iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16e
Quick answer
The iPhone 16e is 6.6 millimetres0.26 inches narrower and 61 grams2.15 ounces lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16e on Amazon (paid link) feels distinctly lighter and easier to manage than the bulky 12 Pro Max (paid link), with a chip that feels noticeably faster in daily use. It also lasts longer between charges and costs about the same on the renewed market, making the smaller choice the obvious pick.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 16e
Pocket: iPhone 16e
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 12 Pro Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 12 Pro Max: 160.8 by 78.1 by 7.4 millimetres, 228 grams. iPhone 16e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 167 grams.
12 Pro Max, 16e shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 12 Pro Max 160.8 millimetres, 16e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 12 Pro Max 6.33 inches, 16e 5.78 inches.Width: 12 Pro Max 78.1 millimetres, 16e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 12 Pro Max 3.07 inches, 16e 2.81 inches.Depth: 12 Pro Max 7.40 millimetres, 16e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 12 Pro Max 0.29 inches, 16e 0.31 inches.Weight: 12 Pro Max 228 grams, 16e 167 grams.Weight: 12 Pro Max 8.04 ounces, 16e 5.89 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 Pro Max | 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 160.8 millimetres6.33 inches | 146.7 millimetres, 14.1 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.56 inches less |
| Width | 78.1 millimetres3.07 inches | 71.5 millimetres, 6.6 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.26 inches less |
| Depth | 7.40 millimetres0.29 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.02 inches more |
| Weight | 228 grams8.04 ounces | 167 grams, 61 grams less5.89 ounces, 2.15 ounces less |
| Volume | 92.9 cubic centimetres5.67 cubic inches | 81.8 cubic centimetres, 11.1 cubic centimetres less4.99 cubic inches, 0.68 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 87 percent | 86 percent, 1 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches, 0.6 inches less |
| Resolution | 1284 × 2778 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 458 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | Notch | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A14 Bionic | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 20 hrs | 26 hrs |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 128 – 512 GB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,099 dollars | 599 dollars, 500 dollars less |
| Released | Nov 2020 | Feb 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 16e is 14.1 mm (0.56 in) shorter, 6.6 mm (0.26 in) narrower, 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thicker and 61 g (2.15 oz) lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro Max measures 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.40 mm (6.33 × 3.07 × 0.29 in) and weighs 228 g (8.04 oz). The iPhone 16e measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.80 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 167 g (5.89 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 16
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone Duo
Questions about these phones
How much smaller is the iPhone 16e than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16e is 14.1 mm shorter and 6.6 mm narrower than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It is also 0.4 mm deeper in depth.
Is the iPhone 16e lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Yes, the iPhone 16e weighs 167 g while the iPhone 12 Pro Max weighs 228 g. The 61 g difference is noticeable in hand.
Which phone has a larger display, the iPhone 12 Pro Max or the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch display, which is 0.6 inches larger than the iPhone 16e.
Is the iPhone 16e easier to use one-handed than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16e is rated easier for one-handed use and better for small hands. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is larger and heavier.
Do both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 16e fit in a typical men's jeans pocket. Neither fits a median women's jeans pocket.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 16e worth it for size alone?
A size-only upgrade to the iPhone 16e is considered worth it for those wanting a smaller phone. The iPhone 16e is significantly lighter and more pocketable.