As smartphone technology rapidly evolves, comparative speed tests have become a widely followed metric for gauging performance improvements. PhoneBuff’s rigorous, robotic testing methodology is a popular benchmark within the tech community, offering a visual assessment of processing power across devices. In a newly released analysis, the firm put six generations of iPhone pro Max models – from the iPhone 12 Pro Max through the recently released iPhone 17 Pro Max – through a comprehensive suite of performance tasks, revealing the incremental gains Apple has made in it’s flagship devices.
Smartphone speed tests have become a popular way to visually compare performance across different devices, and PhoneBuff’s robotic testing method is particularly well-known. While not considered scientifically definitive, these tests offer a compelling and often surprisingly addictive look at how phones stack up.
In its latest video, PhoneBuff undertook its most ambitious speed test yet, pitting six generations of iPhone Pro Max models against each other – from the iPhone 12 Pro Max all the way to the iPhone 17 Pro Max via 9to5Mac. This type of comparative analysis is increasingly important as smartphone capabilities expand and users demand more from their devices.
The test provides a clear, visual representation of the incremental improvements Apple has made year after year, demonstrating how these small gains accumulate over time. The testing process included tasks like capturing and processing images, gaming performance, and handling more demanding workflows such as photo and video editing.
Interestingly, the iPhone 13 Pro Max held its own surprisingly well against much newer models during several phases of the test. However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max ultimately outperformed all competitors, finishing the test with a significant lead. (Spoiler alert.)
Even for viewers who typically aren’t interested in these kinds of comparisons, the video offers a unique and insightful perspective. It highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of each iPhone generation and illustrates how far Apple has come in the past five years.
You can watch the full speed test below:
