iPhone 17 vs iPhone 12 Pro Max

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is 6.6 millimetres0.26 inches wider and 51 grams1.80 ounces heavier than the iPhone 17.

The iPhone 17 on Amazon (paid link) is sharper and lasts all day without needing a top-up, unlike the 12 Pro Max (paid link) which drags in your pocket. You might save hundreds with a renewed Max, but that chip will feel sluggish by comparison. Keep the Max if your budget is tight; otherwise the 17 is the right pick.

Paid link.

Easier one-handed: iPhone 17

Pocket: iPhone 17

Weight difference: Noticeable

iPhone 17
from $799 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

Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.

iPhone 17
from $799 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.

HeightWidthDepthWeight17149.6 millimetres5.89 inches71.5 millimetres2.81 inches7.95 millimetres0.31 inches177 grams6.24 ounces12 Pro Max160.8 millimetres, 11.2 millimetres more6.33 inches, 0.44 inches more78.1 millimetres, 6.6 millimetres more3.07 inches, 0.26 inches more7.40 millimetres, 0.55 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.02 inches less228 grams, 51 grams more8.04 ounces, 1.80 ounces more

Height: 17 149.6 millimetres, 12 Pro Max 160.8 millimetres.Height: 17 5.89 inches, 12 Pro Max 6.33 inches.Width: 17 71.5 millimetres, 12 Pro Max 78.1 millimetres.Width: 17 2.81 inches, 12 Pro Max 3.07 inches.Depth: 17 7.95 millimetres, 12 Pro Max 7.40 millimetres.Depth: 17 0.31 inches, 12 Pro Max 0.29 inches.Weight: 17 177 grams, 12 Pro Max 228 grams.Weight: 17 6.24 ounces, 12 Pro Max 8.04 ounces.

Specifications

Specifications for iPhone 17, iPhone 12 Pro Max. Differences are given against iPhone 17.
Specification	17	12 Pro Max

Height	149.6 millimetres5.89 inches	160.8 millimetres, 11.2 millimetres more6.33 inches, 0.44 inches more
Width	71.5 millimetres2.81 inches	78.1 millimetres, 6.6 millimetres more3.07 inches, 0.26 inches more
Depth	7.95 millimetres0.31 inches	7.40 millimetres, 0.55 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.02 inches less
Weight	177 grams6.24 ounces	228 grams, 51 grams more8.04 ounces, 1.80 ounces more
Volume	85.0 cubic centimetres5.19 cubic inches	92.9 cubic centimetres, 7.9 cubic centimetres more5.67 cubic inches, 0.48 cubic inches more
Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure.	90 percent	87 percent, 3 percent less

Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches.	6.3 inches	6.7 inches, 0.4 inches more
Resolution	1206 × 2622	1284 × 2778
Pixel density	460 pixels per inch	458 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch less
Cutout	Dynamic Island	Notch

Rear main	48MP	48MP
Rear ultra-wide	—	—
Rear telephoto	—	—
Front camera	12MP	12MP

Chip	A19	A14 Bionic
Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity.	30 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	256 – 512 GB	128 – 512 GB
Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars.	799 dollars	1,099 dollars, 300 dollars more

Released	Sep 2025	Nov 2020
Status	Current	Legacy

Dimensions

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is 11.2 mm (0.44 in) taller, 6.6 mm (0.26 in) wider, 0.55 mm (0.02 in) thinner and 51 g (1.80 oz) heavier than the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 measures 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm (5.89 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 177 g (6.24 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).

Questions about these phones

How does the size of the iPhone 17 compare to the iPhone 12 Pro Max?

The iPhone 17 is 11.2 mm shorter and 6.6 mm narrower than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Is the iPhone 17 lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?

Yes, the iPhone 17 weighs 51 grams less than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Which phone has a larger screen?

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch screen, while the iPhone 17 has a 6.3 inch screen.

Which phone works better for one handed use?

The iPhone 17 is easier to use with one hand and better for small hands.

Does the iPhone 17 fit better in a pocket?

The iPhone 17 is more pocketable than the iPhone 12 Pro Max and both fit in a typical men's jeans pocket.

Is upgrading for the size difference worth it?

The page verdicts state that the size only upgrade to the iPhone 17 is worth it.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 12 Pro Max

Quick answer

Specifications

Dimensions

Also compared with iPhone 17

Questions about these phones