iPhone 12 Pro Max · 2020
iPhone 12 Pro Max:
fix it or upgrade?
What Apple charges to fix an iPhone 12 Pro Max, what it's worth in trade-in, and whether it's smarter to keep it one more year.
Updated 9 November 2026 · US prices, before sales tax
Usually, fix it. A new battery costs $89, about 8% of the $1,089 a new iPhone 18 Pro Max costs after trading in your iPhone 12 Pro Max. A screen repair is $329, about 30% of that.
The one thing no repair can give it is Apple Intelligence. If you want that, upgrading is the only route.
Tap what's broken, set your battery health, and get your exact iPhone 12 Pro Max verdict.
Get your exact estimateiPhone 12 Pro Max repair prices
| Repair | Without AppleCare+ | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | $89 | $0 when health is under 80% |
| Screen | $329 | $29 |
| Back glass | $499 | $29 |
| Screen + back glass | $599 | $58 |
| Rear camera | $199 | $99 |
| Other damage | $599 | $99 |
Apple's US estimates for repairs done by Apple, before sales tax. Apple confirms the final price after inspecting the phone.
How long will it get updates?
Apple has typically supported iPhones with iOS updates for about seven years. On that pattern, the iPhone 12 Pro Max (released 2020) has roughly 1 more year of updates. That's our estimate, not an Apple promise.
Fix it when
- Battery health is under 80%, or the phone dies before the day ends. $89 fixes both.
- You only have one crack to repair, and the phone otherwise does everything you need.
- You want it to last another year or two without spending hundreds.
Upgrade when
- You want Apple Intelligence. It needs an iPhone 15 Pro, or any iPhone 16 or newer.
- Several things are broken at once. Screen and back glass together cost $599, and other damage is $599.
- You want updates for years to come. The iPhone 12 Pro Max likely has about 1 year left.
Worth knowing
A cracked back costs $499 on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, $150 more than on the iPhone 12 ($349).
Other damage, such as water or a broken Face ID, costs $599, against $449 on the iPhone 12.
Trade-in is up to $210, $90 more than for an iPhone 12.
It has a telephoto lens. The iPhone 17 and iPhone Air don't, so if you use zoom, compare with another Pro.
Keeping it is greener too. Making a new iPhone 18 Pro Max creates about 55 kg of CO₂e, according to Apple's environmental report. That's roughly the same as driving a car 140 miles.
Questions
How much does Apple charge to replace the iPhone 12 Pro Max battery?
$89 without AppleCare+, before sales tax. With AppleCare+ it's free once battery health drops below 80%.
How much is an iPhone 12 Pro Max screen repair?
Apple charges $329 without AppleCare+, or $29 with it.
Is the iPhone 12 Pro Max worth fixing in 2026?
Usually yes. A battery ($89) or screen ($329) costs a fraction of the $1,089 a iPhone 18 Pro Max costs after trade-in. Upgrade if you want Apple Intelligence or several parts are broken.
What's the iPhone 12 Pro Max trade-in value?
Apple currently offers up to $210 in the US for an iPhone 12 Pro Max in good condition. Cracked or damaged phones get less.
Does the iPhone 12 Pro Max support Apple Intelligence?
No. Apple Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 or newer.