Short Review:
Although this iPhone 12 Pro Max review may be a bit outdated considering the iPhone 13 Pro Max, it is still worth looking at.
Apple may keep the older models of its basic lineup, but it usually quietly retires the larger models. You’ll be able to find the iPhone 12 Pro Max at other retailers (probably at a discount), but not directly from Apple.
The design of the 12 Pro Max is similar to the iPhone 12 family’s 2020 model. It has a flat-sided frame that looks more industrial and is less comfortable to hold than the last year’s model. It is not a completely new design as it was introduced in the iPhone 4 nearly 10 years ago. However, it has made a return in recent iPad Pro models.
We recommend the 12 Pro Max to big Apple phone fans because the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s upgrades are not that big. iOS 15 adds a lot of functionality. This includes improved Apple Maps, more nuanced messaging functionality, and sharing media via SharePlay.
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The 12 Pro Max comes in a premium, muted colors. Despite being a fingerprint magnet, we love the shiny metal rim at the edge of the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It gives the phone an industrial and modern look. Although the 12 Pro Max may be slightly larger than the 2019 iPhone 11 Pro Max, the OLED screen has been increased to 6.7 inches by apple.
The larger display makes images clearer and easier to see. You can also see more web pages and images in everyday use. It was the best iPhone ever launched as a movie-watching device. Its display is one of the most impressive on the market and can quickly render vibrant scenes and subtler tones.
The new iPhone 12 Pro Max’s main feature is the camera array. There are three cameras with better image processing, each of which has been upgraded. The camera block is slightly higher than the iPhones of recent years, but the primary 12MP sensor captures a lot more light and has enhanced image processing. Some of the photos that we took were truly impressive.
But, the 12 Pro Max was slightly better than the iPhone 12 Pro in terms of camera performance. Our tests showed images were clearer and more vibrant from the 12 Pro Max but not by much.
The 12 Pro Max is worth looking at for budding movie-makers – it packs Dolby Vision recording at 4K, 60 frames per second.
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HDR can also improve the quality of your movies by enhancing their brightness and color. However, HDR can make it look artificial and take up more space on your phone. It’s not something that everyone should be looking to upgrade.
The 12 Pro Max comes with 128GB storage. This is the minimum amount we would expect. With 5G onboard, you can download content quicker, filling up your phone faster with music and movies.
Although 5G is the future in mobile connectivity, it’s not enough to justify the purchase of the iPhone 12 Pro Max. This feature will be redundant in many areas that don’t yet have 5G coverage. Connectivity will increase in the coming years, so buying a 5G iPhone is like future-proofing to better enjoy the next-gen speeds if you don’t live in a major city.
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5G generally brings faster speeds, though it is slower than Wi-Fi for many. So you may not feel that something’s missing in your life.
Apple’s MagSafe technology has been added to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It allows you to attach accessories, chargers, and cases magnetically to your iPhone, which is a great addition, and we love it. MagSafe will only improve over time as more accessories are always coming out. The iPhone 12 Pro Max will ensure that you have the best accessories for the future.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a larger screen and a longer battery life. It is due to the large chassis. In our testing, the battery lasted for over a day. Even on the most demanding days, the battery lasted until 7:30 PM.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the iPhone for you if you are looking for the best Apple smartphone. This smartphone is an excellent choice because of its large display and brilliant camera. It also has a longer battery life, a better camera, and a grunty inside. This is the phone for you if your hands can bear the extra weight and your wallet can handle the higher price. If the Pro Max is too much for you or your budget, then the iPhone 12 Pro is a better option. The iPhone 12 Pro has similar features and performance but without the extended battery life.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Prices and Release Dates:
- Went on sale November 6, 2020
- Started at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 for 128GB storage
- Was up to $1,399/£1,399/AU$2,369 512GB
iPhone 12 Pro Max Pre-Orders Opened November 6, 2020. You can still buy the phone anywhere in the world.
Starting at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 128GB storage. The price rises to $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,019 256GB and $1,399 /£1,399 / AU$2,369 512GB.
This product is no longer available from Apple directly, but it should still be available at third-party retailers offering discounts.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Specs:
Weight: 228g
Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4mm
Display size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 12840 x 2778
Chipset: A14 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Pre-installed software: iOS 14
Battery: 3,687mAh Charging: 15W wired, 7.5W wireless
The iPhone 12 Pro Max does more than just make the iPhone 12 Pro bigger. This iPhone 12 Pro Max has the largest display on any iPhone with a 6.7-inch screen. The iPhone 12 Pro Max (from $1099) lives up to its name in many other ways. It has a more advanced camera than the regular iPhone 12 Pro and a significantly longer battery life.
