Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Discover the Pros and Cons

Renowned for its elegant design, intuitive user experience, and seamless integration of hardware and software, Apple has captured the hearts of consumers worldwide. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, released in 2020, stands as a shining example in their trio of flagship smartphone devices.

In this detailed Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max review, we will delve into the iPhone 12 Pro Max, examining its features and specifications in detail. We will cover aspects such as performance, battery life, design, display, and other key features. By the end of this review, you’ll be well-equipped with all the information you need to make an informed decision about the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Related post to read: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Review.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Unboxing

When you purchase an iPhone 12 Pro Max, the contents of the box typically include:

• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• USB-C to Lightning cable
• SIM ejector tool
• Documentation and Apple stickers

Note that the package does not come with a power adapter or Ear Pods. This is part of Apple’s effort to reduce electronic waste and encourage customers to use their existing charging accessories. If you do not have a compatible power adapter or Ear Pods, you can purchase them separately from Apple or other third-party retailers.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Design

The back of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is made of frosted Gorilla Glass 6, and the display is shielded by solid ceramic shield glass that is both scratch- and shatterproof. Everything is held together by a stainless steel frame, and the glossy finish doesn’t offer much grip. 

The phone’s size and heft make it difficult for one-handed use.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is available in four colours: Graphite, Silver, Gold and Pacific Blue. The Graphite and Silver options have a matte finish, while the Gold and Pacific Blue have a glossy finish. All colours are made with Apple’s precision-milled stainless steel band and feature a ceramic shield front cover for added durability. The choice of colour is a matter of personal preference, but all options offer a premium look and feel.

Build Quality

The build quality of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is exceptional, as is expected from Apple’s high-end devices. The phone features a stainless steel frame and a glass back, with a ceramic shield front cover that provides extra protection against drops and scratches. The stainless steel frame is precisely machined and polished to give the phone a premium look and feel. The glass back has a frosted finish that adds a subtle texture and helps to reduce fingerprints and smudges.

One notable change from previous iPhone models is the flat-edge design, which gives the phone a more squared-off look reminiscent of older iPhone models like the iPhone 4 and 5. This design choice not only gives the phone a more unique look but also makes it easier to grip and hold.

Overall, the build quality of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is excellent. It is evident that Apple has put a lot of effort into making the device look and feel like a premium product.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Display 

Screen Specifications

Pixel Density	458ppi
Resolution	2778 x 1284
Aspect Ratio	19.5 : 9
Panel Type	OLED
Screen-to-body Ratio	87.4%
Touch Screen	Yes

Screen size

The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a large 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display. The increased screen size provides a more immersive viewing experience when watching movies, playing games, or browsing the web. Also, the large screen allows for larger fonts and icons, making it easier to read the text and navigate the device.

Refresh Rate

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 60Hz refresh rate, which means that the display refreshes the image on the screen up to 60 times per second. While a 60Hz refresh rate is lower than some other high-end smartphones that feature 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, it still provides a smooth and responsive user experience.

Brightness 

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a maximum brightness of 800 nits for regular content and 1200 nits for HDR content. The display is very bright and can be easily viewed even in direct sunlight or other bright environments. The high brightness also allows for vibrant colours and high contrast levels, making the device great for watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web.

In addition to the high brightness levels, the iPhone 12 Pro Max also features True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the colour temperature of the display to match the ambient lighting conditions. This provides a more natural and comfortable viewing experience, especially when using the device for extended periods of time.

Overall, the brightness levels of the iPhone 12 Pro Max are among the best in the smartphone market, and the combination of high brightness, True Tone technology, and HDR support make it a great device for media consumption and productivity tasks.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Input Device

Keyboard 

The keyboard on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a virtual keyboard that is displayed on the device’s touchscreen. It features a standard QWERTY layout with predictive text suggestions, autocorrect, and various other features to enhance typing accuracy and speed.

The keyboard on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is very responsive and provides haptic feedback when a key is pressed. Typing feels more natural and tactile. Additionally, the keyboard can be customized to suit the user’s preferences. It has options to change the key click sounds, adjust the size of the keys, and enable or disable features such as autocorrect and predictive text.

Touchpad

The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a Taptic Engine, which provides haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of pressing physical buttons or using a touchpad. This technology is used throughout the device to provide tactile feedback when performing various actions like typing.

The Taptic Engine on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is very precise and provides a range of different haptic feedbacks, depending on the type of action being performed. For example, it can provide a light tap to indicate a button press or a more intense vibration to indicate an error or confirmation.

