Looking for an honest Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max comparison in 2026? We scored both smartphones on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. In our overall scoring the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max comes out ahead 42/100 to 57/100 — a 15-point gap. The widest gap is in design and build, where the Apple iPhone 12 Pro pulls noticeably ahead. On price the Apple iPhone 12 Pro undercuts the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max by 174% ($254.89 vs $699), which materially changes the value calculus for budget-conscious buyers.
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max clearly outperforms the Apple iPhone 12 Pro in the smartphones category, especially in battery life (4,352mAh vs 2,815mAh), scoring 57 vs 42. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
Picking Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max over Apple iPhone 12 Pro means trading these off.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Apple iPhone 13 Pro MaxW |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1" | 6.7"✓ |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels | — |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz✓ |
| Brightness | 800nits | 1000nits✓ |
Buy Apple iPhone 12 Pro if…
Choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Buy Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if…
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max clearly outperforms the Apple iPhone 12 Pro in the smartphones category, especially in battery life (4,352mAh vs 2,815mAh), scoring 57 vs 42. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
No, Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max scores higher (82 vs 67).
Apple iPhone 12 Pro is cheaper at $254.89 vs $699 for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a larger battery (4,352mAh vs 2,815mAh for the Apple iPhone 12 Pro), which generally means longer use between charges.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has the larger display (6.7" vs 6.1").
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: May 31, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Scores are relative within the smartphonescategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
✗ Cons
| HDR |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| — |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield | — |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
| CPU | Hexa-core 3.1 GHz | — |
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | — |
| Main Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Aperture | f/1.6 | — |
| OIS | Yes | — |
| Video | 4K@60fps | — |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 2815mAh | 4352mAh✓ |
| Charging | 20W | 27W✓ |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | — |
| OS | iOS 14, upgradable to iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | — |
| NFC | Yes (Apple Pay) | Yes |
| USB | Lightning | — |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | — |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | — |
| Weight | 187g✓ | 238g |
| Price | 254.89$✓ | 699$ |
Apple iPhone 12 Pro is lighter at 187g vs 238g.