen size, performance, battery capacity, and camera capabilities. The iPhone 12 Pro suits those who want a compact phone with solid everyday performance and good battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a larger screen that is better for watching videos and gaming, twice the RAM for more multitasking, and higher resolution cameras for detailed photos. It also has a much bigger battery for longer use between charges. Buyers who want more storage and a USB-C connector will find the iPhone 17 Pro Max fits those needs.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity and software support, which affect how long the phone lasts during daily use and how long it stays current.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 2815 mAh battery, which suits typical daily use with moderate screen size. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers two battery capacities, 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, providing significantly longer usage between charges. This larger battery may benefit users who need extended screen time or use power-intensive apps.
Software Updates
This means both devices will receive current features and security improvements, supporting ongoing software reliability.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options, which influence how smoothly apps run and how much you can store and multitask.
Processing Power
The iPhone 12 Pro uses the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built on a 5 nm process, delivering solid performance for everyday tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features the Apple A19 Pro chipset, which is a newer model designed to support more demanding applications and multitasking.
Memory
With 6 GB of RAM, the iPhone 12 Pro keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles that to 12 GB, allowing for better multitasking and handling of more intensive processes simultaneously.
Storage Choices
The iPhone 12 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options, suitable for users with standard storage needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers larger options including 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB, which suits users who store large files, videos, or many apps.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality influences viewing experience for videos, browsing, and gaming. Differences in size, resolution, and refresh rate affect clarity and smoothness.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1170 x 2532, offering sharp images in a compact size. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a larger 6.9 inch Super Retina XDR screen with 2868 x 1320 resolution, providing a roomier display with more detail for watching videos and multitasking.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone 12 Pro refreshes at 60 Hz, which is standard for smooth scrolling and video playback. The iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles this to 120 Hz, offering a smoother experience that benefits gaming and scrolling through content.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Audiovisual features include front and main camera resolutions, affecting photo and video quality for selfies and general photography.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 12 megapixel front camera, suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max increases this to 18 megapixels, capturing more detail and sharper images in selfies.
Main Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro uses a 12 megapixel main camera good for everyday photography. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a 48 megapixel main camera, which captures much more detail, benefiting users who want high-resolution photos.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Miscellaneous differences cover connectors, physical dimensions, and network compatibility, which influence usability and comfort.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro uses a Lightning connector, commonly seen in many Apple devices. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a USB-C connector, which may be preferred by users who want a universal charging and data transfer port.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 Pro measures 146.7 mm in height, 71.5 mm in width, and 7.4 mm in depth, weighing 187 g, making it compact and lighter. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger at 16.34 cm height, 7.8 cm width, and 0.88 cm depth, weighing 233 g. This makes the 17 Pro Max more suited to users comfortable with a bigger, heavier device that offers a larger screen.
Network and SIM
Both phones support 5G networks and use a combination of physical SIM and eSIM, providing flexibility for mobile plans.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £274.51, £934.49 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (189 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 6.1 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
What our customers say
Customers of the iPhone 12 Pro praise its condition and reliability. Many mention the phone looks and works like new, with battery health often at or near 100 percent. Users appreciate the smooth performance and solid battery life for everyday use. Some buyers upgraded from older iPhones and value the ability to run the latest iOS and apps. The size and feel of the phone appeal to those who want a manageable, lightweight device. Overall, customers find the iPhone 12 Pro a dependable choice that holds up well over time.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro Max highlight satisfaction with the phone's condition and performance. Several customers note the ease of moving apps and data to the new device. Battery health is often described as excellent, supporting longer usage. The larger screen and higher camera quality receive positive comments. Some users report occasional call connection issues, which may relate to network conditions. Many customers say the phone works as expected and looks like new.
The iPhone 12 Pro suits those wanting a compact, reliable phone with solid performance and battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro Max fits users who prioritise a larger screen, more memory, and higher camera resolution for photography and multitasking.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, 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 is cheaper refurbished, from £274.51 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro has 2815 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 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 6.1 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £934.49 more (from £1209 vs £274.51).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