Sound Quality

Speaker

There are two stereo speakers on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. One speaker is located at the bottom, and the earpiece serves as a second speaker in this hybrid setup. The speaker is superior to its predecessors in terms of quality. It has the richest mid-tones and the deepest bass. Also presented well are the high notes.

Microphone 

The iPhone 12 Pro Max features three microphones. They are located on the top, bottom, and rear of the device. The three microphones work together to capture high-quality audio in a variety of situations. The microphones use directional beam-forming technology to focus on the user’s voice and reduce background noise, which results in clearer and more natural-sounding audio recordings.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max also features spatial audio technology. This technology uses the device’s microphones to create a more immersive audio experience when watching videos or playing games. It simulates surround sound by adjusting the audio levels of different channels based on the orientation of the device and the user’s head position.

Performance 

In terms of performance, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has one of the best performances available today.  It is ideal for anyone who loves to perform light and heavy tasks such as day-to-day internet browsing and playing powerful modern games like Call of Duty Mobile.

Processor 

The Apple A14 Bionic chip, manufactured using a 5 mm process, is a more recent chipset than the one found in the iPhone 11 Pro Max. A Qualcomm 5G modem is built into the device, giving you access to 5G network speed. The thermal performance of this device is good; there is no thermal throttling during extended benchmarking or gaming sessions.

The device’s 6 GB of RAM helps it manage one of its most intriguing features, the LIDAR scanning technology. The iPad Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro both use this technology. To determine its distances, the LIDAR scanner fires a laser repeatedly and uses a specialized sensor to measure the laser’s reflections. 

LIDAR collects a lot of points, as opposed to the typical TOF camera found on most devices, to map out complex surfaces in 3D environments. This is helpful for more precise camera portraits, augmented reality, and measurement applications.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Battery Life

An internal 3678 MAH battery powers the iPhone 12 Pro Max. While it supports fast USB power delivery charging, the box does not contain a charger. Your phone can charge from 0% to 55% using Apple’s 20-watt charger in about 30 minutes. Additionally, this device supports a feature known as MagSafe. This makes it possible to fasten magnetic accessories to the phone’s back. This applies to accessories like wallets and the MagSafe wireless charger. The way the magnetic charger attaches to the phone’s back is kind of neat. The charging speed, though, isn’t exactly impressive, only getting to 30% in 30 minutes.

Features 

The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels and a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch. The display uses OLED technology, which delivers deep blacks and vibrant colours, as well as high contrast and brightness levels. The Super Retina XDR display also features True Tone technology, which adjusts the colour temperature of the screen to match the ambient lighting for a more natural viewing experience. The display also features a Ceramic Shield front cover, which is a new type of glass that Apple claims are the toughest ever used in a smartphone. This should provide added durability and protection against accidental drops and scratches. In addition to the high-resolution display, the iPhone 12 Pro Max also supports HDR content and features Dolby Vision and HDR10 video playback, which allows for a more immersive viewing experience when watching high-quality content. O

The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses Face ID recognition to wake up and unlock the device. It is super fast, reliable and secure. Initially, your face has to be visible to the camera and 3D scanner for the Face ID recognition to work, so no face masks. However, with subsequent IOS updates from Apple, this slight inconvenience has been fixed. You can now unlock your device even while having a face mask on.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a professional-grade camera system that includes a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 12MP wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The camera system is capable of capturing stunning photos and videos, with advanced features such as Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 3. It features ProRAW, a new image format that combines the benefits of RAW and computational photography. ProRAW allows photographers to capture more data and adjust settings such as exposure and white balance in post-processing.

This device supports 5G connectivity, which provides faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and improved overall performance when using data-intensive apps and services.

Additionally, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which is one of the fastest and most powerful smartphone chips available. It features a 6-core CPU, a 4-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, which provides up to 50% faster performance than the previous generation chip. The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a Ceramic Shield front cover, which is the toughest glass ever used in a smartphone. It provides up to 4x better drop performance than previous iPhone models.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a LiDAR Scanner, which uses laser technology to measure distance and depth. This technology enhances the camera’s capabilities, allowing for improved autofocus in low-light conditions, Night mode portraits, and more. it also has MagSafe, a new system that allows for wireless charging and easy attachment of accessories such as cases and wallets.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Specification 

