Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering an upgrade, from phone size, screen, battery life, camera, and price. iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 11 Buyer’s Guide.
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iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 11 – At a Glance
With the iPhone 12 now being able to boast that it is one of the best-rated phones ever (according to CNET), you may find yourself wondering what the main differences are between it and the iPhone 11. Is it worth spending your hard-earned cash on getting that upgrade? In this section, we will provide the main differences between the two models in a simple table for those of you in a hurry. If you wish to know more detail about the differences between these models, we break each phone down and go into more depth further on.
From $699
4G
Liquid Retina HD display
Dual 12MP Night mode photography and wide-angle lens camera
A13 Bionic processor
Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB
Available in white, black, red, blue, green, and purple
From $799
5G capable
Ceramic OLED display for definition and durability
Dual 12MP camera with ultra-wide and night mode
Wireless charging
Available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB
Available in white, black, red, blue, and green
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 11 – Design and Screen Size
There are several notable differences in the design between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 11, but let’s start by going over the similarities.
Both models have a headphone jack, are capable of wireless charging, and are water-proof to an IP68 rating.
The iPhone 11 has an LCD, whereas the iPhone 12 has an OLED display. This is a great new feature because the magnetic backing makes it safe to be used with MagSafe chargers. Also, the screen of the iPhone 12 has no raised buttons and is flat around the edges, with a screen that is strengthened by ceramic coating. The iPhone 11 has raised buttons and the screen is not as durable.
If colors are your thing, both the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 12 have quite a few on offer. The iPhone 11 has six: red, green, yellow, purple, black, and white.
The iPhone 12 has five: white, black, red, mint green, and navy blue.
The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch screen (the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch screen and the 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch screen), and the iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch screen (the iPhone 11 Pro had a 5.8-inch screen and the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch screen).
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 11 – Cameras
As you might expect, the camera of the iPhone 12 is more advanced than that of the iPhone 11, especially if you opt to go for the iPhone 12 Pro or Pro Max.
The way the camera operates on the iPhone 12 is fairly similar to that of the iPhone 11, but with the addition of Night Mode shooting, which also works with the ultra-wide and the selfie cameras too. Another new addition is the inclusion of HDR – perfect for those awkward photos that seem to have many light and dark areas.
If you look at the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, you will see the largest improvements. They include a larger image sensor and a fourth camera, a telephoto lens for long-distance pictures. The iPhone 12 Pro has a more standard 2X zoom, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro has a 2.5X zoom.
All of this being said, the iPhone 11’s camera is still incredible. With both the Night Mode and the ultra-wide lens, it is still better than many of those on the market right now.
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 11 – Battery and Processor Chips
When you purchase the iPhone 11, you will be getting a phone that runs off an A13 processor chip. With the iPhone 12, you get an upgraded and even faster A14 processor chip. Although it should be noted that at times the difference between the two is not always obvious, but if you like to browse the web with multiple tabs open, or are an avid photographer who is always snapping pictures, you will likely notice the faster speeds.
Another thing worth mentioning about the A14 processor chip is that it is designed to be future-proof, and will be supported by all of the iOS updates for years to come.
According to tests done by CNET, the iPhone 11’s battery life lasts for approximately fourteen hours, whereas the iPhone 12’s battery lasted for approximately seventeen.
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 11 – Price and Unlocking
You can pick up an iPhone 12 from $799 (or possibly less in seasonal deals) and the iPhone 11 from $699 (or possibly less in seasonal deals). Without a doubt, the cheapest way to purchase either of these devices is by buying it from a carrier, carrier-locked. This is because you typically spend more when purchasing an unlocked device. Once you have your carrier-locked phone, you can visit a third-party website (a great one we’ve found works fast and free is iphoneimei.net) and use the website to unlock your phone online.
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 11 – Specs
Display size, resolution | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels | 6.1-inch LCD; 1,792×828 pixels |
Pixel density | 460ppi | 326ppi |
Dimensions (Inches) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 in | 5.94×2.98×0.33 in |
Dimensions (Millimeters) | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 150.9×75.7×8.3 mm |
Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 5.78oz; 164g | 6.84 oz; 194g |
Mobile software | iOS 14 | iOS 13 |
Camera | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
Video capture | 4K | 4K |
Processor | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A13 Bionic |
Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
RAM | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
Expandable storage | No | No |
Battery | Apple claims 15 hours of video playback | Apple claims it will last 1 hour longer than iPhone XR |
Fingerprint sensor | No (Face ID) | No (Face ID) |
Connector | Lightning | Lightning |
Headphone jack | No | No |
Special features | 5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging | Water-resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging |
Price off-contract (USD) | $799 (64GB), $849 (128GB), $949 (256GB) | $599 (64GB), $649 (128GB), $749 (256GB) |
This article should have cleared up the similarities and differences between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 11 and helped you to come to an informed decision over which to purchase. The iPhone 12 does have the latest technology and a faster processor, but if you have a budget, the iPhone 11 is an excellent alternative. You will not be disappointed with either.
