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InnoReviews

iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

WINNER
A
42.3Inno Score
VS
A
38.3Inno Score
43.9Performance44
32.4Display21.3
38Camera31.9
30.7Battery27.7
89.3Features89.3
9 spec wins — iPhone 12 Pro Max4 spec wins — iPhone SE (3rd gen)

InnoReviews verdict

iPhone 12 Pro Max wins this phone face-off, 42.3 to 38.3, pulling ahead mainly in display (+11) and camera (+6). iPhone SE (3rd gen) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • Stronger display score: 32 vs 21
  • Stronger camera score: 38 vs 32
  • Stronger battery score: 31 vs 28
  • 150% higher Optical zoom: 2.5 x vs 1 x
  • 100% higher Wireless charging: 15 W vs 8 W

Reasons to pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen)

  • 37% lower weight: 144 g vs 228 g
  • Lower launch price: $429 vs $1,099

Display

Display comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Screen size6.7 ″+43%4.7 ″
Panel typeOLEDRetina IPS LCD
Resolution2778x1284750x1334
Pixel density458 ppi+40%326 ppi
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Peak brightness1,200 nits+92%625 nits
Screen-to-body—65.4 %

Performance

Performance comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
ChipsetApple A14 BionicApple A15 Bionic
AnTuTu 10950,000+7%Top 51%890,000Top 59%
Geekbench 6 (single)2,080Top 28%2,100+1%Top 27%
Geekbench 6 (multi)4,900Top 35%5,200+6%Top 32%
RAM (max)6 GB+50%4 GB
Storage options128GB / 256GB / 512GB64/128/256GB
Storage typeNVMeNVMe

Camera

Camera comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Main camera12 MP12 MP
Main aperturef/1.6f/1.8
Ultra-wide12 MP—
Telephoto12 MP—
Optical zoom2.5 x+150%1 x
Max video4K@60fps4K@60fps
Front camera12 MP+71%7 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Capacity3,687 mAh+83%2,018 mAh
Wired charging20 W20 W
Wireless charging15 W+100%8 W
Active use endurance—7 h

Design

Design comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Weight228 g144 g+37%
Thickness7.4 mm7.3 mm+1%
IP ratingIP68IP67
Frame materialStainless steelAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.05.0
NFCYesYes
USBLightningLightning
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
OS at launchiOS 14iOS 15
OS update pledge6 years6 years

Audio

Audio comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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