iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,091,814 | 1,299,090 | -16.0% |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.7" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 2,815 | 4,352 | -35.3% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12 MP | 12+12+12+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 4 GB / 64 GB | 6 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 4 GB / 256 GB | 6 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 164 | 240 | -31.7% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $799–$949 | $1,099–$1,599 | -27.3% |
- iPhone 13 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic).
- iPhone 12 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Verdict: iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
iPhone 12 advantages
- Lightness (+32%)
- Affordability (+27%)
iPhone 13 Pro Max advantages
- Raw performance (+16%)
- Battery capacity (+35%)
- Display smoothness (+50%)
- Memory (+33%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 12 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
- Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone 12 if you want the best value for money.
Value for money
iPhone 12 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: which should you choose?
iPhone 12 — Apple iOS 14 smartphone (2020) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A14 Bionic, 2815 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $799.
iPhone 13 Pro Max — Apple iOS 15 smartphone (2021) with a 6.7-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A15 Bionic, 4352 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,299,090 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,099.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: iPhone 13 Pro Max is the faster phone. iPhone 13 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic). iPhone 12 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,299,090 vs 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A15 Bionic 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 carries a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.7-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Batteries are 2,815 and 4,352 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12 MP versus 12+12+12+LiDAR MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 4 GB / 64 GB and 6 GB / 128 GB. The iPhone 12 is the more affordable at about $799 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 better than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
iPhone 13 Pro Max takes the overall edge, though iPhone 12 wins in specific areas worth weighing. iPhone 13 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
iPhone 13 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic). iPhone 12 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Which is better value?
iPhone 12 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 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use. Choose the iPhone 13 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.