We will be getting to the iPhone 11 vs 12 comparisons in a moment, but let us tell you that whichever of these phones you opt for will have you confess its majesty. In simple words, iPhone 11 series was launched back on September 20th, 2019, and since then has been announced as the third-best-selling device of all time.
Declared as the fastest to 100 million units sale after iPhone 6, the Apple 12, launched in 2020 on October 23, secured this benchmark two months earlier than its predecessor, iPhone 11. All these facts and figures are to make you familiar with the might of both devices.
Let’s look at a thorough comparison between iPhone 11 vs 12, extending to all of their models.
What Models Does the iPhone 11 Series Feature?
Like the older series by Apple, the iPhone 11 wasn’t the only model or variant to feature in the announcement. iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max accompanied the device to the shelves at the market.
What Models Does the iPhone 12 Series Feature?
Apple launched its not-so-old iPhone 12 series with the same models as iPhone 11 including, iPhone 12 itself, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and iPhone 12 mini — the latest in the iPhone 12 lineup.
iPhone 11 vs 12
You now know the models that Apple iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 lineups featured, we will compare all of them to their respective models, just so you have a more profound comprehension of the devices.
However, before we start with the iPhone 11 vs 12 comparisons, let us dig a little deeper into their price tags. The iPhone 11 lineup starts at $500, while its successor, iPhone 12 starts at $700 as of 2022.
These are just starting prices; they will only elevate with the models. For iPhone 11 series, they can go up to $850, and for the latter, you can expect a $150 hike, accounting for a $1000 round figure.
iPhone 11 vs 12: Base Model Build Quality
The Winner: Tie
Both the iPhones have a gorilla glass build, framed with aluminum. However, since the gorilla glass version has not been specified, you should not use it as a fool-proof armor for your phone. It is not clear if they will be in one piece or shattered into uncountable pieces.
The latter has more chances though.
The Apple iPhone 11 weighs 194g, while the iPhone 12 weighs at 164g. Now if you want a lighter device between the two, you know which to opt for. As for the water resistance, the iPhone 11 can survive 30 mins into a 2m of water depth.
Its successor, the iPhone 12, can survive 30 mins into a 6m water depth.
iPhone 12 Display
The Winner: iPhone 12
The first and probably the biggest difference between the base models is the display. The former, iPhone 11, features a 6.1 inches LCD display. While the latter, iPhone 12, features a 6.1 inches OLED display. — Both at standard refresh rates.
Now let us tell you how both displays can affect your day-to-day usage. Being quite honest, it depends upon your preference. If you prefer opting for a vibrant, high-contrast display, OLED will do extraordinarily well for you.
However, LCDs are no less vibrant or high-contrast, it is just they are powered by a single LED backlight, so don’t illuminate as sharply as OLEDs, which are organic light-emitting diodes, where each pixel emits its own light.
To put it all simply, if you are buying either of them to only handle calls, texts, and games, both the displays would suffice. The OLED, however, might give a bit more in the game part, but would definitely excel with cameras.
With an OLED display, you would be able to view the photos with more enhancement, sharpness, vividness, and contrast; the same goes for the video, you’d be able to watch it better with an OLED as compared to an LCD.
Also, the iPhone 11 features scratch-resistant glass with an oleophobic coating, while the winner, iPhone 12, features a scratch-resistant ceramic glass with an oleophobic coating. Both the displays are good and protect well against scratches, somehow against the drops, but ceramic suits best in extreme-heat situations.
iPhone 12 Cameras
The Winner: iPhone 12
Both the devices, iPhone 11 vs 12, feature two 12 MP lenses as rear cameras. However, like every modern technology, there is a catch between the two. The iPhone 12 camera performs a bit better than iPhone 11’s.
It is because the aperture in the successor, iPhone 12, is lower than the aperture in the predecessor, iPhone 11. To simplify it all, lower apertures let more light enter the shots, while the higher apertures do the opposite.
The iPhone 12’s camera resulted in better dynamic shots than iPhone 11 with the wide cameras. However, both performed the same with ultrawide lenses. Also, both the devices have the same video-shooting capabilities.
You can, with both of them, shoot 4K videos at 60 fps max. However, both of them expand to 240 fps @1080p. As for the selfie cameras, both the models feature a single 12 MP lens allowing for 4K recordings @60 fps, and 1080p recordings @120 fps max.
iPhone 12 Performance
The Winner: iPhone 12
Unless your usage with any of these iPhones is profoundly rigorous, performance should not matter to you. It is because both the iPhones will meet your day-to-day smartphone needs without dissipating a joule of heat, and you’ll love the way they’ll do so.
