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Smartphone comparison

Google Pixel 8a vs iPhone 12 Pro Max

Compare cameras, battery, screen and everyday features.

Compared products
01Selected
Google Pixel 8a

Google Pixel 8a

  • 188 g.
  • About 120 Hz display refresh rate.
  • About 6.1 inch screen.
  • Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) processor.
  • 8 GB RAM in this version.
KSh 50,000In Stock
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02
iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • 228 g.
  • About 6.7 inch screen.
  • Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) processor.
  • 6 GB RAM in this version.
  • Storage: NVMe.
KSh 52,500In Stock
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Google Pixel 8KSh 54,000
Google Pixel 9aKSh 53,500
Samsung Galaxy S23 RefurbishedKSh 49,000
iPhone 14KSh 52,000
Poco X7 ProKSh 50,500
Nothing Phone (4b)KSh 46,000
OnePlus Nord CE 6 5GKSh 46,500
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Google Pixel 8a runs Android and has a bigger battery (4,492 mAh), more RAM (8 GB) and a higher-resolution main camera (64 MP), while the iPhone 12 Pro Max runs iOS, has optical zoom and a larger 6.7-inch screen and charges faster wirelessly (15 W).

Weight

Google Pixel 8a
188 g
iPhone 12 Pro Max
228 g

Display

Google Pixel 8a
About 6.1 inch screen
iPhone 12 Pro Max
About 6.7 inch screen

Performance

Google Pixel 8a
Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) processor
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) processor

Memory

Google Pixel 8a
8 GB RAM in this version
iPhone 12 Pro Max
6 GB RAM in this version

Storage

Google Pixel 8a
UFS 3.1
iPhone 12 Pro Max
NVMe

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Google Pixel 8a

  • Bigger battery: 4,492 mAh (vs 3,687 mAh).
  • More memory: 8 GB RAM (vs 6 GB).
  • Higher-resolution main camera: 64 MP (vs 12 MP).
  • Brighter display: up to 2,000 nits (vs 1,200).
  • Newer Wi-Fi 6E (vs Wi-Fi 6).
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.3 (vs 5.0).

iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • IP68 water and dust resistance (vs IP67).
  • Telephoto camera with 2.5x optical zoom.
  • Larger 6.7-inch screen (vs 6.1-inch).
  • Faster wireless charging: 15 W (vs 7.5 W).
  • Stainless steel frame and glass back (vs aluminium frame and plastic back).
  • Slimmer: 7.4 mm thick (vs 8.9 mm).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
Display6.1-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 430 ppi6.7-inch OLED display, 458 ppi
Camera64 MP main camera with OIS12 MP main camera with OIS, plus a 2.5x telephoto camera
PerformanceGoogle Tensor G3 processorApple A14 Bionic processor
StorageUp to 256 GB storageUp to 512 GB storage
Battery capacity4,492 mAh battery3,687 mAh battery
Charging18 W wired, 7.5 W wireless chargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
BrandGoogleApple
ModelPixel 8aApple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Announced2024, May 072020, October 13
Release statusAvailable. Released 2024, May 14Available. Released 2020, November 13
Model numbersGKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576DA2411, A2342, A2410, A2412, iPhone13,4
Device type / form family—Smartphone
SAR (EU)—0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)
Tested camera—Photo / Video
Tested battery (old)—Endurance rating 95h

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
Dimensions152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 in)
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)228 g (8.04 oz)
Build materialsGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic backGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frame

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
Display6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio); OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak)Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak); 6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Screen resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density)1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Display protectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Ceramic Shield glass
Display featuresOLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak)HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Display technology—Super Retina XDR OLED
Display size—6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Brightness—800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
HDR formats—HDR10, Dolby Vision
Pixel density—~458 ppi
Aspect ratio—19.5:9 ratio
Screen-to-body ratio—~87.4% screen-to-body ratio

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
ProcessorGoogle Tensor G3 (4 nm)Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
CPUNona-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.37 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.70 GHz Cortex-A510)Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm)
GPUMali-G715 MP7Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
Process node—5 nm

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
RAM8GB6GB
Storage128GB / 256GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Storage technologyUFS 3.1NVMe
Expandable storageNoNo
Memory configurations128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
Rear camera64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.9", 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS; 12 MP, f/2.2, 65mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom; 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm; TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Front camera13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm; SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Rear camera featuresDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best TakeDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Rear camera video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.
Front camera featuresHDR, panoramaHDR
Front camera video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Wide camera—12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.9", 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
Telephoto camera—12 MP, f/2.2, 65mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom
Ultra-wide camera—12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Additional rear cameras—TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
BatteryLi-Po 4492 mAhLi-Ion 3687 mAh (14.13 Wh)
Charging18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass chargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min; 15W wireless (MagSafe); 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.4 update
Battery technology—Li-Ion
Wireless charging—15W wireless (MagSafe); 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.4 update

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
Operating systemAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 17, up to 7 major OS updatesiOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 27

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
NetworkGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM; · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; CDMA 800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100; CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International); 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71 - G8HHN (USA), GKV4X (NA)1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2342; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2411, A2412; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2410
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International); 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GKV4X (NA); 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8HHN (USA)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - A2342; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 Sub6 - A2410, A2411, A2412
Network speedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
NFCYesYes
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent)Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2Lightning, USB 2.0
Ultra Wideband (UWB)—Ultra Wideband (UWB) support

Durability

Durability specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
Water resistanceIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min)

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
ColorsObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, AloeSilver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
LoudspeakersYes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo

Tests

Tests specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
Performance benchmarksAnTuTu: 1193520 (v10) GeekBench: 4384 (v6) 3DMark: 2427 (Wild Life Extreme)AnTuTu: 638584 (v8); GeekBench: 4240 (v5.1); GFXBench: 55fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
Measured display brightness1508 nits max brightness (measured)822 nits max brightness (measured)
Measured loudspeaker loudness-26.5 LUFS (Good)-23.8 LUFS (Very good)
Active use battery scoreActive use score 11:25h—
Legacy battery endurance ratingEndurance rating 83h—

EU label

EU label specifications comparison
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8aiPhone 12 Pro Max
EnergyClass B—
Battery40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles—
Free fallClass A (270 falls)—
RepairabilityClass B—

Similarities

  • Both have optical image stabilisation.
  • Both have NFC.
  • Both have stereo speakers.
  • Both have OLED displays.
  • Both support wireless charging.
  • Both support 5G networks.

In summary

Get the Google Pixel 8a if you want Android and a bigger battery, or the iPhone 12 Pro Max if you would rather have iOS and optical zoom.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Samsung Galaxy S23 RefurbishedFor Google Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S23 RefurbishedView product ↗Google Pixel 7 ProFor Google Pixel 8aGoogle Pixel 7 ProView product ↗iPhone 14For iPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone 14View product ↗Google Pixel 9aFor iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9aView product ↗

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