You are currently viewing iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone 12 Pro Max – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone 12 Pro Max – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 12 Pro Max & iPhone 11 Pro Max share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 12 Pro Max rather than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. 

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with the A14 Bionic chip for faster performance and more power-efficient multitasking, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max uses the A13 Bionic chip.
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display for a more immersive viewing experience with sharper detail, whereas the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
  • It features a Ceramic Shield front for improved drop resistance and greater durability, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max uses standard glass.
  • The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports 5G connectivity for significantly faster download speeds and lower latency, whereas the iPhone 11 Pro Max is limited to 4G LTE.
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 65mm telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom for closer and clearer zoomed photos, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max uses a 52mm telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom.
  • It includes a LiDAR scanner for enhanced low-light autofocus and advanced AR applications, whereas the iPhone 11 Pro Max does not include a LiDAR scanner.
  • The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports Dolby Vision HDR video recording at up to 60fps for higher-quality, cinematic footage, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max records standard HDR video.
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max has MagSafe charging support up to 15W for faster and more convenient magnetic wireless charging, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max only supports Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W.

Maybe the iPhone 11 Pro Max price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone 11 Pro Max
Display Size6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
Display ProtectionCeramic ShieldStandard glass
ProcessorA14 Bionic chipA13 Bionic chip
Connectivity5G support4G LTE only
Telephoto Zoom2.5x optical zoom2x optical zoom
LiDAR ScannerYesNo
Main Camera StabilizationSensor-shift OISDual OIS
Video RecordingDolby Vision HDR up to 60fpsHDR video up to 60fps
Night ModeAll cameras (rear + front)Wide and front only
DesignFlat edgesRounded edges
Dimensions160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm158.0 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm
Weight228g226g
ChargingMagSafe up to 15WQi up to 7.5W
Base Storage128GB64GB
Water ResistanceIP68, 6m for 30 minIP68, 4m for 30 min
Front Camera FeaturesNight Mode and Deep FusionNo Night Mode, limited Deep Fusion
Color OptionsPacific Blue, Gold, Silver, GraphiteMidnight Green, Gold, Silver, Space Gray
Frame StyleFlat stainless steelCurved stainless steel
PriceCheck iPhone 12 Pro Max PriceCheck iPhone 11 Pro Max Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display Type: Both iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 11 Pro Max use Super Retina XDR OLED technology, delivering deep blacks, high contrast, and vivid colors for immersive visuals.
  • Resolution: Each device has a very high pixel density, ensuring text and images look sharp and detailed on both displays.
  • Brightness: Both models reach 800 nits of typical brightness and peak at 1200 nits with HDR content, making them suitable for outdoor use and HDR video playback.
  • HDR Support: Both phones support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, allowing users to watch high-quality streaming content with rich colors and expanded contrast.
  • True Tone: Both models include True Tone, which automatically adjusts the display’s white balance to match ambient lighting for more natural viewing.
  • Wide Color Gamut: Each device supports the P3 wide color gamut, ensuring photos and videos appear vibrant and accurate to life.
  • Rear Camera Count: Both phones include a triple-camera system with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, providing flexibility in photography.
  • Ultra-Wide Camera: Each has a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view, enabling expansive landscape and group shots.
  • Telephoto Camera Resolution: Both telephoto cameras are 12MP, producing detailed zoom shots even though the zoom range differs slightly.
  • Smart HDR: Each supports Smart HDR for improved highlights, shadows, and dynamic range in photos, with software updates ensuring comparable results.
  • Portrait Mode: Both phones support portrait photography with depth control and advanced bokeh, giving users professional-looking portraits.
  • Face ID: Each uses the TrueDepth front camera system for secure facial recognition, allowing fast unlocking and authentication.
  • Biometric Security: Both devices rely solely on Face ID as the biometric security method, with no fingerprint sensor present.
  • Stereo Speakers: Both phones include stereo speakers with wide sound, enhancing movie watching, gaming, and music playback.
  • Wireless Charging: Both support Qi wireless charging, making them compatible with third-party wireless chargers.
  • Water and Dust Resistance: Both devices carry an IP68 rating, making them resistant to dust and water immersion for everyday protection.
  • Materials: Both use stainless steel frames and glass backs, ensuring durability and a premium feel in hand.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone 11 Pro Max
Display TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED
Resolution2778 × 1284 pixels2688 × 1242 pixels
Brightness800 nits typical, 1200 nits HDR800 nits typical, 1200 nits HDR
HDR SupportHDR10, Dolby VisionHDR10, Dolby Vision
True ToneSupportedSupported
Wide Color GamutP3 wide colorP3 wide color
Rear Camera CountTriple 12MP systemTriple 12MP system
Ultra-Wide Camera12MP, 120° field of view12MP, 120° field of view
Telephoto Camera Resolution12MP12MP
Smart HDRSmart HDR 3Smart HDR 3 (via update)
Portrait ModeSupported with advanced bokehSupported with advanced bokeh
Face IDEnabled with TrueDepth cameraEnabled with TrueDepth camera
Biometric SecurityFace recognitionFace recognition
Stereo SpeakersSupportedSupported
Wireless ChargingQi standard supportedQi standard supported
Water and Dust ResistanceRated IP68Rated IP68
MaterialsStainless steel frame, glass backStainless steel frame, glass back
Price Check iPhone 12 Pro Max Price Check iPhone 11 Pro Max Price

FAQ

Do both models use OLED displays?
Yes, both models feature Super Retina XDR OLED panels with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, providing excellent color accuracy and brightness.

Which model has stronger display protection?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max includes a Ceramic Shield front cover that is more resistant to drops, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a standard glass front.

What is the difference in processing power?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which is faster and more power-efficient compared to the A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Does either phone support 5G connectivity?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports 5G networks for faster data speeds, whereas the iPhone 11 Pro Max is limited to 4G LTE.

How do the telephoto cameras differ between the two models?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 65mm telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 52mm telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom.

Which device includes a LiDAR scanner?
Only the iPhone 12 Pro Max includes a LiDAR scanner, which improves AR experiences and enhances autofocus in low-light photography.

Are there differences in night mode capabilities?
Yes, the iPhone 12 Pro Max supports night mode across all cameras, including the ultra-wide and front camera, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max only supports night mode on the wide and front cameras.

Do both phones record Dolby Vision video?
No, the iPhone 12 Pro Max can record Dolby Vision HDR video at up to 60fps, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max records HDR video without Dolby Vision.

Is there a difference in charging features?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports MagSafe charging up to 15W, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max supports Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W but does not support MagSafe.

How do their storage options compare?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max starts with 128GB of storage as the base option, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max starts with only 64GB.

What are the water resistance ratings for each device?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is rated IP68 for up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max is rated IP68 for up to 4 meters for 30 minutes.

Do both phones support Face ID?
Yes, both devices use the TrueDepth camera system to enable Face ID for secure unlocking and authentication.

What materials are used in the build of both phones?
Both devices use stainless steel frames and glass backs, giving them a premium and durable construction.

How do the color options differ?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in Pacific Blue, Graphite, Gold, and Silver, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max comes in Midnight Green, Space Gray, Gold, and Silver.