Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 8 Plus
The Verdict
iPhone 12 represents a generational leap forward compared to the iPhone 8 Plus, despite identical launch pricing. Display technology is dramatically superior with the 12's 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED delivering 1200 nits brightness versus the 8 Plus's 625-nit Retina LCD. Processing power from the A14 Bionic obliterates the aging A11 chip, enabling advanced computational photography and Dolby Vision video recording. Camera capabilities favor the 12 with an improved TrueDepth front sensor and superior night mode performance. Battery longevity slightly advantages the 12, though both underwhelm by modern standards. Connectivity sees 5G support exclusive to the 12, alongside Wi-Fi 6. The 8 Plus feels dated with its slower iOS version and reduced RAM at 3GB. For anyone evaluating these at equivalent prices today, the iPhone 12 offers substantially better current-generation performance, display quality, and software support justifying the choice decisively.
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 8 Plus if…
- →Wireless charging added to iPhone for the first time
- →Portrait Lighting effects for depth photography
- →Powerful A11 Bionic chipset
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 8 Plus
Pros
- Wireless charging added to iPhone for the first time
- Portrait Lighting effects for depth photography
- Powerful A11 Bionic chipset
- True Tone display technology
- Touch ID still preferred by many users
Cons
- Dated thick-bezel home button design
- Large bezels waste screen real estate
- Glass back cracks easily
- No headphone jack
- Overshadowed by iPhone X launch
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 8 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | iOS 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 202 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.8, 2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 64 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 2691 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 625 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.39 GHz + 4x1.7 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (3-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A11 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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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