Comparing iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro Max: Is an Upgrade Worth It?

Those who haven't upgraded their iPhone 12 yet are slowly considering newer models, and in this review, we will compare the iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max. There are indeed several differences between them, but are they significant enough to justify an exchange?

iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max specs

Design difference between iPhone 12 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max

It's worth noting right away that there haven't been any revolutionary design changes in the past two years, and buying a new model for this reason is definitely not worth it. At first glance, the smartphones are hard to distinguish. The rear panel of both devices is made of matte glass and features a triple main camera, while the flat side edges are made of stainless steel.

On the front panel, at first glance, there don't seem to be any drastic changes, but upon closer inspection, you can notice that the bezels around the display have been reduced, and the annoying notch has been replaced by a more compact dynamic island that can be used to control the device.

There aren't many differences in the iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max size.. The smartphones have the same height, with the 14 Pro being 0.5mm wider and 0.45mm thicker. The weight difference is 12g, making the newer model slightly heavier than its younger counterpart. However, such a distinction is hardly critical. For comparison, the iPhone 12 Pro Max size vs iPhone 14 Plus also show minor differences, but the Plus variant is much lighter, weighing only 203g.

Water resistance has not been improved; it remains at the same high level — an IP68 rating allows the phone to survive after being submerged at a depth of 6 meters for half an hour. However, it's worth noting that water submersion is not covered by warranty, and tests are conducted in fresh water, so it's better to avoid experiments and take good care of the phone during water-related activities. However, there's no need to worry about rain; the iPhone is safe in those conditions.

Traditionally, the Pro series in Cupertino features soft, subdued color options. Both phones are available in gold and silver, with subtle variations in shades. For example, in the 14th model, these colors have a cooler tone. The graphite color in the iPhone 12 Pro has been replaced with black, which has a slightly deeper hue. The attractive dark blue color, which looked so good on the iPhone 12, has been removed in the new model, and a dark purple option has been added. This is a matter of personal preference, but both shades look very appealing.

What do we have in the end? Minor differences in iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max dimensions, slightly larger cameras on the new model, narrower screen bezels, and one new color option.

Display and Performance iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 ProMax

We have already mentioned the dynamic island replacing the "notch," and this is one of the key differences in the screen that is visible to the eye. Thanks to this change, the smartphone looks much neater. Considering the functional capabilities of the new interactive panel, this solution seems even more successful.

In terms of Display Quality and size of iPhone 12 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max, there are almost no differences. Both models feature a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, with a slight variation in resolution and pixels per inch. From a display perspective, the phones offer beautiful and accurate colors, but the maximum brightness is better in the newer smartphone—2000 nits compared to 1200 nits.

Meanwhile, the 14 Pro has also gained a better refresh rate. While the older model has only 60 Hz, which is already quite low in modern standards, the new one achieves a Display Technology rate ranging from 1-120 Hz. This affects the smoothness of scrolling, enhances the User Experience with applications and games, and also helps conserve the phone's energy.

And yes, when comparing iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone 14 Pro Max, it can be noted that the 14 now finally has an Always-On display, which has long been a market trend and exists in all mid-range Android smartphones. However, even such, Apple's product strategy does not affect brand loyalty among customers. Let's hope that someday this "innovation" will reach the company's basic smartphones, not just the premium ones. Although the Apple Ecosystem is quite conservative.

The phones are equipped with different processors, reflecting two years of technological advancement. But how does it translate to real-world performance? Performance analysis shows that the new A16 Bionic Chip, introduced at that time, is not only faster but also more energy-efficient than its predecessor. It boasts a higher maximum frequency and is built on a 4nm manufacturing process.

Processor performance in the iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 12 Pro mac, as indicated by various benchmark tests, consistently shows approximately a 26% improvement over the iPhone 12 Pro Max. This represents a significant hardware improvement. While the older phone still remains quite fast among competitors, considering that three generations of newcomers have been released, it becomes challenging for it to compete with them.

There is no difference in the amount of RAM, but the newcomer got a larger storage capacity of 1 TB – a size that will certainly accommodate all applications and media files.

iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max Camera Capabilities

Here, the dissimilarity between Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs 12 Pro Max are more considerable. Yes, the phones are equipped with a triple camera, and all of them, in addition to the major sensor, also have an ultra-wide and telephoto sensor.

But the new model received an enlarged main sensor, which now has a resolution of 48 MP instead of 12 MP. Camera Comparison showed that this allows the phone to capture more detailed photos and also enables a two-fold optical zoom without loss of quality. This will definitely appeal to enthusiasts who enjoy taking portraits. Despite the phone's settings still capturing at 12 MP resolution, combining four pixels into one makes the photos sharper and clearer, even when taking low light photography.

The significant improvement in photo quality is also influenced by the introduction of the Photographic Engine technology, a comprehensive set of algorithms that enhance the quality of pictures.

When comparing the Video Capabilities of Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs 12 Pro Max, the new smartphones have also received several improvements. The phone supports:

• Cinematic mode, which allows blurring the background in videos,
• Action mode stabilization, reducing shake and enabling shooting decent videos in active motion,
• ProRes for saving and editing video recordings with maximum detail in a compressed format.

Software and Additional Features Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs 12 Pro Max

The phones have identical iOS capabilities and user interface, as both run on the latest 17th version of the software. However, the 14th model has received some new software features. For example, this phone model includes the detection of emergencies, where the phone can call for assistance, and emergency features with the ability to use the SOS signal by using satellite communication.

In other aspects, the tech specifications of iPhone 12 ProMax vs 14 ProMax are similar: both feature support for 5G networks and Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity, with the 14th model having the newer Bluetooth 5.3 standard.

When it comes to Upgrade Considerations for iPhone 12 Max vs 14 Max we know that the company supports its devices in the long term. However, it's important not to forget that the 12 Pro is already three years old, which means it has only two or three more years of updates remaining. Or you have another two or three years in reserve.

iPhone 14 Pro Max battery life vs 12 Pro Max and Phone Charging

If we compare the iPhone 12 Pro Max battery vs 14 Pro Max, we will see an increase in capacity, albeit a small one. In the three-year-old smartphone, it was 3687 mAh, while in the new model, it reaches 4323 mAh.

If we compare the iPhone 12 Pro Max size vs iPhone 14 plus,, the battery capacity in the larger base model is 4325 mAh. That is almost as much as the maximum.

What did the larger battery give to the phone? In fact, the configuration of energy-efficient internals and adaptive screen frequency allowed for a 9-hour increase in movie playback time, a 13-hour increase in streaming, and a 15-hour increase in audio playback. If we compare iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Plus, the 14th has a corresponding advantage of 6, 8, and 20 hours for the same criteria.

For charging in both phones, Lightning is used. And this cannot be unequivocally called a plus or a minus. Of course, Type-C has greater compatibility with a huge number of gadgets, but Consumer Reviews also point out that it gets dirty faster and breaks more often.

Pricing and Deals

The product launch took place in September three and one year ago, respectively. Upon the release of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the phone was priced starting from $1099 for the base version. The other two configurations were sold at prices of $1199 and $1399, respectively.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max had similar price points when it was introduced in 2022, with the version featuring a terabyte of storage priced at $1599. Both models are now discontinued, but you can find sales offers on websites or purchase refurbished models.

For those who have decided to purchase a new phone, compare iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max shows that it is a good choice, especially considering that the gadget can now be purchased at a lower price than at the initial launch.