# TLDR Review: iPhone 12 Pro Max

*Published: 2026-04-11 | Updated: 2026-04-11 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/iphone-12-pro-max*

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## Product: iPhone 12 Pro Max
**Brand:** Apple

## Pros
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers excellent battery life, easily lasting all day even with intensive use like extended video watching.
- Its premium design and color (Pacific Blue) give it a sleek and sophisticated look and feel.
- The large 128GB storage capacity provides ample room for apps, media, and files.
- The full-screen display is a smooth upgrade for users moving from older iPhones with home buttons.
- Face ID works reliably and conveniently, even with glasses on.
- The device supports mmWave 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and advanced network speeds where available.
- Overall user experience is highly satisfying, with solid performance that meets expectations.
- The product is genuine and original Apple hardware, offering peace of mind about authenticity.
- Purchased models tend to be more competitively priced compared to local retail options.

## Cons
- Some buyers have reported receiving phones that fail to power on, flashing the Apple logo briefly but struggling due to dead or degraded batteries, likely from prolonged storage (around 5 years).
- These dead battery issues result in devices that can’t be activated or used, causing Apple warranty and AppleCare coverage to be ineffective.
- There have been reports of missing SIM cards and carrier subscriptions despite the listing promising them.
- The size and weight of the Max variant make one-handed use uncomfortable for some people.
- A few devices arrived with older operating systems requiring updates before full functionality.
- Customer support in cases of defective units was reportedly unhelpful or limited to refunds without replacements.

## Bottom Line

The iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB, Pacific Blue) is a premium flagship with excellent battery life, top-tier performance, and a stunning design, ideal for those who want a large-screen iPhone with reliable 5G connectivity. However, be cautious when buying the locked version bundled with a carrier subscription—there have been multiple serious reports of units arriving with dead batteries and missing SIMs, likely due to aged stock. If you prioritize immediate out-of-the-box functionality and worry about warranty issues, you might want to explore other buying options or newer iPhone models as a safer bet.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers excellent battery life, easily lasting all day even with intensive use like extended video watching. | Some buyers have reported receiving phones that fail to power on, flashing the Apple logo briefly but struggling due to dead or degraded batteries, likely from prolonged storage (around 5 years). |
| Its premium design and color (Pacific Blue) give it a sleek and sophisticated look and feel. | These dead battery issues result in devices that can’t be activated or used, causing Apple warranty and AppleCare coverage to be ineffective. |
| The large 128GB storage capacity provides ample room for apps, media, and files. | There have been reports of missing SIM cards and carrier subscriptions despite the listing promising them. |
| The full-screen display is a smooth upgrade for users moving from older iPhones with home buttons. | The size and weight of the Max variant make one-handed use uncomfortable for some people. |
| Face ID works reliably and conveniently, even with glasses on. | A few devices arrived with older operating systems requiring updates before full functionality. |
| The device supports mmWave 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and advanced network speeds where available. | Customer support in cases of defective units was reportedly unhelpful or limited to refunds without replacements. |
| Overall user experience is highly satisfying, with solid performance that meets expectations. |  |
| The product is genuine and original Apple hardware, offering peace of mind about authenticity. |  |
| Purchased models tend to be more competitively priced compared to local retail options. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Back Market | $481.00  | Check |
| Fushanj | $689.00  | Check |
| Mac of all Trades | $769.00  | Check |
| The Device Depot | $849.00  | Check |
| Sam's Club | $949.00  | Check |
| Shopping.com | $1187.49  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*