Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone XS
The Verdict
iPhone 12 delivers substantially better performance and modern features at a lower price than the aging iPhone XS. Apple's A14 Bionic processor crushes the A12, offering roughly 40% faster CPU performance and superior GPU capabilities. Display technology favors the 12 with its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED offering 1200 nits peak brightness versus XS's 725 nits, plus a larger screen in a comparable footprint. Camera improvements include a wider f/1.6 aperture, Dolby Vision HDR video, and an ultrawide lens absent on XS. Battery capacity improved to 2815 mAh with faster 20W charging and MagSafe support. Connectivity advantages go to iPhone 12: 5G capability, Wi-Fi 6, and modern construction with ceramic shield. At $799 versus $999, iPhone 12 is the clear winner, offering flagship 2020 capabilities over dated 2018 technology at lower cost.
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 XS if…
- →First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- →eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- →Excellent Super Retina OLED display
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 XS
Pros
- First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- Excellent Super Retina OLED display
- Improved Face ID speed over iPhone X
- Premium stainless steel build
Cons
- Small battery at 2658 mAh
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Minimal upgrade over iPhone X
- No Night mode for camera
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | iOS 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 177 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Stainless steel frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 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/2.4, 2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 2658 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 5.8 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2436 x 1125 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 725 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A12 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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