You get the same lightning-fast A14 Bionic chip as the iPhone 12 models and 5G connectivity. This phone is the one to buy if you want all of the above. This is worth the extra $100 over regular Pro. Absolutely. Apple announced the iPhone 12 Pro Max on October 13, 2020. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro are available now, the company decided to release the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max later.
iPhone 12 Pro Max design:
Before starting let us be clear about the things that people mostly didn’t like about the phone in the start
- Very big for an iPhone
- Uncomfortable-to-hold, flat edges
- Prominent camera bump
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is huge. Even though it is only a few millimeters larger than the iPhone 12, Pro Max, it remains one of Apple’s largest iPhones. Thanks to the squared edges of the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max, it feels heavier in hand.
The phone’s angular edges make it less comfortable to hold than the iPhone 11 Pro Max with its more round sides. The curved sides are easier to fit into your palm.
The Pro Max’s key feature is its use of more mature colors. The outside of the phone is a shiny stainless-steel band. This, along with the rear accent, is now available in Graphite (Graphite), Gold, Silver, and Pacific Blue.
The shiny outer rim is pretty, but it attracts fingerprints. You’ll need to polish it regularly if you want it to look new and premium. With the high price tag, you would expect a premium-looking phone. The iPhone 12 Pro Max in Gold looks excellent.
The design of the 12 Pro Max is a larger version of the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro. It fits comfortably in your hand and can easily hit the Siri/screen lock buttons on the left and volume keys on the right.
The protrusion means that the iPhone 12 Pro Max will rock from side to side when placed on a table. The bump is so apparent that most people will think of putting a case over the iPhone to flatten it.
This is the biggest iPhone Apple has made. It measures 160.8mm x 78.1mmx 7.4mm and feels slightly bigger in your hand than the 11 Pro Max.
Before you buy, be prepared for some annoying things. Apple has removed the charging Brick as well as the Earpods from its box. At purchase, you will receive a USB-C-to-Lightning charging cable. This differs from the standard USB-A-to-Lightning cable Apple has been using for years.
While the USB-C cable charges your iPhone faster, you will need to buy a charging block from Apple for $19/ £19/ AU$29 to make it work.
Apple is making a mistake by doing this. It claims it is doing this to reduce electronic waste. However, even though everyone has charging blocks, it’s unlikely that anyone will have enough to set the new cable.You will need to add the cost of a new charging station to the already high price of the 12 Pro Max.
Here’s the key takeaway: If you want a giant iPhone and all its benefits, you will enjoy the design of the larger model. But you won’t be able to reach every corner with your thumb.
- OLED Screen with 1284×2778 resolution
- Ceramic Shield offers extra protection
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the largest display of any iPhone ever created – that in itself is a good reason to upgrade.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is an incredible phone compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. This is the difference between a flagship phone that you can use comfortably with one hand and one that you cannot.
You get an immersive and larger display in return. This allows for more content to be displayed at once and gives you a larger keyboard and mini-movie theater in your pocket.
The notch on the iPhone 12 Pro remains pretty large, but the TrueDepth camera still comes in handy for Face ID. Apple should integrate Touch ID into the display and the power button, just like it did with the iPad Air.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max weighs in at 6.33×3.07x 0.29 inches and 8.03 ounces. Apple has trimmed the border around the screen to give you a larger display, but it is still relatively large. This time, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is even tougher. The front of the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a Ceramic Shield display that is four times more resistant to drops and has a better IP68 rating, which means it can withstand water drop rates down to 6 meters.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is more luxurious than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The new iPhone 12 Pro Max looks more premium than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. This is due to its sleeker, flat-edged design. My unit’s polished, gleaming stainless steel was especially striking. It’s like a piece of jewelry for your smartphone. The finish is quick to pick up fingerprints.
Other than gold, there are different colors such as graphite, silver, and the striking Pacific Blue that I love on my regular iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch OLED screen is smaller than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s 6.9-inch OLED panel. However, it is brighter than the iPhone 12 Pro. Stranger Things was a colorful explosion that nearly made me forget I was holding the phone.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the best color accuracy display ever. The panel scored 0.07 on the Delta-E test, which is near perfect. The Note 20 Ultra scored 0.24.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s screen averaged 654 nits in our lab tests, while the Galaxy’s display was slightly brighter at 662 nits. However, the iPhone’s screen was easier to read outdoors in direct sunlight.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max lacks a smooth 120Hz rate, which would have allowed for smoother scrolling, just like the Samsung flagships. We are looking forward to the iPhone 13.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Cameras:
- 12MP – main, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras
- Best photography iPhone
- 12MP front-facing camera
The rear of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is where the most compelling reason to upgrade lies the array of cameras. There are three 12MP cameras: the standard wide, ultrawide, and 2.5x Telephoto Zoom. They were all upgraded last year with Night Mode for the ultra-wide sensor and the primary shooter.
Although you may think there is little to no difference between the 12 Pro Max & the 12 Pro, Apple has made the Pro Max your choice for the best iPhone camera experience.
