I want to start off with the size -- the iPhone 12 Pro Max is too big. In fact, with its 6.7-inch display, it's the biggest iPhone Apple has ever made. It's right on the verge of becoming a tab, and if I wanted a tab, I'd get a tab instead. But size aside, the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a fantastic set of cameras, a terrific battery life, a refreshing change in design and yes, it's blazing fast. With 5G capability, A14 Bionic chip, larger display and battery and an overall improved camera system, is the iPhone 12 Pro Max worth upgrading to? Read on.

The build

The iPhone 12 Pro Max features the refreshing new redesign Apple has introduced in its entire 12 series. And it makes for a beautiful looking smartphone. But again, it's too big. The new design with flat sides makes it seem larger than it actually is. The phone is also heavier than its counterparts and other iPhone models. All in all, it becomes quite a challenging task to hold the iPhone with one hand and use it comfortably. But you'll get used to it if you're willing to look past the size issue.

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The camera bump on the 12 Pro Max is also bigger than the other iPhone models and it sticks out -- especially when you're putting the phone down on it's back. If, like me, you too suffer from OCD, this is going to bug you a lot. Slapping a case on its back will ease that OCD, along with protecting your phone from scratches and drops.

Speaking of backs, the iPhone 12 Pro Max features the return of matte colour options, last seen on iPhone 7, which makes it look even more appealing to users who prefer matte to glossy backs. The flat sides are polished stainless steel and the front has ceramic shielding.

You'd still want to install a glass protector and a case on this beauty, because the future might be here, but our phones still can't protect themselves.

Battery, display and performance

With its massive size, comes a massive battery as well. And that means terrific battery life. Apple's days of infamously being known for phones with low battery lives were over, ever since the iPhone XR came out. But the battery life in the new 12 Pro Max is even better. Once fully charged, I was able to barely get it down to 50% after an entire day's use, that too on home Wi-Fi and mobile data. You have to really work hard and push the limits to drain its battery.

Performance-wise, it's the fastest iPhone I've ever used. Apple's A14 Bionic chip really does what it's supposed to do and that makes for a blazing fast smartphone that you'd love to keep using. The 12 Pro Max also features 5G capability, but that's really wasted in Bangladesh, for now, at least.

The ultra-wide captures a large field of view

The display features a 60hz display that feels like a drawback in a smartphone that's quite the beast in almost all other segments. But, then again, you really won't notice the difference.

The 12 Pro Max also features two sets of speakers on the top and bottom, producing a fantastic audio performance that can go head-to-head with lower-tier speakers. Speaking of audio, it should be noted that iPhone 12 Pro Max doesn't come with AirPods in the box. Maybe that's something to consider if you're looking to upgrade.

The camera

I was eagerly waiting to start writing this paragraph. The camera on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is just perfectly splendid! The 12 Pro Max features a set of three cameras on its back, apart from the selfie camera and the wide-angle selfie camera. In the back, the combination of a regular, ultra-wide and telephoto lens makes for a fantastic camera set.

In broad daylight, the camera captures stunning pictures, accurately managing to capture all the colours and black spots alike. The ultra-wide lens takes some beautiful looking crisp shots with its f/1.6 lens and I cannot wait to start using it in my travels.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max takes terrific photos at low light, even with the ultra-wide camera

But the camera truly starts to show its calibre in low light. The 12 Pro Max features a bigger camera sensor on the back, compared to other iPhone models, which means it can detect more light even in low-lit scenarios, taking bright pictures with less noise. Shooting photos in the dark, even portraits, can be a delightful experience with this phone.

Portraits in the smartphone come out stunning, as usual, thanks to the LIDAR sensor that allows it to take stunning portraits even at night with the ultra-wide camera and you can shoot videos in 4K. The improved sensor-shift stabilisation, which moves the sensor itself to reduce vibration, combined with the smart HDR feature and night mode, makes it perhaps the best smartphone camera to date. Maybe this time, I'll really sell my DSLR off.

Verdict

With the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple really delivers on its promise. If you're willing to look past the size, it's a terrific smartphone and simply the best iPhone to date – especially if you are really into photography. But if you're just a casual user, maybe you can wait this one out considering the massive size and price tag of a thousand dollars, the wasted 5G feature that contributed to that price and a minimal upgrade compared to iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.

Pictures: Zarif Faiaz