Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The Verdict
Both devices feature premium OLED displays and the A-series chip architecture, but the iPhone 14 Pro commands a $200 premium for meaningful upgrades. iPhone 12 offers a solid 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 60Hz refresh rate and the capable A14 Bionic processor, delivering reliable performance for most tasks. iPhone 14 Pro elevates the experience with a 120Hz LTPO display reaching 2000 nits brightness, the faster A16 Bionic chip, and a significantly improved camera system headlined by a 48MP main sensor with 3x telephoto capability. Battery capacity improves from 2815mAh to 3200mAh, and charging speeds increase from 20W to 27W. The iPhone 12 remains an excellent value proposition for users prioritizing core functionality, while the iPhone 14 Pro justifies its higher price through superior display smoothness, computational photography capabilities, and longevity potential. For most consumers, iPhone 12 provides exceptional everyday performance. Professionals and photography enthusiasts should choose iPhone 14 Pro.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro if…
- →Introduced the Dynamic Island cutout design
- →Massive 48 MP camera jump with ProRAW support
- →Always-on display first on iPhone
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Pros
- Introduced the Dynamic Island cutout design
- Massive 48 MP camera jump with ProRAW support
- Always-on display first on iPhone
- ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- Compact Pro form factor easy to handle one-handed
Cons
- Still uses Lightning connector at $999
- Heavy stainless steel frame
- Charging speeds lag far behind Android rivals
- Smaller battery than Pro Max model
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | iOS 16 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 206 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Stainless steel frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.85 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 12 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP 3x |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 3200 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 27W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2556 x 1179 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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