This is possible thanks to the new iPhone. Because the sensor is larger inside, it can absorb more light and take brighter and clearer photos. It eliminates the need for a separate camera. It’s simple: the 12 Pro Max is the only way to get the best pictures with your iPhone.
Apple has made a lot of ‘computational photos’. The chipset in the iPhone 12 range is intelligent enough to recognize what it’s seeing and adjust the image accordingly. Deep Fusion, introduced last year on Apple’s iPhones, can analyze images pixel-by-pixel to produce the best possible post-capture result.
The new Smart HDR 3 capability looks for different scenes when the photo is taken, grabbing multiple exposures and stitching them together intelligently to give you the best picture. At the same time, Night mode, which requires you to keep the phone still for a varying amount of time (depending on the conditions), can turn a dark, gloomy setting into a vibrant scene.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has significantly upgraded, especially in low-light situations. The images from darker scenes look brighter and more vibrant when cropped in. Smart HDR found more elements in the image to enhance and improve this year. We took many pictures we would happily hang on the wall without editing.
After spending hours taking photos with the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 11 Pro Max, some things became apparent. The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s enormous sensor lets in more light than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. This is in addition to the vibrant, clear, and detailed photos that the iPhone 12 Pro Max takes.
Although the LiDAR sensor is still a new technology on an iPhone 12 Pro or Pro Max, it allows you to take Night Mode portraits and makes the images more precise and more vivid. Although the sensor is supposed to speed up autofocus, we have never had any issues with it.
It was difficult to capture fast-moving images in low light, such as someone jumping. Night Mode is where the iPhone 12 Pro Max shines. The exposure is more balanced this year. Night Mode can be used for 30 seconds to bring dark scenes to life if the lighting is low enough and the camera is mounted on a tripod. In 30 seconds, we could see a much more balanced picture with good detail.
You might expect that if you want to use the zoom lens in night mode, that it would actually use that telephoto lens. We found that the iPhone still uses the lower-aperture primary camera and digitally crops the image rather than using optical zoom with night mode. The primary sensor has a better ability to absorb light (f/1.6 than f/2.2), but it produces more digital noise.
Another complaint we have is the selfie portrait mode. This uses the front-facing camera to take pictures. While it is more professional and can handle stray hairs, it isn’t as effective as the other modes. This detracts from the effect, especially since most people can’t maintain beautiful hair daily. Or, well, ever.
The rear-facing cameras offer more powerful performance and can be used in mixed lighting conditions. They can capture low-light details and natural skin tones.
Optical image stabilization (where the entire sensor moves to reduce judder while moving) it’s an excellent feature. This, combined with Dolby Vision (a powerful HDR recording that distinguishes between darker and lighter elements more prominently), allows you to make some truly stunning movies. Dolby Vision videos have a brighter look but can overexpose certain areas. Turning off Dolby Vision can be a good option if you prefer your films to look more natural.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a great camera, but it isn’t as good as the standard 12 Pro. The Pro Max produced the most vivid and vibrant photos, and we were able to get better results with it. However, this also shows how computational photography is an integral part of this process, and that power is present on the 12 Pro and Pro Max in equal measure.
iPhone 12 Pro Max 5G, MagSafe, iOS & Performance:
- MagSafe offers much functionality
- The most powerful phone at launch
- 5G provides fast data speeds
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s main feature is the camera (in our opinion), the most significant changes are the addition of 5G, MagSafe, and the rest of the iPhone 12 range.
Our iPhone 12 review and iPhone 12 Pro Review have covered some of our findings in detail. In terms of the new features, we’ve observed that they perform exactly the same on the 12 Pro Max.
We won’t go into detail here as we did in the reviews. But here’s what we found with these new toys on iPhone 12 Pro Max.
1) 5G:
Apple was faced with a dilemma regarding 5G. Should it wait for the technology to mature and be widely deployed around the globe so that most of its customers have access to the ultra-fast, low latency network? It would be less able to influence how technology is implemented and spend more time adapting. Or does it go earlier, put 5G on every new phone and drive it in the direction it wants, getting people excited for this new technology. Even though it’s not something many people can use, thanks to the 5G infrastructure being a long way from widespread?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max chose the second option. Doing some speed tests proved that you can get some dizzying download rates, with 400Mbps clocked in and around London. Large media and apps are downloaded much faster than ever before. However, it is hard to say if we were particularly slow on 4G. 5G is just as fast.
We had to travel to a larger city for 5G testing to occur. Although we don’t live in the country, 5G has not yet landed there, so this feature will likely be redundant. Apple has made it so that 5G will soon be available in your area, infact the coming iPhone 14 fill have the fully working 5G all around the world where 5G is availble. It’ll be a great bonus, and your phone can connect. However, it’s not an overwhelming reason to upgrade. Plus, you’ll see how it affects battery life.
