Why buy an Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Mozillion iPhone 12 Pro Max review
Ridiculously fast and smooth
Beautiful photos on a huge, beautiful screen
Simply peak iPhone
Not convinced? Try one of these alternatives to an Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
iPhone 12 - nearly as good, but it costs a chunk less
iPhone 12 Pro - almost as epic, but not as big
Google Pixel 5 - less stylish and powerful, but still a great phone for less
Introduction
If you’re after the best phone money can buy, look no further than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Big, beautiful, and full of features, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is simply peak iPhone. Upgrades over lesser models include its huge 6.7” screen, and high-end camera features that can embarrass even pro equipment. A true design icon, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is water resistant, has an all-day battery, and now supports a range of mag-safe accessories.
Design
Let’s face it, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a little on the big side. Even with Apple’s glorious edge-to-edge design, the 6.7” screen dictates a bigger than average phone. All of Apple’s trademark design flourishes are intact, though, so this is still a truly beautiful device.
Like other iPhone 12s, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has only a single Lightning connector, used for charging and data. The phone can be expanded and enhanced via the new family of MagSafe wireless chargers, and other accessories including cases and car mounts.
Camera
Apple has really pushed the boundaries of camera performance for the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It shares a similar three-lens setup to the iPhone 12 Pro, but with greater telephoto performance, it offers an even wider 5x optical zoom range - and a 12x digital zoom. With a LIDAR scanner for low-light excellence, and sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, the iPhone 12 Pro Max deals with anything you could want to shoot.
Video
When it comes to video, the iPhone 12 Pro Max narrowly manages to outperform even the mighty iPhone 12 Pro. Both phones include pro features, such as 4k and HDR Dolby Vision video at up to 60 frames per second. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s sensor shift optical image stabilisation means that all three of its lenses are stabilised, for consistently shake-free recording.
Display
Without doubt, the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s display offers the biggest difference between it and other iPhone 12s. For a start, it’s bigger, measuring 6.7” rather than 6.1” diagonally. Apple has packed in more pixels, up from 2,532x1,170 to a monstrous 2,778x1,284 - the 458 pixel-per-inch dot pitch is almost identical to the iPhone 12 Pro. With more space and resolution, it’s great for gaming, and ideal for multimedia or creative apps.
Processor
All the new iPhone 12 models benefit from the Apple A14 Bionic chip. Apple says it’s the fastest processor in any smartphone, and who are we to doubt it? Capable of one trillion operations a second, the A14 might seem like overkill for those group WhatsApp messages, but it helps make all iPhone 12 models great for gaming. Get the camera and screen upgrades fitted to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and you’ve got the ultimate portable creative workstation.
Battery
With its frankly bonkers processor and sprawling screen, you might expect to charge the iPhone 12 Pro Max frequently. But happily a bigger battery together with smart, energy saving hardware means this phone can play back video for up to 20 hours on a full charge - perfect for even the longest day’s filming.
Colours & Options
While the regular iPhone 12 has an aluminium body, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is surgical stainless steel. You can have it in one of four colours unique to iPhone Pro models: Pacific blue, gold, graphite or silver. And if you don’t feel like leaving your range-topping phone naked, Apple offers a choice of MagSafe accessories including cases and car mounts.
iPhone 12 Pro models get a useful storage upgrade over the iPhone 12, starting out with a minimum of 128GB, and topping out at a whopping 512GB. There’s no SD Card slot, so you can’t add further space yourself. Like other recent iPhones, you won’t find earbuds or a charger with your iPhone 12 Pro Max. The phone has no 3.5mm socket, but you can buy EarPods with a Lightning connector if you’re not ready to go wireless.