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iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB — A14 · iOS · 128GB
Apple

iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB

A14 · iOS · 128GB

85
/ 100
From $1,099
VS
iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) wins by 11
iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) — A18 Pro · iOS · 512GB · Unlocked
Apple

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

A18 Pro · iOS · 512GB · Unlocked

96
/ 100
From $1,399
Specdex verdict

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB lands at 85 and iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) at 96. That puts iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) ahead by 11 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware

Pick iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Photography

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

Stills and video quality across lenses

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) leads on camera (95 vs 84).

Battery life

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

Screen-on time and charging

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) leads on battery (90 vs 79).

Performance

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) leads on cpu (96 vs 85).

Display

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) leads on display (93 vs 82).

Value for money

iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB more score per dollar ($1,099 vs $1,399).

iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB 85
vs
96 iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

Score breakdown

iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB
85
cpu 85
gpu 83
camera 84
battery 79
display 82
design 85
iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)
96
cpu 96
gpu 94
camera 95
battery 90
display 93
design 96

Specs side-by-side

iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB versus iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) — full spec comparison
Spec iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)
Chipset
A14
A18 Pro
Storage
128GB
▲ 512GB
OS
iOS 14
iOS 18
Release year
2020
2024

iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

FAQ: iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB vs iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)

Which is better, iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 11. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB worth the price? +

At $1,099, iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in cpu.

Is iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) worth the price? +

At $1,399, iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.

Does iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for photography, iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) — leads on camera (95 vs 84). Stills and video quality across lenses.

Which is better for battery life, iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB (Unlocked) — leads on battery (90 vs 79). Screen-on time and charging.