As for the comparison or the difference between both, the iPhone 11 is equipped with an Apple A13 Bionic chipset, and the iPhone 12 comes packed with an Apple A14 Bionic chipset. The former is a 7 nanometer (nm+) processor, and the latter is a 5nm processor.
Put it this way, the iPhone 12 will perform slightly better than the iPhone 11, but it’ll only be visible when you use your iPhone to its extreme limits.
iPhone 11 Battery
The Winner: iPhone 11 for its battery capacity
iPhone 12 for its fast-charging support
Apart from the displays, which are one of the biggest differences between both the devices, the battery is the second of them. The iPhone 11 is powered by a 3110 mAh battery, which you can fast-charge with an 18W fast charging support. Your iPhone 11 will charge 50% within 30 minutes, as the adverts say.
However, iPhone 12 let iPhone 11 claim a win here. It is because the iPhone 12 features a 2815 mAh battery, which comes with a 20W fast charging support, charging your iPhone to 50% in less than 30 minutes.
So, ladies and gentlemen, we have two winners here. The iPhone 11, in terms of battery capacity. And the iPhone 12, in terms of fast charging.
Watch a detailed explanation here: iPhone 11 Vs 12
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
Build Quality | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame (7000 series) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) |
Display | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) 828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 625 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) 6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) 1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) Scratch-resistant ceramic glass, oleophobic coating |
Cameras | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6″ Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. | 12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6″ Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 30fps), stereo sound rec. |
Selfie Camera | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″ SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) HDR [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″ SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) HDR [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
Performance | iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 15.4 Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 15.4 Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
Battery | Li-Ion 3110 mAh, non-removable (11.91 Wh) Fast charging 18W, 50% in 30 min (advertised) | Li-Ion 2815 mAh, non-removable (10.78 Wh) Fast charging 20W, 50% in 30 min (advertised) |
iPhone 11 vs 12: Pro and Pro Max Models iPhone Build Quality
The winner: Tie
We don’t know if you will agree or not, but Apple ensured giving everything “Pro and Max” to its Pro and Max versions of iPhone 11 and 12. Unlike the base models, which featured an aluminum frame, the Pro and Pro Max versions of iPhone 11 vs 12, feature one made of stainless steel.
As for the front and the back, they are made up of gorilla glass, and still, the version of gorilla glass isn’t specified. So, it won’t matter if you opt for the Pro and Pro Max models of iPhone 11 and 12, you will still have to care against drops, or harsh usage.
It’s because the second they touch the floor from a considerable distance, you will see both the front, and especially the back crackled to its extreme limits. All four models, however, are IP68 water-resistant, which means the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max can survive for 30 mins into 4m of water depth.
And the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max can make it alive after being dipped for 30 mins into 6m depth of water. You don’t really have to buy any of the iPhone 11 or 12 models for their water-resistance as they aren’t made for that.
Opt for them, if you are an Apple enthusiast, or want to leap away from the status quo.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Display
The winner: Tie
Though rumored, neither of their Pro and Pro Max models featured a 120Hz refresh rate, which means all four models will function at a standard refresh rate of 60Hz. The iPhone 11 Pro measures a screen size of 5.8 inches, while its competitor in this case, iPhone 12 Pro measures around 6.1 inches.
It means the latter will feel a bit bigger in your hands, and obviously with the display as well. However, the former, iPhone 11 Pro, won’t feel small, because 5.8 inches, for some people, is an ideal size, might as well for you. Both the phones are handy, it majorly depends on what size you appreciate more.
For their Pro Max versions, things may get out of your hands. It is because the iPhone 11 Pro Max boasts a screen size of 6.5 inches, 0.2 inches lesser than iPhone 12 Pro Max, which measures around 6.7 inches.
Now for the panels, unlike the base model of iPhone 11, its Pro and Pro Max versions feature Super Retina XDR OLED displays. And like the base model of iPhone 12, its Pro and Pro Max versions feature the same displays, i.e., Super Retina XDR OLED.
All four models including, iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max are scratch-resistant as they feature the respective screen protections. However, the latter series, unlike iPhone 11 series, feature scratch-resistant ceramic glass, which performs a bit better under extreme heat than the standard scratch-resistant glass installed in iPhone 11 series.
Also, all of them have an oleophobic coating, you would see no or less fingerprints on your screen.
iPhone 12 Pro Cameras
The winner: iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
Apparently, you’d find three lenses on the back of all four models including iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max. All of them have many similarities and fewer differences. Let’s go with the similarities first.
All four models feature all three lenses of the same megapixels, which is 12 MP. It includes wide, telephoto, and ultrawide. And as we discussed in their base model’s comparison, the cameras of iPhone 12 series manage to perform better here as well, with the wide cameras.
