If you’re trying to remember when the iPhone 12 Pro Max officially hit the shelves, your brain probably feels a little fuzzy. That’s because the year 2020 was, well, weird. Usually, Apple drops its flagship phones in September like clockwork. But that year, things went sideways. Supply chains were a mess, and everyone was stuck at home.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max came out on November 13, 2020.
It wasn't a standard launch. Honestly, it was one of the most staggered releases in the history of the company. You couldn't just walk into a store and grab one alongside the regular iPhone 12. There were weeks of waiting, a lot of refreshing browser tabs, and a "virtual" keynote that felt more like a polished movie than a tech event.
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The October Surprise and the "Hi, Speed" Event
Apple officially announced the phone on October 13, 2020, during their "Hi, Speed" event. This was the first time they ever unveiled four different iPhones at once. You had the mini, the 12, the Pro, and the massive Pro Max.
But here is where it gets confusing.
Even though they were all announced on the same day, they didn't share a birthday. The iPhone 12 and the regular 12 Pro were the first out of the gate. They were available for pre-order on October 16 and shipped on October 23. If you wanted the big boy—the 12 Pro Max—you had to sit on your hands for nearly another month.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 Pro Max didn't even start until November 6, 2020.
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Why the Delay Actually Mattered
A lot of people think the delay was just about logistics, but there was a bit of strategy there too. The 12 Pro Max wasn't just a "bigger" version of the Pro that year. It actually had better camera hardware. While the regular Pro had a standard telephoto lens, the Max version featured a 47% larger sensor and sensor-shift optical image stabilization.
Basically, it was the "true" flagship.
Waiting until November 13 felt like an eternity for the power users who wanted that specific camera tech. Also, 2020 was the year Apple finally jumped into the 5G game. That was the big marketing push. "Hi, Speed" wasn't just about the processor; it was about the cellular data.
Key Dates for the iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Announcement Date: October 13, 2020
- Pre-order Date: November 6, 2020
- Official Release Date: November 13, 2020
- Discontinued Date: September 14, 2021 (When the iPhone 13 Pro Max arrived)
What the World Thought at Launch
Looking back, the reception was kinda mixed but mostly positive. People loved the return to the flat edges—it felt like a callback to the iPhone 4 and 5 days. It was sophisticated. But then there was the "box" controversy.
This was the year Apple stopped including the power brick and EarPods.
They claimed it was for the environment. Critics claimed it was for the profit margins. Regardless of which side you fell on, it changed the unboxing experience forever. You got a slim box, a USB-C to Lightning cable, and the phone. That was it.
The price tag was also a talking point. It started at $1,099 for the 128GB model. If you wanted the 512GB version, you were looking at nearly $1,400. In a year where the economy was shaky, that was a big ask. Yet, the Pro Max ended up being one of the most popular models in the lineup because people were spending more time on their devices than ever.
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Is the iPhone 12 Pro Max Still Worth It?
It's 2026. The 12 Pro Max is officially an "old" phone. But here's the thing: the A14 Bionic chip was so over-engineered at the time that it still holds up fairly well for basic tasks.
You've got 5G. You've got MagSafe. You've got a screen that’s still gorgeous.
However, the 60Hz refresh rate is the real deal-breaker now. Once you’ve used a ProMotion display (the 120Hz screens on the 13 Pro and later), going back to the 12 Pro Max feels... slow. It’s sort of like going from high-speed internet back to DSL. You can do it, but you'll notice the lag in every scroll.
If you are looking to pick one up today, you’re likely finding it on the refurbished market. Apple stopped selling them new back in September 2021, but they occasionally pop up on their "Certified Refurbished" page or on sites like Swappa and Back Market.
Real-World Longevity
- Battery Life: The 3,687 mAh battery was a beast back then. Today? If it's the original battery, it's probably struggling.
- Software: It still supports the latest iOS versions for now, but we are definitely approaching the "end of life" for major updates in the next year or two.
- Camera: Honestly, it still takes better photos than most mid-range Android phones coming out today. The Night Mode is legit.
How to Check Your Own "Release" Info
If you’re holding an iPhone 12 Pro Max and wondering exactly when your specific unit was born, you can actually check. Go to Settings > General > About and look for your serial number. While it won't give you a date directly, there are plenty of online coverage checkers where you can plug that in to see when your warranty originally started.
Knowing when the iPhone 12 Pro Max came out helps put the tech timeline in perspective. It was the bridge between the old "rounded" design and the modern 5G era we're in now.
Next Steps for You:
If you're currently using a 12 Pro Max and notice the battery is draining fast, check your Battery Health in settings. If it's below 80%, a $89 battery replacement from Apple is a much smarter move than dropping $1,200 on a new model. If you're looking to sell one, make sure to factory reset it and remove your iCloud lock first, as that's the number one reason trade-ins get rejected.