iPhone 16e vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
Quick answer
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is 6.6 millimetres0.26 inches wider and 61 grams2.15 ounces heavier than the iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 16e on Amazon (paid link) feels like today’s standard—light, fast, and it lasts longer on a single charge. Even though the iPhone 12 Pro Max (paid link) runs the current OS, its bulkier body and older performance leave it behind. For a fresh buy at this price, the 16e is the safer, longer-lived bet.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 16e
Pocket: iPhone 16e
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12 Pro Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (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 16e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 167 grams. iPhone 12 Pro Max: 160.8 by 78.1 by 7.4 millimetres, 228 grams.
16e, 12 Pro Max shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12 Pro Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 16e 146.7 millimetres, 12 Pro Max 160.8 millimetres.Height: 16e 5.78 inches, 12 Pro Max 6.33 inches.Width: 16e 71.5 millimetres, 12 Pro Max 78.1 millimetres.Width: 16e 2.81 inches, 12 Pro Max 3.07 inches.Depth: 16e 7.80 millimetres, 12 Pro Max 7.40 millimetres.Depth: 16e 0.31 inches, 12 Pro Max 0.29 inches.Weight: 16e 167 grams, 12 Pro Max 228 grams.Weight: 16e 5.89 ounces, 12 Pro Max 8.04 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16e | 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 146.7 millimetres5.78 inches | 160.8 millimetres, 14.1 millimetres more6.33 inches, 0.56 inches more |
| Width | 71.5 millimetres2.81 inches | 78.1 millimetres, 6.6 millimetres more3.07 inches, 0.26 inches more |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 7.40 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.02 inches less |
| Weight | 167 grams5.89 ounces | 228 grams, 61 grams more8.04 ounces, 2.15 ounces more |
| Volume | 81.8 cubic centimetres4.99 cubic inches | 92.9 cubic centimetres, 11.1 cubic centimetres more5.67 cubic inches, 0.68 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 86 percent | 87 percent, 1 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches, 0.6 inches more |
| Resolution | 1170 × 2532 | 1284 × 2778 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 458 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Notch | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A14 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 26 hrs | 20 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 |
| 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. | 599 dollars | 1,099 dollars, 500 dollars more |
| Released | Feb 2025 | Nov 2020 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is 14.1 mm (0.56 in) taller, 6.6 mm (0.26 in) wider, 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thinner and 61 g (2.15 oz) heavier than the iPhone 16e. 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). 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).
Also compared with iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 15 Pro
Questions about these phones
How does the size of the iPhone 16e compare to the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is 14.1 mm taller and 6.6 mm wider than the iPhone 16e.
Is the iPhone 16e significantly lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16e weighs 167 g and the iPhone 12 Pro Max weighs 228 g, a difference that is noticeable.
What is the difference in screen size between the iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch display while the iPhone 16e has a 6.1 inch display.
Which phone is better for one handed use between the iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16e is rated as easier for one handed use and better for small hands than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Will the iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 Pro Max fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but neither fits in a typical women's jeans pocket.
Is switching from the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 16e worth it for the size difference?
Whether a size only upgrade is worth it depends on if you prefer a smaller and lighter device over the larger screen of the iPhone 12 Pro Max.