1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-09-22 | iPhone 15 Plus is significantly newer, benefiting from technological advancements. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | Similar size; 15 Plus is slightly thicker but lighter, potentially more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Weight | 228g | 201g | 15 Plus is significantly lighter, making it more portable and less fatiguing to use over time. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; both offer a large immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1290x2796 | Negligibly different; both are very sharp, providing excellent detail for text and images. |
| PPI | 458 | 460 | Nearly identical pixel density; both offer very crisp, detailed visuals. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Identical display technology; both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard refresh rate; both will appear smooth for general tasks but lack the ultra-smoothness of higher refresh rates. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Plus has substantially better visibility in bright sunlight, ensuring readability outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | iPhone 15 Plus uses a newer, more efficient chipset, leading to snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 Plus has significantly faster performance in benchmarks; it should handle apps and games more efficiently. |
| GPU | Apple 4-core graphics | Apple 5-core graphics | iPhone 15 Plus has a more powerful GPU, better for intensive graphical tasks like gaming or video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 4383mAh | iPhone 15 Plus has a significantly larger battery, providing longer usage times between charges. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 20W fast charging | Both offer similar fast charging speeds, but larger battery of 15 Plus may still result in slightly longer overall charging times. |
| Features | Non-removable, 20W adapter sold separately, MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | Non-removable, MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | Similar wireless charging capabilities, both with non-removable batteries. 12 Pro Max has an unconfirmed capacity and the adapter is sold separately. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 48MP | iPhone 15 Plus captures more detailed photos with a higher resolution main sensor, allowing for more editing and cropping. |
| Main Cam Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.6 | Similar aperture, both perform well in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Cam | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/1.9 | 15 Plus has a slightly wider aperture on the selfie camera, leading to better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers an optical zoom via the Telephoto lens while the 15 Plus has no equivalent zoom lens, resulting in a different zooming experience. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a dedicated wide angle lens, allowing for wider shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.4 | iPhone 15 Plus offers a unique macro functionality via its Wide Angle lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Both have similar video quality, offering 4K recording, OIS, and slow-motion; The 15 plus also has a cinematic mode |
| DxOMark Mobile | 131 | 145 | iPhone 15 Plus has a significantly higher DxOMark score, suggesting superior overall camera performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 | iOS 17 | iPhone 15 Plus has a newer operating system, offering more features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support fast Wi-Fi 6 for modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 LE | iPhone 15 Plus has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering better efficiency and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides support for more satellite systems, improving location accuracy in certain regions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Identical storage options; both offer sufficient space for most users, but note that neither has expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB | Both offer similar multitasking performance, adequate for daily tasks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:
- Significantly Brighter Display: The 2000 nits display ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor use.
- Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides a noticeable boost in speed and efficiency for smoother multitasking and demanding apps.
- Better Battery Life: The larger battery capacity translates to longer usage times, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Improved Camera System: A higher-resolution main sensor and better overall DxOMark score mean better image quality, and the addition of cinematic mode.
- Newer Software: Running iOS 17, it enjoys the latest features, security updates, and improvements.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 offers efficiency improvements.
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: The dedicated telephoto lens allows for optical zoom, which is better for portrait photography and capturing faraway subjects without digital degradation.
- Wide Angle Lens: This additional lens on the iPhone 12 Pro Max makes it easier to take wide shots.
- More Satellite Systems: Support for Beidou satellite system in addition to GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, and Galileo can increase location accuracy in some regions.
- Dolby Atmos & Digital Plus: The 12 Pro Max features enhanced audio features.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 15 Plus sacrifices a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lens for a better main and selfie camera, along with a macro functionality.
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max, despite having a telephoto and wide-angle lens, loses out on the significantly brighter screen, better battery and more advanced chip.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for iPhone 15 Plus:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: The brighter screen is a game-changer for anyone who spends significant time outdoors and needs a readable display.
- Heavy Smartphone Users: People who rely heavily on their phones for work, social media, and gaming will benefit from the extended battery life and powerful processor.
- Casual Photographers: Users who want great image quality without the need for a dedicated optical zoom or wide angle.
- Those who want the latest OS: Those who want the latest features will benefit from the iOS 17 on the iPhone 15 Plus.
Ideal Users for iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value the flexibility of a telephoto and wide-angle lens, particularly for portrait and landscape shots.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a larger screen and good performance at a lower price point.
- Users needing specific GPS: Those who value the support for the Beidou satellite system
Use Cases:
- iPhone 15 Plus: Ideal for outdoor photography, watching videos on the go, heavy gaming sessions, and all-day usage.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Better for users who prioritize camera flexibility or specific audio or GPS features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is screen brightness for your daily use? If you're often in bright sunlight, the iPhone 15 Plus is a clear winner.
- Do you need a telephoto lens and wide angle? If zoom is essential, the 12 Pro Max is better suited. If not, you will still get great photos from the 15 Plus.
- Is battery life a significant factor? The 15 Plus offers substantially longer battery life than the 12 Pro Max.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor worker needing clear visibility and long battery life. Choose the iPhone 15 Plus. The superior brightness and better battery life will enhance usability throughout the day.
- Scenario 2: Casual user who values the latest performance but not so much the cameras. The iPhone 15 Plus provides a better all around experience.
- Scenario 3: Hobbyist photographer needing versatile lenses at a lower price point. The iPhone 12 Pro Max will be the better option due to its telephoto and wide-angle cameras.
My Choice
I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a solid phone, the iPhone 15 Plus offers significant advantages in key areas that align with my needs:
- Display: The massively brighter display of the iPhone 15 Plus makes a difference in daily outdoor use.
- Performance: I would rather have the newer chip, the faster performance and the larger battery for longer battery life for my day to day usage.
- Camera: I'm happy to lose the telephoto and wide-angle lens for a much better main and selfie cameras.
For the everyday user, these improvements are more impactful than the extra cameras on the 12 Pro Max. While it has its advantages, the overall package of the 15 Plus is more compelling for me.
