iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,533,780 | 1,091,814 | +40.5% |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A14 Bionic | — |
| Display | 6.1" 120 Hz | 6.7" 60 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 3,274 | 3,687 | -11.2% |
| Rear cameras | 48+12+12+LiDAR MP | 12+12+12+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 8 GB / 128 GB | 6 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 8 GB / 1024 GB | 6 GB / 512 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 187 | 228 | -18.0% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $999–$1,499 | $1,099–$1,399 | -9.1% |
- iPhone 15 Pro leads on raw performance by about 40% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A17 Pro vs Apple A14 Bionic).
- iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max?
iPhone 15 Pro advantages
- Raw performance (+29%)
- Display smoothness (+50%)
- Camera resolution (+75%)
- Memory (+25%)
- Lightness (+18%)
- Affordability (+9%)
iPhone 12 Pro Max advantages
- Battery capacity (+11%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 15 Pro if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
- Choose the iPhone 15 Pro if you want the smoothest scrolling and gaming.
Value for money
iPhone 15 Pro delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro Max: which should you choose?
iPhone 15 Pro — Apple iOS 17 smartphone (2023) with a 6.1-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A17 Pro, 3274 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,533,780 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $999.
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 15 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro Max: iPhone 15 Pro is the faster phone. iPhone 15 Pro leads on raw performance by about 40% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A17 Pro vs Apple A14 Bionic). iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 15 Pro is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,533,780 vs 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A17 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 15 Pro carries a 6.1-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.7-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Batteries are 3,274 and 3,687 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 48+12+12+LiDAR MP versus 12+12+12+LiDAR MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 128 GB and 6 GB / 128 GB. The iPhone 15 Pro is the more affordable at about $999 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 15 Pro better than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
iPhone 15 Pro is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. iPhone 15 Pro leads on raw performance by about 40% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A17 Pro vs Apple A14 Bionic).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
iPhone 15 Pro leads on raw performance by about 40% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A17 Pro vs Apple A14 Bionic). iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 15 Pro delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
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.