People often ask if the iPhone 12 Pro Max, a flagship from since 2020 and still a viable purchase in 2026. With the recent launch of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the 12 Pro Max is now several generations behind, yet it remains a solid choice for users who want a premium large-screen experience without paying the premium prices of the 16 or 17 series.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a few years old smartphone. But it still performs very well. It has a strong A14 Bionic chip. This chip helps it work smoothly. The phone also has a
Whether you’re a casual user, content creator, photographer or gamer, the iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers excellent performance. Its combination of display quality, processing power, and camera capability makes it versatile for demanding tasks like video editing, 4K recording, and gaming.
Overview of the iPhone 12 Pro Max features
Regarding features, Apple would be at the top of the competition so let’s have a look at what this device offers.
Design and Display
The iPhone 12 Pro Max looks nice and fancy and having a strong metal frame. The front screen is made of a tough material named Ceramic Shield that won’t crack easily. The phone screen is big at 6.7 inches. Its display shows transparent colors, true blacks, and good contrast. The screen stretches from edge to edge thanks to its minimal bezels. This gives users an engaging viewing experience. It feels like the content goes on forever.
Performance & Gaming: Still a Powerhouse?
Despite its age, the iPhone 12 Pro Max handles daily tasks and multitasking efficiently.
- Processor: It is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which ensures the phone works smoothly even when opening many apps at once.
- RAM: With 6GB of RAM, the device keeps things running well, even during heavy multitasking.
- Gaming: For gamers, particularly those playing PUBG Mobile, BGMI, or Call of Duty Mobile, this phone is an excellent option. The A14 Bionic delivers consistent 60 FPS performance on high graphics settings with minimal throttling. While newer iPhones support 120 FPS, many game servers still cap frames at 60 FPS, making the 12 Pro Max highly competitive for the price.
Camera System of iPhone 12 Pro Series
The triple-camera setup remains a strong selling point for photographers and content creators.
- Lenses: It features three 12MP lenses: Wide, Ultra-Wide, and Telephoto.
- Zoom: The Telephoto lens offers 2.5x optical zoom, which is an improvement over the standard iPhone 12 Pro’s 2x zoom.
- Video & Features: The phone supports 4K video recording at 60fps, 10-bit HDR, and Dolby Vision HDR. It also includes Night Mode for low-light photography.
- Rating: With a DXOMark score of 131, it holds a respectable global rank (approx. 48th), proving it is still a capable shooter.
Additionally, the device supports Night mode, allowing you to capture beautiful low-light photos. Most interestingly, for photography and videography enthusiasts who want to buy, it is still the best option as it supports 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, and is equipped with 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR. As a fan of slow-mo, I’m in love with the setup of Apple cameras in every Pro series. DXO Mark score is 131, and iPhone 12 Pro Max has 48th Rank globally, which is an excellent point to consider iPhone 12 Pro Max
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Software Support for the iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple is known for long-term support, making this older phone a safe investment with a comprehensive 6-year software support window for iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Update Timeline: Apple typically provides 6 years of software support.
- Current Status: This phone runs iOS 26.2, the latest iOS version available for the iPhone 12 Pro Max as of December 2025.
- Future Outlook: After 2026, it will likely continue to receive critical security patches, though major feature updates may stop.
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Things to consider before buying iPhone 12 Pro Max
Since you will likely be buying a used or refurbished unit in 2026, follow this checklist to avoid scams:
- Battery Health: Ensure the battery health is above 85%. Be aware of “boosted” batteries, where software is used to artificially fake a higher health percentage.
- System Verification: Connect the phone to a PC and use 3uTools to verify that no internal hardware (screen, camera, etc.) has been swapped with cheap replacements.
- Physical Inspection: Check the body, volume rockers, speakers, microphones, and the LiDAR sensors (located near the cameras) for damage.
Fact
If you are going to buy iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2026, then it’s battery health would not be so good.
Pakistani Users, before buying a used iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2026, you can check whether the phone is PTA Approved, Non-PTA, or Carrier-Locked (JV). In June 2018, the Pakistan Supreme Court for the restoration of taxes, PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) tax was implemented on phones related to “Pay Tax to use imported phones.” So, every smartphone, according to its price range in US dollars, has a tax that has to be paid by the user to activate any carrier SIMs on their phone.
Regarding carrier-locked telephones, they are only workable via WiFi and cannot be used worldwide, so it is not a good option. Instead, Its price is 20-30 or more per cent less than Non-PTA.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2026?
This device is not for everyone, but it is the perfect match for specific users:
- Mobile Gamers on a Budget: If you play competitive games like PUBG Mobile or BGMI, this phone offers sustained performance and a large screen without the overheating issues found in some mid-range Androids.
- Content Creators & Photographers: The triple-lens system and Dolby Vision recording make it a powerful tool for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels users who need high-quality video but can’t afford the latest iPhone 16/17.
- Big Screen Lovers: If you watch a lot of Netflix or YouTube, the 6.7-inch OLED display gives you a “Plus/Max” sized experience for a fraction of the cost of a new model.
- Value Hunters: Users who want the “Apple ecosystem” status (stainless steel design, three cameras) but have a limited budget will find this offers the best price-to-performance ratio.
Pricing and Availability
As of January 2026, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is available in various markets, with prices varying based on condition, storage capacity, and regional factors. Here are the approximate prices in the specified regions:
Final verdict on whether the iPhone 12 Pro Max is still worth buying in 2026
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is still a good phone. However, if you want to buy it, you need to think about what is most important. You also need to think about how much money you can spend. If you find a good deal on the iPhone 12 Pro Max that does what you need, it can be a great choice in 2026. But you should always think carefully about the good and bad things before buying any phone.
Editor’s Recommendation:
