Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
iPhone 12 Pro offers solid flagship performance at a lower entry price, featuring the capable A14 Bionic chip, dependable 12MP quad camera system with Dolby Vision video, and a bright 6.1-inch OLED display. iPhone 15 Pro Max represents the current generation pinnacle with the faster A17 Pro processor, dramatically improved 48MP main camera with superior telephoto reach (5x vs 2.5x), 120Hz ProMotion display reaching 2000 nits brightness, faster 27W charging, larger 6.7-inch screen, and USB-C connectivity. The newer model's titanium construction, significantly larger 4422mAh battery versus 2815mAh, and iOS 17 advantages justify the premium for power users and photography enthusiasts. However, the 12 Pro remains competitive for everyday tasks and remains excellent value if display size and bleeding-edge specs aren't priorities.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | iOS 17 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 189 g | 221 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Titanium frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 2.5x | 12 MP 5x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4422 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 27W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (6-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A17 Pro |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Pros
- First iPhone with LiDAR scanner for AR and Night mode portraits
- Introduced MagSafe magnetic accessory ecosystem
- First 5nm chip (A14 Bionic) on any smartphone
- ProRAW format for professional photo editing
- Flat-edge design revival praised for aesthetics
Cons
- No 120Hz ProMotion display at Pro pricing
- Small 2815 mAh battery requires charging daily
- Charger removed from box controversially
- 2.5x telephoto falls short of Android competition
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pros
- First Apple titanium frame, lighter than predecessor
- Powerful A17 Pro chip with hardware ray tracing
- New 5x tetraprism telephoto camera
- USB-C with USB 3 transfer speeds
- Excellent ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Heavy device despite titanium
- No charging speed improvements
- Initial overheating reports at launch
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