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Lab Benchmark Battle

iPhone 12 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄
Apple · 2020

iPhone 12

iPhone 12
65/ 100
Launch MSRP$799 USD
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max
93/ 100
Launch MSRP$1,499 USD
WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS iPhone 18 Pro Max BETTER THAN iPhone 12?

Tap an area on the radar to inspect category hardware facts

iPhone 12
iPhone 18 Pro MaxWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta
SPEC FACTORiPhone 12iPhone 18LEADER
Refresh Rate60Hz120Hz120Hz
Battery Capacity2,815 mAh5,567 mAh+5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging20W45W45W Max
Main Camera Sensor12 MP48 MP48 MP
Screen Display Size6.1"6.9"6.9"
Chassis Weight164g249g164g Lightest
Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy iPhone 12:
  • ✓85g lighter chassis (164g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
  • ✓$700 lower launch MSRP ($799 vs $1499)
  • ✓12MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
  • ✓Larger 5,567 mAh battery capacity (+2,752 mAh more capacity)
  • ✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
  • ✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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SpecificationiPhone 12iPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen Type & TechSuper Retina XDR OLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.1"6.9"
Resolution & Density2532x1170 (460 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate60 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness625 nits peak1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionScratch-resistant glassCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorHigh performance SoC Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresMulti-core high performanceHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsIntegrated GraphicsApple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemiOS 14iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory4 GB LPDDR12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage64GB / 128GB / 256GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedHigh-speed flashNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera12 MP, f/1.6, OIS48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto ZoomNone (Digital zoom only)48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera12 MP, f/2.448 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthNoneTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Front Video
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens12 MP, f/2.218 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 12 Lightest Chassis
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight164 g249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsGlass front, metal/glass frameGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNano-SIM / eSIM supportNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity2,815 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging20W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging15W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingReverse wireless chargingReverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerStereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth5.0Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedLightningUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compassFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS via satellite (select markets)Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsStandard finishesBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Launch Price$799$1,499 / €1,600
Editorial Lab Verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, iPhone 18 Pro Max ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) architecture and verified 94/100 camera rating.

When to buy iPhone 12:
Lighter body: 164g (85g lighter in hand) · Lower launch price: $799 (save $700)
When to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 64.8 · Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+2,752 mAh more)
Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: iPhone 12 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Which phone is better: iPhone 12 or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads with an overall BeastScore of 92.8/100 compared to iPhone 12 (64.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 64.8 and Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+2,752 mAh more).

What are the primary battery and display differences between iPhone 12 and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 12 is equipped with a 6.1-inch display and 2815 mAh battery, while iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do the camera capabilities compare between iPhone 12 and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

In lab hardware evaluations, iPhone 12 scores 72/100 in camera performance, while iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 94/100.

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