Hands-On With the New iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini

Happy iPhone launch day part deux! Today is the official release day for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini, which join the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 12 that were released last month. We picked up the new ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ and Pro Max for an unboxing, hands-on, and quick video comparison.


At 5.4-inches, the ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ is the smallest ‌iPhone‌ that Apple has released since the 2016 ‌iPhone‌ SE, and the 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ is the largest ‌iPhone‌ to date, so seeing these two devices side-by-side is a bit comical. The ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌, which is a dual-handed use phone, looks enormous next to the super tiny mini, which can be used one-handed.

iphone 12 mini pro max boxes
For most people, MacRumors videographer Dan included, the 6.1-inch size of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and 12 Pro may be the sweet spot, but those who want light weight, one-handed use, and better pocketability will love the mini. For most screen real estate, the ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ is the device to choose, and many of us here at MacRumors are fans of Apple's largest phone.

iphone 12 mini in hand 1
The 12 Pro Max offers a lot more screen real estate when browsing the web and using apps than the ‌iPhone‌ 12 or 12 mini, but it is a good deal heavier than Apple's other iPhones. Weight wise, it's not too far off from the iPhone 11 Pro Max for those that have that ‌iPhone‌, but it is much more hefty than the ‌iPhone‌ 12 or 12 mini.

iphone 12 mini front
We got the ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ in silver and the color is almost a bright white, which looks fantastic. It has shiny silver edges, and the silver color seems to be better at concealing fingerprints than the blue ‌iPhone‌ with matching blue edges. Our ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ is red, and the red shade this year is brighter than usual like a shiny candy apple, and it too looks great.

iphone 12 mini pro max side by side
The mini is so small that the Wallet accessory that Apple made goes right to the edges of the phone (it's the same width), which makes for an odd look. We also picked up a Leather case and the wallet attachment seems more slippery compared to the Silicone case, which is something to keep in mind.

iphone 12 lineup all
The ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ has the same camera as the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and takes identical pictures, but the ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ has a triple-lens camera with a sensor that's better than the sensor in the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro, giving it the best camera out of the bunch. Even though it has the best camera, the cameras in the other iPhones are quite good, and you may not see too much difference between them in standard lighting situations. You should, however, see some slightly better performance out of the 12 Pro Max in low lighting conditions.

iphone 12 mini iphone 12 pro max in hand
We took some comparison shots with the new iPhones and shared them in the video, so make sure to give it a watch to see if you can tell the difference in photo quality.

iphone 12 mini pro max stickers

The ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ comes with an extra large Apple sticker

We're going to have more in-depth coverage of the new iPhones coming next week, including a camera comparison across the ‌iPhone‌ 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max, so make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors for all of your ‌iPhone‌ news.

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Top Rated Comments

TheDailyApple Avatar
60 months ago
I’d hate to have anything bigger than the mini. If I need an iPad, I’ll use an iPad. IMO the mini is the sweet spot, perfect for one handed use, but still has a bigger display than the 8/SE.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmh600cbr Avatar
60 months ago
Love my pro max but Apple seriously needs to give us multitasking on this giant screen
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
60 months ago
I just got my 12 pro max 256 gig. pacific blue.

the transfer experience has been flawless.

Love the feel of this phone so far.

Love the satisfying click for mag safe.

the screen is PURTY!


I came from an iPhone XS max was not completely backed up. but the new iPhone "asked" and "told" my old phone to back up all the way, then start my restore from icloud.

LOVED THAT!!!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
60 months ago
So far, I like my mini. It's the first time I've used FaceID and I'm really impressed with how quick and easy it is. I didn't think I'd like it more than TouchID, but I do. Wearing a mask is definitely a problem, though. For me, the mini is the perfect size I've been wanting; it fits perfectly in my shirt pocket, it's easy to hold. And it's remarkably light. The screen to me seems dimmer than my iPhone 8 and it doesn't have as wide a viewing angle as the 8 either. But I think this will be a great device that will last me for a number of years.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freeangel1 Avatar
60 months ago
I got my iPhone 12 Pro Max today! Gold in color. 256GB storage as spending $1500 to go up to $512GB too much money!

I got $700 off by trading in my iPhone 8 Plus 256GB space gray. THANK YOU ATT! could never get $700 selling it outright.

I got the max cause I'm totally into shooting Video and still pictures. So having the best Camera is important to me

PS. nice family you have. nice kids. thanks for sharing with us!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
artfossil Avatar
60 months ago

I wanted to be able to make the Pro Max work, but the lack of USB-C, fingerprint reader, and hideous notch (with sadly disfunctional faceid) just don't work for me and it will go back. Great camera though!
Gee, my Face ID works flawlessly. One of my most-anticipated and most-appreciated features of my new Pro Max.

Why on earth did you waste your time ordering the Pro Max when you knew it has a notch, has no Touch ID, and comes with a lightning port (and lighting-USB-C cable)?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)