2) Magsafe:
MagSafe is an Apple innovation that we love. MagSafe is a magnetic ring hidden in the iPhone 12 range’s rear case. It allows you to attach accessories, chargers, and cases to your iPhone, opening up new possibilities.
Imagine snap-on gaming controllers and projectors in the future. Apple’s addition to this range will inspire accessory makers to enhance the iPhone. We already see new cases, car vent mount mounts, and tripod add-ons, which make it easy to expand the functionality of your iPhone.
MagSafe’s chip can communicate with iPhone 12 to ensure the device is acting correctly. This means that wireless MagSafe chargers can provide faster wireless charges as the iPhone 12 can recognize it from a trusted source.
The wallet snap-on allows you to access your bank cards by popping on and off your phone’s rear. We found it a bit difficult to use, and although it isn’t ideal that you must remove it each time you pay for something, it is another example of innovation.
We’re expanding our range of MagSafe accessories. Soon we’ll have PopSockets, which will attach magnetically to your iPhone to make it more secure. MagSafe, like 5G, is a technology that’s for the future. But it looks like it will be here in the next few months rather than years.
3) iOS 15:
The iPhone 12 Pro Max was launched with iOS 14, but it now supports iOS 15, the most recent version of its software. This will not take long as all iPhones are the same software. However, iOS 15 is based on iOS 14 and adds SharePlay, FaceTime improvements, and a Focus mode to divide notifications throughout the day.
There are more minor updates between iOS 14 & iOS 15, including App Tracking Transparency and Apple Fitness Plus. All in all, iOS is the best iOS has ever been. However, you don’t have to spend that much to enjoy it.
4) Performance:
The iPhone 12 Pro Max was our most powerful iPhone at launch. It still performs superbly. The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s A14 Bionic chipset is still an excellent choice for a smartphone CPU. This device is very close to the Pro. Both have 6GB RAM and an upgraded GPU. Expect this device to surpass all benchmarks in multitasking and gaming.
You need to see beyond the numbers. It’s what it does day-to-day that counts. However, most flagship smartphones can handle almost any app you throw at them these days. We were amazed at the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s performance. Given the number of apps available on the iPhone, including editing media and high-quality gaming, it is reasonable to expect a fast phone.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Battery Life:
- One full day of
- The iPhone 12s Best Battery Life
- Charges of up to 48%
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the most extended battery life and is recommended for those who want a highly portable iPhone. It’s larger in size, which means it has more storage and delivers the best performance on the iPhone 12 range.
The battery life of the iPhone 11 Pro Max is comparable in general to that of the iPhone 11 Pro Max. However, it will vary depending on how often you use the phone or whether you use it more casually at home.Because the iPhone is currently locked down, constant 5G connections are not something that we were able to test on the new iPhone. We did notice a drop in battery performance when using 5G speeds, just like the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro. A 26-minute YouTube test with 5G took 7%, while the same test with 4G areas took only 3%.
Although this is not the most scientific test, it was due to the inability to use 5G for long periods. The 12 Pro Max seems to have the same findings as other iPhones: 5G is more expensive for battery life.
Apple will reduce your 5G speeds when it feels you don’t require it. This happens mostly when you aren’t using your phone for streaming audio or updating apps. When it happens, it will still show a 5G sign on your device, so you won’t know when it’s deliberately slowed down to conserve battery.
We had a significant issue with the smaller iPhone 12 and 12 Pro batteries. They would often not last the entire day, especially if they were not connected to Wi-Fi. The iPhone 12 Pro Max does not have this problem even when used for more resource-intensive tasks.
In fact, we tried our hardest to run the battery down so we could conduct our charging test. We used Spotify to a great extent, but it took us until 7:30 PM to reach absolute zero. It was despite the fact that we had been intermittently beating the battery throughout the day.
We lost 60% in 20 hours of regular use in mixed Wi-Fi and 4G areas. This included some camera usage, Spotify on a 90-minute run, and YouTube testing. This is a slow, pleasant descent consistent with the previous Plus / Max iPhone performance.
You can get a fast charging time if you don’t give in to Apple’s unfair pressure and purchase the 20W charger.
It was plugged in from dead and reached 48% battery life within 30 minutes. This is less than 2% less than Apple claims. The iPhone 12 Pro Max was also connected to an Apple Watch, which would have mitigated that finding. The final 20% took a while to charge.
Apple claims that the iPhone will learn about your charging habits and apply the most juice when it feels the time is right. However, if you need to get as much power as possible before going out or on the commute home, it will be limited at first.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s battery life isn’t as good as other iPhone models, but it is better than any iPhone model in recent years. There are rumors that the Pro Max’s battery is smaller than the 2019 model to make room for the 5G modem. If that is important to you and you can live with the small size, the 12 Pro Max should be your next iPhone.