RAM (Memory)	6 GB
Storage	128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
CPU	Hexa-core (2×3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4×1.8 GHz Icestorm)
GPU	Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
Dimensions	160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 in)
Weight	228 g (8.04 oz)
Colors	Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue

The Camera

Rear Camera

The triple 12-megapixel cameras on the iPhone 12 Pro Max are an improvement over its forerunners. The main camera has a much larger sensor and sensor-shift stabilization rather than optical image stabilization, while the ultrawide camera is identical to the iPhone 12 Pro’s. (OIS). The main camera’s images have good contrast, little noise, accuracy with balance, and true-to-life colours. Although the dynamic range is broad, it appears natural. You’ll be let down if you were hoping for a noticeably better outcome from the iPhone 12 Pro because there isn’t much of a difference in the images. The overall level of detail is nice, but when you look very closely, complex objects like grass, foliage, and window binds appear smeared and over-shaped.

The ultrawide camera takes fantastic pictures with an extremely wide field of view and nice distortion correction. Great contrast, accurate colour, and a respectably wide dynamic range are all delivered. The level of detail is acceptable, but rendering the foliage is once again difficult.

With a 2.5x optical zoom, the telephoto camera with OIS has a greater field of view. The photos taken at a 2.5x zoom are excellent. High contrast, accurate colours, lots of details, and a balanced dynamic range are all delivered. Although the foliage can be hit or miss, there are less obvious trouble spots than there are on the main camera. Due to the depth mapping capabilities of the LIDAR scanner, portraits on the 12 Pro Max are exceptional. By default, they are taken with a telephoto lens, and they are excellent, with excellent detail, contrast, and colours. Additionally, the backgrounds are lovely.

Night mode operates even more quickly than on the 12 Pro and activates automatically in low-light situations. The images taken with the primary camera have low noise, a balanced exposure, and well-retained saturated colours. The highlights are expertly handled, and the shadows appear realistic. With the primary camera, portraits can be taken at night, and the results are simply amazing. Bright and fantastic exposure.

The night mode is supported by the ultrawide camera, and while the images are soft and far from great, they are still acceptable. Depending on the amount of light, the telephoto lens will occasionally operate in night mode. The telephoto camera takes excellent pictures with lots of fine detail, even when night mode isn’t working.

With these cameras, 4K video can be captured. The main camera produces excellent 4k videos. They produce accurate colours, white balance, outstanding dynamic range, good contrast, and low noise. There is a lot of detail, even though occasionally the foliage may seem overly processed, but this isn’t a major issue. The ultrawide cam’s 4k footage has an exceptional dynamic range, good colours, and good contrast, but the resolved details are only average. The telephoto camera produces top-notch videos.

You can record HDR videos in the Dolby Vision dynamic HDR video format, just like with the other iPhone models. If you do, since the Dolby Vision data is saved separately, the videos will still appear normal on a non-HDR screen. For all cameras and resolutions, electronic stabilization is an option. As you would expect from an iPhone, it’s fantastic.

Selfie Camera

A 12MP front-facing camera is available on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. You can take a 12MP selfie or a 7MP photo that has been cropped and has a tighter focus. Rich detail, lifelike colours, well-managed noise, and a wide dynamic range all contribute to the excellent quality of this image. Selfie portraits are excellent, with impressive separation and refocused backgrounds, thanks to the 3D scanner on the front. The images are captured in the 7-megapixel field of view. Selfie videos can be taken in 4k resolution, and they are stunning images with lots of detail. 

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Portability 

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a large and relatively heavy smartphone, which may impact its portability for some users. The device measures 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm and weighs 228 g, making it larger and heavier than most other smartphones on the market. The large size of the iPhone 12 Pro Max may make it difficult to use with one hand, and it may not fit comfortably in smaller pockets or purses. Additionally, the weight of the device may cause some users to experience fatigue or discomfort when holding it for extended periods of time.

However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s size and weight are also a result of its large display and advanced camera system, which are key features of the device. Despite its size, the device is still relatively thin and lightweight compared to other devices with similar screen sizes, such as tablets. For users who prioritize a large display and advanced camera system, the size and weight of the device may be a reasonable tradeoff.

Serviceability 

The serviceability of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is generally considered to be low. The device is not designed to be easily repairable or upgradable. The device’s design is sleek and minimalistic, which makes it difficult to disassemble and repair without specialized tools and expertise. The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s battery is also not user-replaceable. You  must rely on authorized service providers to replace the battery if it needs to be serviced. Additionally, the device’s display and other internal components are tightly integrated, which makes them difficult to access and repair without specialized tools and training.

