Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max GSRF MGCF3LL/A Graphite 128GB

The iPhone 12 Pro Max scores a brutal 24/100 on battery, which is one of the worst results in our database. Build quality is solid at the 72nd percentile, and the A14 chip still handles daily tasks. But at $300 with a 52/100 user sentiment score, you're gambling on refurb quality and battery health.

The A14 Bionic is no slouch, but it's not leading any charts anymore. Performance sits at the 57th percentile, which puts it firmly in the middle of the pack. For everyday stuff like messaging, browsing, and social media, you won't feel much lag. The 6.7-inch display at 2778 x 1284 is sharp and bright, landing at the 55th percentile, so it's about average for current phones. But the camera is where things get rough. That 12MP main shooter scores at the 25th percentile, which means it falls behind most modern flagships. The 60 fps video is nice, but stills just don't hold up against newer sensors.

Battery life is the real weak spot here. At 24/100, it's one of the worst scores we track for this category. The 20th percentile ranking means most phones in our database outlast this thing. And that's before you factor in refurbished units shipping with battery health already degraded. Multiple buyers reported 81-86% battery health out of the box, which means you're starting with a battery that's already lost nearly a fifth of its capacity. That's rough.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, this phone gets embarrassed in almost every category. The S24 Ultra's camera and battery scores blow the 12 Pro Max out of the water, and its performance sits near the top of our charts. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 and Google Pixel G4QUR also outclass it in camera and battery, though they cost significantly more. The OnePlus 15 and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offer better value for the money if you're not tied to iOS. Honestly, the only reason to pick the 12 Pro Max over any of these is if you specifically want a large iPhone and you're on a tight budget. The comparison isn't flattering.

At $300, this is one of the cheapest ways to get a big-screen iPhone with 5G. The 128GB storage is adequate, and you're getting a phone that originally sold for over a grand. But value isn't just about the sticker price. When you factor in the battery health issues and the 52/100 user sentiment score, that $300 starts to feel less like a steal and more like a calculated risk. You're essentially paying for the Apple logo and the screen size, not for longevity. If you're okay with possibly needing a battery replacement soon, the math works. If not, you might want to save up a bit more.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max sits in a weird spot in our database right now. Its build quality lands at the 72nd percentile, which is solid for a phone that's a few generations old, but the battery score of 24/100 is a real problem. You're looking at a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display and the A14 Bionic chip, which still handles daily tasks fine, but the numbers tell a story of a phone that's showing its age in the places that matter most. At $300 unlocked, it's cheap for an iPhone with this screen size, but that price comes with some baggage we'll get into.

The user sentiment score of 52/100 is the lowest of any metric here, landing at the 13th percentile. That's not great. Buyers report mixed experiences with refurbished units, from battery health in the 81-86% range to chargers that don't match what was advertised. Some folks got a phone that feels brand new, others got iCloud lock headaches. It's a gamble, and the data backs that up.

Skip this if battery life matters to you at all. The 24/100 battery score is one of the worst we've seen, and refurbished units often arrive with degraded batteries already. Also skip it if you care about camera quality, since the 25th percentile camera ranking means it falls behind most modern phones. And if you're not comfortable with the risk of getting a unit with iCloud lock issues or the wrong charger, the 13th percentile user sentiment should be a warning sign. This phone is for people who want a big iPhone on a budget and are willing to accept compromises.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a tough recommendation in 2025. The build quality is still there, the display is fine, and the A14 chip keeps things moving. But the battery score of 24/100 is a dealbreaker for most people, and the 13th percentile user sentiment tells you that refurbished units are a coin flip. At $300, it's cheap, but you're buying into known problems. If you can live with mediocre battery life and a camera that's behind the curve, it's a functional big-screen iPhone. If you want something that'll last more than a year without a battery swap, look elsewhere.