The iPhone 12 Pro Max or the iPhone XS Max – which is best?

Is it worth paying extra for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, or does the iPhone XS Max have a good enough spec to suit your needs? It depends on whether you want the ultimate photo and video quality, three cameras or two, and if an extra .2 of an inch screen size makes a difference to your viewing. Let’s take a look at in more detail.

iPhone XS Max: a top-quality phone with a big screen

This is the phone for you if you’re into gaming, streaming videos and like a large screen. With a dual camera set-up, one telephoto and the other wide angle, the camera takes high quality photos and benefits from HDR to sharpen images to a crisp definition. However, if you prefer a smooth design, you might find the protruding camera bothers you.  Battery life is another plus of the iPhone XS Max, with approximately a day and half’s life for average use. The 6.5-inch display is a little smaller than the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch, but does such a small variation really make a difference in everyday use?

iPhone 12 Pro Max: powerful, with a large, bright display

If you’re looking for one of the biggest phones out there, the iPhone 12 Pro Max fits the bill. The processor is fast, as with all Apples, and there’s not much difference in download speed between the 12 Pro Max and the XS Max. A big distinction between these phones is that the 12 Pro Max supports 5G and the XS Max doesn’t. However, this isn’t really a problem at the moment as 5G hasn't reached most areas yet. The 12 Pro sports three cameras, compared to two on the XS, and takes excellent quality photos. But the camera also protrudes, meaning the phone won’t lie flat on a surface and will move if you’re typing while it’s on your desk (this issue can be solved with a phone case which levels the back of the phone). Battery life lasts about a day, so a bit less than the XS Max (but it really depends on what you use the device for).

Unless you can't resist the pull of owning a phone with more high-end features we suggest you spend your money on the iPhone XS Max as here at Back Market we don’t believe the difference is that great between the two at all. Perfect for the average user and amateur photographer, this phone still offers the best in Apple quality at a cheaper price. Let’s face it, are three cameras really going to make a difference to your life?