iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,091,814 | 1,780,416 | -38.7% |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A18 Pro | — |
| Display | 6.7" 60 Hz | 6.9" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 3,687 | 4,685 | -21.3% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12+12+LiDAR MP | 48+48+12+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 6 GB / 128 GB | 8 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 6 GB / 512 GB | 8 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 228 | 227 | +0.4% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,099–$1,399 | $1,199–$1,599 | -8.3% |
- iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 39% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18 Pro).
- iPhone 12 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 12 Pro Max advantages
- Affordability (+8%)
iPhone 16 Pro Max advantages
- Raw performance (+39%)
- Battery capacity (+21%)
- Display smoothness (+50%)
- Camera resolution (+75%)
- Memory (+25%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if you want the best value for money.
- Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Value for money
iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you choose?
iPhone 12 Pro Max — Apple iOS 14 smartphone (2020) with a 6.7-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A14 Bionic, 3687 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,099.
iPhone 16 Pro Max — Apple iOS 18 smartphone (2024) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A18 Pro, 4685 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,780,416 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,199.
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: iPhone 16 Pro Max is the faster phone. iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 39% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18 Pro). iPhone 12 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,780,416 vs 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A18 Pro against the Apple A14 Bionic. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 12 Pro Max carries a 6.7-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Batteries are 3,687 and 4,685 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12+12+LiDAR MP versus 48+48+12+LiDAR MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 6 GB / 128 GB and 8 GB / 256 GB. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the more affordable at about $1,099 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 12 Pro Max better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 16 Pro Max takes the overall edge, though iPhone 12 Pro Max wins in specific areas worth weighing. iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 39% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18 Pro).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 39% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18 Pro). iPhone 12 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if you want the best value for money. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.