iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max – Full Review and Comparison

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are part of Apple’s premium 2020 lineup, offering professional-grade performance, advanced cameras, and the elegant design Apple is known for. Even today, they remain powerful choices thanks to their durable build, 5G support, and high-quality displays.

Design and Build Quality

Both models share the same luxurious design:

Surgical-grade stainless steel frame

Ceramic Shield front cover (4× tougher drop resistance)

Matte-finish glass back

Water and dust resistance (IP68)

Color options include Graphite, Silver, Gold, and Pacific Blue, giving the phones a premium and modern appearance.

Size Difference

Model Size Weight

iPhone 12 Pro 6.1-inch 189g

iPhone 12 Pro Max 6.7-inch 228g

The Pro Max offers a larger display and battery, making it ideal for media and productivity. The smaller Pro is more comfortable for one-handed use.

Display Quality

Both feature stunning Super Retina XDR OLED displays with:

High contrast

Deep blacks

Vibrant colors

HDR10 and Dolby Vision support

Display Comparison

12 Pro: 6.1-inch (2532×1170 pixels)

12 Pro Max: 6.7-inch (2778×1284 pixels)

The larger screen of the Pro Max provides a better movie, gaming, and multitasking experience.

Performance – Powered by A14 Bionic

Both models run on Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which remains fast and efficient for:

Gaming

Video editing

Multitasking

Heavy apps

iOS updates

The chip ensures smooth performance and great battery optimization, even years after release.

Camera System – Pro-Level Photography

Both phones feature a triple-camera system plus a LiDAR scanner:

12MP Wide lens

12MP Ultra-Wide lens

12MP Telephoto lens

LiDAR for improved low-light focus and AR performance

They support:

Night Mode (all lenses)

Deep Fusion

Smart HDR 3

4K Dolby Vision HDR recording

Camera Advantage – 12 Pro Max

The 12 Pro Max features:

Larger sensor on the main camera (better low-light shots)

Longer 2.5× optical zoom (vs 2× on the 12 Pro)

Sensor-shift stabilization

This makes the 12 Pro Max the better choice for photography enthusiasts.

Battery Life

Both offer strong battery life, but the Pro Max leads:

Model Video Playback Real-World Use

12 Pro Up to 17 hours Full-day use

12 Pro Max Up to 20 hours Longer-than-day use

The larger Pro Max battery is great for:

Gaming

Streaming

Navigation

Content creation

Both support:

Fast charging

Wireless charging

MagSafe accessories

5G Connectivity

Both models support 5G, delivering faster downloads, smoother streaming, and improved online gaming.

Network features include:

Smart Data Mode (switches between 4G/5G to save battery)

Better performance in crowded areas

Storage Options

Both come in:

128GB

256GB

512GB

This makes them suitable for professionals, photographers, and users who store large apps or media files.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose iPhone 12 Pro if you want:

A more comfortable 6.1-inch size

Lighter weight

Same Pro-level performance at a lower cost

Choose iPhone 12 Pro Max if you want:

Bigger display for movies, gaming & editing

Better battery life

Superior low-light camera performance

Longer telephoto zoom

Conclusion

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max remain excellent devices with premium features, powerful performance, and high-end camera technology. Whether you choose the compact 12 Pro or the larger 12 Pro Max, you’ll enjoy flagship-level quality at a more affordable price compared to newer models.