Apple offers repair and replacement services for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, both under warranty and out of warranty. However, these services can be expensive and may take some time to complete, particularly if the device needs to be sent to an Apple repair centre.

Connectivity 

Ports 

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has two ports; one charging port and another port to put in your physical SIM card.

Wireless connectivity 

Wi-Fi:	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth:	5.0, A2DP, LE
USB:	Lightning, USB 2.0
Wi-Fi features:	dual-band, hotspot

Software 

The iPhone 12 Pro Max originally came with IOS 14 that can be upgraded to Apple’s latest software. The major feature that came with IOS 14 is that the home screen supports widgets which you can stack together to save space. It has an application library. When you install your apps, they’ll be found there, and they are automatically sorted into categories.

Picture in picture mode lets you minimize a supported app into a floating window. You can multitask while keeping an eye on the videos you are watching. This works with streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube. 

You can also assign functions to a couple of new shortcuts which you’ll access by double or triple tapping on the back of your phone.

Buyer’s Guide

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a very good flagship device with a potent processor and a quick refresh rate. The mobile device can handle any type of workload without stuttering or lagging, thanks to the A14 bionic chipset. There is no room for expandable storage, but it is IP68-rated against dust and water.

How much is the iPhone 12 Pro Max?

The price of the iPhone 12 Pro Max varies depending on the storage capacity chosen. In the United Kingdom, the starting price of the iPhone 12 Pro Max with 128 GB of storage is £1,099. The 256 GB model is priced at £1,199, while the 512 GB model is priced at £1,399. These prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and any promotions or discounts that may be available at the time of purchase.

iPhone 12 Pro Max available series

The iPhone 12 Pro Max series is categorized by storage capacity; 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB.

Is the iPhone 12 Pro Max worth buying?

Whether the iPhone 12 Pro Max is worth buying depends on your personal needs and priorities. If you prioritize high-end performance, advanced camera capabilities, and a large and high-quality display, the iPhone 12 Pro Max may be a good choice for you. However, if you are on a budget or don’t need all the advanced features offered by the iPhone 12 Pro Max, there may be other smartphones on the market that better suit your needs.

Additionally, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is one of the most expensive smartphones on the market. So its high price tag may be a consideration for some users. If you are willing to pay a premium for top-of-the-line features and capabilities, the iPhone 12 Pro Max may be worth the investment.

3 Alternatives to the iPhone 12 Pro Max

Here are three alternatives to the iPhone 12 Pro Max:

• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a high-end smartphone with a large and high-quality display, advanced camera capabilities, and fast performance. It is priced similarly to the iPhone 12 Pro Max and offers similar features and capabilities.

• Google Pixel 6 Pro: The Google Pixel 6 Pro is a flagship smartphone with advanced camera capabilities and fast performance. It also offers a unique design and a large and high-quality display. It is priced slightly lower than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, making it a good option for those who want high-end features at a more affordable price.

• OnePlus 9 Pro: The OnePlus 9 Pro is a high-end smartphone with a large and high-quality display, fast performance, and advanced camera capabilities. It is priced slightly lower than the iPhone 12 Pro Max and offers similar features and capabilities. It is a good option for those who want a high-end smartphone without breaking the bank.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is a high-end smartphone that offers a premium user experience. Its advanced camera capabilities, large and high-quality display, and fast performance make it a great choice for users who prioritize these features. However, its high price tag may be a consideration for some users, and those who don’t need all the advanced features offered by the iPhone 12 Pro Max may be better served by a more affordable smartphone. Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a great choice for users who want a top-of-the-line smartphone with advanced features and capabilities.

FAQs – Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review

Q: Is the iPhone 12 Pro Max water-resistant?

A: Yes, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is water-resistant with an IP68 rating. It can withstand being submerged in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.

Q: Does the iPhone 12 Pro Max support 5G connectivity?

A: Yes, the iPhone 12 Pro Max supports 5G connectivity, which allows for faster download and upload speeds.

Q: What is the storage capacity of the iPhone 12 Pro Max?

A: The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with storage options of 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB.

Q: Does the iPhone 12 Pro Max have a headphone jack?

A: No, the iPhone 12 Pro Max does not have a headphone jack. Users can use wireless headphones or a Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter to listen to audio on the device.

Q: What is the screen size of the iPhone 12 Pro Max?

A: The screen size of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is 6.7 inches.

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