iPhone 11 Pro Max Vs iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Starting at
€225.00
€939.00 new
See options
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Starting at
€283.00
€1,139.00 new
See options

Ratings

The iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019) and iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020) are flagship smartphones from Apple, representing consecutive generations of their top-tier large-screen devices. While both offer a premium iOS experience with advanced camera systems and vibrant OLED displays, the iPhone 12 Pro Max introduces significant upgrades including 5G connectivity, a more powerful processor, and enhanced durability features.

Scores

Durability

When considering their practical lifespan, both devices benefit from Apple's long-term software support, though the newer model naturally offers a longer update window.

  • OS Support Duration: The iPhone 11 Pro Max launched with iOS 13 and is upgradeable to iOS 26.1, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max launched with iOS 14.1 and is upgradeable to iOS 26.2, indicating the latter will receive software updates for approximately one year longer.
  • Water and Dust Resistance: Both models feature an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The iPhone 11 Pro Max can withstand submersion up to 4 meters for 30 minutes, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro Max improves upon this, tolerating depths of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
  • Display Durability: The iPhone 12 Pro Max introduces a Ceramic Shield front cover, which enhances drop performance and overall display toughness compared to the scratch-resistant glass on the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Year of Release

2019

2020

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance differences between these two generations largely stem from their respective processors and RAM configurations, impacting responsiveness and multitasking capabilities.

  • Processor Capabilities: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is equipped with the A13 Bionic chip, providing robust performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications. The iPhone 12 Pro Max features the A14 Bionic chip, which offers improved CPU and GPU speeds, resulting in smoother operation for intense gaming and professional-grade apps.
  • RAM and Multitasking: The iPhone 11 Pro Max includes 4GB of RAM, efficiently handling most multitasking scenarios. The iPhone 12 Pro Max steps up to 6GB of RAM, providing greater overhead for keeping more applications open in the background and enhancing overall system fluidity.
  • Storage Options: Both models offer storage configurations of 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, and 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, with the 12 Pro Max starting at a higher base storage.

Memory

4 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

Both devices feature Super Retina XDR OLED displays, delivering excellent visual quality, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a slightly larger canvas and enhanced protection.

  • Display Size and Resolution: The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2688 by 1242 pixels. The iPhone 12 Pro Max expands to a 6.7-inch OLED display, offering a resolution of 2778 by 1284 pixels, both maintaining a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch for sharp visuals.
  • Brightness Levels: Both displays feature a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions and vibrant HDR content playback.
  • Display Protection: The iPhone 12 Pro Max introduces the Ceramic Shield front cover, which significantly improves drop performance compared to the iPhone 11 Pro Max's scratch-resistant glass.

Resolution

1242 x 2688

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both iPhones boast impressive triple-lens camera systems, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max includes advancements in sensor technology and computational photography.

  • Main Camera System: Both feature a triple 12MP camera setup including Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses. The iPhone 12 Pro Max's Wide camera has a larger sensor with 1.7µm pixels and a faster f/1.6 aperture, compared to the iPhone 11 Pro Max's 1.4µm pixels and f/1.8 aperture, allowing for better low-light performance.
  • Image Stabilization and Zoom: The iPhone 12 Pro Max introduces sensor-shift optical image stabilization for its Wide camera, providing superior stability, especially in challenging conditions. Its Telephoto lens also offers a 2.5x optical zoom in, an increase from the 11 Pro Max's 2x optical zoom.
  • Advanced Features: The iPhone 12 Pro Max incorporates a LiDAR Scanner for improved autofocus in low light and enables Night mode portraits. It also supports HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 60 frames per second, a feature not available on the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, both devices offer a range of connectivity and functional elements, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max introducing 5G and MagSafe.

  • Connectivity Standards: Both models support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0. A key differentiator is the iPhone 12 Pro Max's support for 5G cellular connectivity, offering faster network speeds where available, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max is limited to Gigabit-class LTE.
  • Charging and Ports: Both devices utilize the Lightning port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 12 Pro Max introduces MagSafe, an ecosystem for magnetic accessories and faster wireless charging, which is absent on the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
  • Design and Sensors: The iPhone 11 Pro Max has rounded stainless steel edges, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a flat-edge design. Both include Face ID for secure authentication. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is slightly thinner and has a marginally different weight.

Weight

226 g

226 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.7

Network

4G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

Lightning

User feedback often highlights the iPhone 11 Pro Max as a capable and reliable device, particularly praised for its consistent camera performance and solid battery life, even several years after its release. Common criticisms, especially compared to newer models, sometimes point to its lack of 5G connectivity and the slightly less durable screen.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max generally receives positive remarks for its leap in camera technology, particularly in low-light scenarios with the LiDAR scanner, and the inclusion of 5G, which provides a more future-proof connectivity experience. Its flat-edge design and enhanced display durability are also frequently appreciated. Some users might find the incremental battery life improvement over its predecessor to be less significant than expected, though it still offers extended usage.

For users who prioritize cutting-edge camera features, especially in challenging light, and require the latest 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is well-suited. Students and professionals who handle large files or frequently stream content may also benefit from its increased RAM and improved processor. Travelers seeking enhanced durability might also find the Ceramic Shield a valuable addition. The iPhone 11 Pro Max remains a strong contender for those seeking a robust and reliable smartphone for everyday tasks and good photography without needing the absolute latest features. Both models, available as quality-assured refurbished options, offer a sustainable choice for consumers looking to extend the life of electronic products.

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