Because the wide cameras of iPhone 12 series have lower aperture. However, the other two cameras, including the telephoto and ultrawide, both perform the same in all four models, provided their uniform specifications.
Not to forget that one difference among them, the telephoto with the iPhone 12 Pro Max will produce better results as compared to the three of them. The reason is it has a generous 65mm angle that captures a larger area, accounting for an even expanded photo.
All four models let you record 4K videos @60 fps max, and full HD videos @240 fps max. Their selfie cameras are 12 MP each, allowing for good captures and 60 fps for 4K video recording, and 120 fps for full HD video recording.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max Performance
The Winner: iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
Like the base models of both the series, iPhone 11 vs 12, their Pro and Pro Max versions feature the same processors. The iPhone 11 series, from its base model to its Pro Max model, features Apple A13 Bionic chipset based on 7nm+ technology.
On the other hand, the iPhone 12 series, from its base model to its Pro Max models, feature Apple A14 Bionic chipset based on 5nm technology. And as obvious, it is the technology and performance that declares iPhone 12 series the winner in this iPhone 11 vs 12 comparison.
We have been iterating the fact that opting for the winner or loser is only for the pros of smartphones, you won’t feel a thing if you are a day-to-day smartphone user, and not a multitasker pushing the iPhone to its limits.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max Battery
The Winner: iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max for their battery capacities. iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max for their fast charging support
As we said, everything is maxed in here in the iPhone 11 and 12 series, you can’t complain about the battery life and the capacity. That said, the iPhone 11 Pro is backed with a 3046 mAh battery that you can fast-charge with an 18W fast charging support. As for its successor, the iPhone 11 Pro Max, which features a 3969 mAh battery, can be charged with a 20W fast charger.
Now for the 2020’s flagship, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, the former features a 2815 mAh battery, which supports 20W fast charging, allowing you to fuel the iPhone to 50% in 30 mins. The latter, however, carries a 3687 mAh battery, supporting 22W fast charging support, letting you fill 60% of battery out of the total 100% in 30 mins.
Base models alike, here are two winners, the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max for their battery capacity, and iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max for their fast charging support.
Watch here: iPhone 11 vs 12 — Pro and Pro Max Models
iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max | |
Build Quality | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), stainless steel frame IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 4m for 30 mins) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), stainless steel frame IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), stainless steel frame IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 4m for 30 mins) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), stainless steel frame IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) |
Display | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) 5.8 inches, 84.4 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) 1125 x 2436 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density) Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) 6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) 1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) Scratch-resistant ceramic glass, oleophobic coating | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) 6.5 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) 1242 x 2688 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density) Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | 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) 1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density) Scratch-resistant ceramic glass, oleophobic coating |
Cameras | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6″ Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. | 12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6″ TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps, 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6″ Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. | 12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 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), 1/3.6″ TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps, 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. |
Selfie Camera | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″ SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) HDR [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″ SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) HDR [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″ SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) HDR [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″ SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) HDR [email protected]/30/60fps, [email protected]/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
Performance | iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 15.4 Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 15.4 Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 15.4 Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 15.4 Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
Battery | Li-Ion 3046 mAh, non-removable (11.67 Wh) Fast charging 18W, 50% in 30 min (advertised) | Li-Ion 2815 mAh, non-removable (10.78 Wh) Fast charging 20W, 50% in 30 min (advertised) | Li-Ion 3969 mAh, non-removable (15.04 Wh) Fast charging 20W, 50% in 30 min (advertised) | Li-Ion 3687 mAh, non-removable (14.13 Wh) Fast charging 22W, 50% in 30 min (advertised) |
Courtesy: gsmarena.com
iPhone 11 vs 12: Mini Models
The iPhone 11 lineup didn’t feature any mini model like the iPhone 12 lineup, featuring iPhone 12 mini, which is, to us, a bit expensive as compared to its brother models. Anyways, the iPhone 12 mini is a ditto copy of the base model of its series, iPhone 12, differed by two differences only.
The first difference is of screen size, the iPhone 12 has a 6.1 inches screen size, while the iPhone 12 mini shrinks down to 5.4 inches. The second difference is battery capacity. The iPhone 12 HAS 2815 mAh battery, while the iPhone 12 mini packs a 2227 mAh power tank. However, both of them support a 20W fast charging.
Conclusion
iPhone 12 series had a visible win over iPhone 11 series in this iPhone 11 vs 12 comparisons. There was, however, one point where the winner had to swap places with the loser, and it was the battery capacity. iPhone 11 series won with bigger batteries. But, the iPhone 12 compensated their loss with 0.2x better fast charging support.
It means the iPhone 11 series offers up to 20W of fast charging support, while the overall winner elevates it up to 22W. Either of the iPhones therefore make good options for normal usage.
