Does size really matter? When it comes to phones
the answer is yes. But the catch is whether bigger or smaller is better.
That tends to be in the eyes or more accurately the hands of the user.
Enter the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, which really lives up to its name.
This is the most expensive and biggest model of the iPhone range so it's bigger and better.
I took a hands on look at this phone to give you the lowdown
Straight up this is one seriously hefty phone.
The heft is really enhanced by the throw back to the older iPhone core design style with its solid
edges.
If you have smaller hands or just don't like big phones, this is not the phone for you.
On a technical level it has a superb OLED display that's easily best in class.
Mind you, Apple hasn't made any particular considerations for the larger display size.
In terms of iOS features like other iPhone 12 models, it uses Apple's ceramic shield glass,
which claims to be four times more drop resistant.
The larger size of the phone does mean it's more likely to be dropped.
It slipped out of my pocket a few times during testing, so we know ceramic shield works sorry
apple.
Keep in mind that while Apple says the screen glass is more resistant, there's no expansion of
warranty if you break it, you have to pay for it.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is water resistant for half an hour up to six metres...
hopefully...
Yep, see still works.
The only thing is though, that Apple doesn't actually offer water resistance in its warranty,
so it's not something to play around with on purpose.
The main difference between the pro max and the Pro is the camera, but you wouldn't notice that by
simply looking at the phone.
Both phones feature 3 12 megapixel cameras, a wide medium and zoom lens.
The Max has the largest zoom distance of 2.5 times compared to the two times of the pro.
The smaller pro model has a slightly larger aperture, which could make it better performer in
low light situations.
The Pro max claims to have the largest individual pixel sensor sizes on any iPhone.
It also has censorship stabilisation, which places the stabilisation module on the sensor itself
rather than on the lens.
This means you can stabilise videos and photos in a way that was previously restricted to high end cameras.
The default camera app is all about making the choices for you, which suits users who just want
to snap good photos as quickly as possible.
In that respect, the pro max shoots very well no matter what lens you're using.
iPhones do well with video shooting too and the 12 pro max continues that with support for Dolby
Vision HDR video shooting at up to 60 frames per second in 10 bit 4k HDR.
The pro max did heat up and lose battery much faster when using it at the highest setting.
So if you're keen on using this feature, keep that in mind or bring a battery bank as backup.
It's interesting to note that this model has the same A14 fusion processor inside as all other
current iPhones.
This means is not much of a performance difference between an iPhone that's only just over $1,000 and
one that's over $2,000.
Still, this processor remains the one to beat.
However apart from 4k video editing, there aren't any apps that really push it to its limits just yet.
The other big difference for the pro Max is the inclusion of 5g although the Australian version
only supports slower sub six gigahertz 5g the US model also supports Mwave 5g.
When you consider the price tag it feels a bit rough that Apple cut down 5g support in this way.
Right now there aren't any m wave networks in Australia but there will be in the future.
And these phones will never be able to access them at full speed.
A larger phone always means larger batteries.
I ran the 12 Pro max through our standard battery endurance test streaming a full HD YouTube video
for an hour at maximum brightness and moderate volume.
The 12 pro max fell short of last year's iPhone 11 it managed to out pace every other iPhone model
Apple's released this year.
A full day's usage is easily achievable in my circumstances.
Charging is fast and it also supports up to 15 watt wireless charging, including the use of
Apple's new magsafe chargers.
So does this phone justify its huge price tag?
Only if you really want that higher end camera and a bigger screen.
Performance wise it isn't really that much different to the iPhone 12 which makes that a much
better value phone
But hey, if you want the top camera specs the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a great luxury option.