iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: One of the Best iPhones Yet

The iPhone 12 Pro Max launched over two years ago, but it is still one of the best iPhones available today. With powerful hardware, an excellent camera system, and lengthy software support from Apple, it has aged like fine wine.

When the iPhone first launched back in 2020, it stood out for bringing new features. Four years later, it still competes against even the latest Android flagships.

But should you buy an iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2024? Read on to find out if the iPhone 12 Pro Max is justified and whether it deserves a spot in your pocket.

Product Breakdown and Review

The iPhone 12 Pro Max was Apple’s flagship smartphone in 2020-2021. To date, the device remains a worthwhile investment. While using the phone, here are two features that stood out to me making it truly special:

• The massive 6.7-inch OLED display with a 2 million:1 contrast ratio and up to 1200 nits brightness making it excellent for watching HDR videos and playing games.

• The advanced triple rear camera system with 12MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, along with a LIDAR scanner that enables portrait shots.

As the successor to the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the 12 Pro Max greatly outperformed competitors in benchmarks at the time.? Even in 2024, it stands as an important milestone in Apple’s iPhone evolution, pushing boundaries with its 5G connectivity, advanced cameras, and swift processor.

Pros

• All-day battery life: The large 3687mAh battery easily lasts over a day of use. You can even stretch it to 1.5 days with lighter usage.
• 5G connectivity: The iPhone 12 Pro max offers the fastest 5G speeds available on any smartphone.?
• Blazing fast performance: Thanks to the A14 Bionic processor, the device flies through any app or game. It is perfect for creative workloads too like editing 4K videos or running augmented reality apps.
• Durable ceramic shield display: The ceramic shield front glass is tough. It has 4 times better drop performance, so your display is less prone to cracks and scratches.?

Cons

• Heavy and bulky: At 8.03 oz (228g), the device is one of the heaviest phones compared to newer phones.?
• No charging brick included: To cut down on waste, Apple doesn’t include the wall charging brick or headphones in the box. You will need to supply your USB-C lightning cable and 20W+ fast charger to power up quickly.

Product Features

Let us take a look at 3 main key features of the iPhone 12 Pro Max that stack up against today’s standards:

1. Large and Beautiful OLED Display

The 6.7-inch OLED display on the iPhone 12 Pro Max remains impressive even today. With its crisp 2778×1284 resolution and excellent brightness of up to 1200 nits,? deep blacks, and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, the screen provides an immersive experience for movies, games, and photos. Very few competing smartphones today have OLED screens of this size.

2. 5G Connectivity

As 5G networks have been built out and expanded from 2020 to 2024, iPhone 12 Pro Max users can still take full advantage of fast 5G speeds and low latency in most areas. Its 5G capabilities outpace many cheaper 2021-2024 phones with limited 5G bands.

3. Pro-grade Triple Rear Camera System

The triple 12MP camera system including wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses is still versatile in 2024. It captures excellent photos and videos compared to most newer phones. The LiDAR scanner also allows portrait mode-like shots not matched by some current phones.

Who is the iPhone 12 Pro Max Best Suited For?

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is best suited for:

• Creative professionals who need the top iPhone camera and performance.
• Smartphone shoppers who want the absolute best iPhone with an excellent battery life.
• Anyone who wants a huge and beautiful OLED screen.

Alternatives to the iPhone 12 Pro Max

Here are 3 alternatives worth considering to the iPhone 12 Pro Max:

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra – This phone is a top Android alternative. It boasts a similarly large 6.8-inch AMOLED display with an adaptive 120HZ refresh rate. The Snapdragon 888 chip rivals Apple’s A14 Bionic in benchmarks.

Google Pixel 9 Pro- This device offers a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, Google’s custom Tensor chip, 12GB RAM, and a 50 MP primary camera.

OnePlus 10 Pro- The OnePlus 10 Pro offers a 6.7-inch QHD+ display. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 80W fast charging, and Hasselblad branded camera system.

Final Verdict

The iPhone 12 Pro Max lives up to the hype as one of the best iPhones Apple has ever made. With game-changing additions like the advanced triple camera system and ceramic shield display, the device ticks all the boxes. It is still a valuable investment and reliable choice.

FAQs

Should I upgrade to the iPhone 12 Pro Max from an older iPhone?

Yes. If you have an iPhone XS Max or older, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a worthy upgrade.

How long does the iPhone 12 Pro Max battery last?

With average use, the iPhone 12 Pro Max battery can last over a day on a single charge.