Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch OLED display and weighs 228g, compared with the 6.9-inch screen and 249g body of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. The newer phone adds adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and raises maximum storage from 512GB to 2TB. The older model retains plenty of viewing space, while the newer Max is more appealing when smoother screen interaction and considerably more internal storage are useful.

Buying outright, the 12 Pro Max starts at £231 SIM-free.

Release Date
13 November 2020 18 September 2026
Expert Rating
4.4
12 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.9"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1284 x 2778 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch
457 458
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery
3,687 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS
iOS14 Apple iOS
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight
228 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
- £11.95/mo (£1055.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£231.00 £1297.00
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Release Date 13 November 2020 18 September 2026
Expert Rating 4.4
12 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.9"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1284 x 2778 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch 457 458
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery 3,687 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS iOS14 Apple iOS
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight 228 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts - £11.95/mo
£1055.00 upfront
SIM-free £231.00 £1297.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

128GB

Gold

Refurbished

From £231

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Silver

15GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11.95 a month, £1055 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max's 6.7", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £231.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the Apple A20 Pro (2 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is the more portable of the two: it's 21g lighter at 228 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm, and is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max run?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max runs iOS14 and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max runs Apple iOS. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.