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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a larger screen size is important to you, the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a 6.7-inch display compared to the iPhone 12's 6.1-inch display. For photography enthusiasts, the iPhone 13 Pro Max provides superior camera performance with better still photo and video quality, and includes additional camera features like a telephoto lens. The iPhone 13 Pro Max also has a longer battery life, which means you can use your phone for a more extended period without charging. However, it is heavier and slightly larger, which may be less comfortable for some users. Both models have similar build materials, no headphone jack, and support wireless charging, but only the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a high refresh rate display for smoother scrolling and animation. If these improvements are worth the potential tradeoff in size and weight, then the iPhone 13 Pro Max might be the better option for you. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- The Apple iPhone 12 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Very good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Very good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
8.0
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has very good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a superior camera experience over the iPhone 12, with a better selfie camera quality important for capturing high-quality self-portraits. Additionally, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has enhanced photos software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, which contribute to more versatile and generally better photo and video outcomes.
Photo Quality
7.1
7.8
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 12 both have good photos, though the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes somewhat better photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 delivers good selfies, but the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes them to the next level with very good quality, thanks to improvements in resolution, software, dynamic range, and low light performance, further enhanced by greater camera versatility. While both phones are equipped with good photo-taking capabilities, the iPhone 13 Pro Max's advancements result in superior selfie captures.
Video Quality
7.2
8.6
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes very good videos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max captures higher quality videos than the iPhone 12 due to its superior video stabilization and dynamic range, which results in smoother footage and better detail in varied lighting conditions. Additionally, the 13 Pro Max provides a better video software experience and low light performance, alongside having a higher grade microphone, making it ideal for capturing clear videos and sound in challenging environments.
Battery
6.2 Hours
9.6 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has 9.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$600
$639
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max costs $639.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $639 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Apple | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | iOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | September 24, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2778 x 1284 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 458 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | A15 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 9.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4352 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 6.33" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 8.47 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Alpine Green, Graphite, Sierra Blue, Gold, Silver | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Custom ROM Support | |||
Custom ROM Support | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | March 2023
"The iPhone 13 Pro Max is that rare phone that gets a 5-star rating from us. You get blistering performance and a very responsive 120Hz display. Plus, the battery life is among the best we’ve seen from a 5G flagship. Some may simply prefer the iPhone 13 Pro because it’s smaller and lighter, as there are no other functional differences between the two handsets. But if you prefer a bigger screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the closest thing to perfect you can get in a phone."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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