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iPhone Q&A
Update Published October 21, 2022
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What are the major differences between the iPhone 12 (2020) and the iPhone 11 (2019)? Which is best for me?
The iPhone 11 has been discontinued. Apple continues to sell the iPhone 12 as new. This Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support and other details and remains quite helpful to anyone considering one of these models whether new or used.
There are three different iPhone 11 models and four different iPhone 12 models, but this EveryiPhone.com Q&A mostly covers collective differences to make it straightforward to determine which device is best for you.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left: iPhone 11; Right: iPhone 12)
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are very easy to mistake for one another even when side-by-side. The iPhone 12 is a bit smaller overall and has a modestly smaller black "frame" around the edge, but it takes an eagle eye to spot even these differences. There are much more important differences that are not visible at all.
External Design & Functionality Differences
Although both are a rounded rectangle with a glass front and back and an aluminum case, the iPhone 11 has rounded edges whereas the iPhone 12 has flat edges that make the device easier to hold. Waterproof capability and housing colors are different, too.
The iPhone 12 also uses a much higher quality and higher resolution display -- a 6.1" OLED HDR "Super Retina XDR" display (2532x1170, 460 ppi, 2 million:1 contrast ratio) -- whereas the older iPhone 11 uses a 6.1" LCD "Liquid Retina HD" display (1792x828, 326 ppi, 1400:1 contrast ratio).
Both models have stereo speakers, a Lightning port, a side-mounted Nano SIM access panel for one or two physical SIMs (depending on model), and support Face ID authentication. They both support "wireless" -- really inductive -- charging with an optional charging base, as well. However, the iPhone 12 adds a "Ceramic Shield" over the display for increased durability as well as magnetic "MagSafe" charging.
 iPhone 11 |
 iPhone 12 |
|
| Material: | Aluminum/Glass | Aluminum/Glass |
| Ceramic Shield: | No | Yes |
| Display: | 6.1" LCD | 6.1" OLED |
| Resolution: | 1792x828 | 2532x1170 |
| Water Resistance: | 2 meters | 6 meters |
| Speakers: | Two | Two |
| Security: | Face ID | Face ID |
| Inductive Charging: | Yes (Qi) | Yes (Qi) |
| MagSafe Charging: | No | Yes |
| Dimensions (In): | 5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 |
| Weight: | 6.84 oz. (194 g) | 5.78 oz. (164 g) |
Housing Color Differences
The iPhone 11 is available in six different colors whereas the iPhone 12 originally was available in five different colors.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 11 Colors)
The iPhone 11 (above), is available in black, (pastel) green, (pastel) yellow, (pastel) purple, (PRODUCT) RED, and white, left to right. The iPhone 12 (below), on the other hand, originally was available in black, white, (PRODUCT) RED, pale green, and dark blue, again, left to right.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 12 Colors)
On April 20, 2021, Apple added a sixth color option for the iPhone 12 (and iPhone 12 mini) -- purple.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 12 mini/iPhone 12 Side - Purple)
Black and white are similar between lines, but in person, (PRODUCT) RED is a warmer tone on the iPhone 12 than the iPhone 11. The green color offered by each line is quite different, as well.
Camera Differences
The cameras in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are a significant point of differentiation. Both front and rear cameras are more capable on the iPhone 12 than its predecessor.
Front Cameras
The front-facing camera on both models -- which Apple calls "TrueDepth" -- support Face ID authentication, augmented reality (AR), still photos, and video, but the iPhone 12 adds more advanced HDR, including video, as well as "Night mode" and "Deep Fusion" computional capabilities courtesy of its more advanced processor:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 12 |
|
| Megapixels: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/2.2 | f/2.2 |
| Video: | 4K | 4K (HDR) |
| Portrait Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Portrait Lighting: | Yes | Yes |
| Night Mode: | No | Yes |
| Deep Fusion: | No | Yes |
Rear Cameras
The rear camera in both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 shoot 4K video and stills and both have dual cameras, but the iPhone 12 has a smaller wide angle aperture and the processor adds improved "Deep Fusion" computational abilities, as well:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 12 |
|
| Megapixels: | 12 MP x2 | 12 MP x2 |
| Ultra Wide Angle: | f/2.4 | f/2.4 |
| Wide Angle: | f/1.8 | f/1.6 |
| Telephoto: | None | None |
| LED Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| HDR Capability: | Yes (Photos) | Yes (Video) |
| Night Mode: | Yes | Yes (+Time Lapse) |
| Digital Zoom: | 2x (Out), 5x (Up) | 2x (Out), 5x (Up) |
In basic terms, the most substantial improvement for the iPhone 12 rear camera likely is its HDR video capability.
Identification Differences
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are easy to mix up. It is not possible to visually identify specific iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 models, either.
Accordingly, one relatively easy way to uniquely identify the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models is by the Model Number listed on the cardboard shipping box and within the iOS "Settings" app.
Consequently, for the purpose of this Q&A, it is sufficient to note that the following model numbers refer to these iPhone devices:
iPhone Model |
Model No |
EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPhone models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About), and their Serial Numbers, as well.
Battery Life Differences
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 both have excellent battery life, but the iPhone 12 is a little bit better for streaming video:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 12 |
|
| Streamed Video: | 10 Hours | 11 Hours |
| Video Playback: | 17 Hours | 17 Hours |
| Audio Playback: | 65 Hours | 65 Hours |
Wireless Connectivity & Data Differences
There are notable differences in connectivity for different iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models depending on where either is sold, but most significantly, the iPhone 12 adds support for much faster 5G cellular networking.
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models support dual SIMs, but only China-specific models have dual hardware Nano SIMs. Models sold in other countries have one hardware Nano SIM and one eSIM in software.
Internal Differences
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are significantly different internally:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 12 |
|
| Clockspeed: | 2.66 GHz | 3.0 GHz |
| Processor: | Apple A13 Bionic | Apple A14 Bionic |
| Cores: | Six | Six |
| RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Architecture: | 64-Bit | 64-Bit |
| Neural Engine: | 3rd Gen | 4th Gen (16-Bit) |
| Orig. Storage: | 64/128/256 GB | 64/128/256 GB |
| Current Storage: | 64/128 GB | 64/128/256 GB |
| LTE Capability: | 4G LTE | 5G |
In benchmark tests, the iPhone 12 is around 20% faster than the iPhone 11.
iOS Support Similarities
The iPhone 11 originally shipped with iOS 13; the iPhone 12 originally shipped with iOS 14. Both models later shipped with iOS 14 and iOS 15. Current iPhone 12 models ship with the current version of the iOS, iOS 16.
Both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models support the current version of the iOS -- iOS 16 -- with the exception of the minor Accessibility Detection and improved Depth of Field features.
iPhone 11 & iPhone 12 Comparison Chart
These differences as well as other details and pricing information is summarized below:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 12 |
|
| Introduced: | Sep 2019 | Oct 2020 |
| Discontinued: | Sep 2022 | N/A |
| Processor: | 2.66 GHz A13 | 3.0 GHz A14 |
| RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Orig. Storage: | 64/128/256 GB | 64/128/256 GB |
| Current Storage: | Used Market Only | 64/128/256 GB |
| Battery Life: | 10-65 Hours | 11-65 Hours |
| Display Type: | LCD | OLED |
| Display Size: | 6.1" | 6.1" |
| Resolution: | 1792x828 | 2532x1170 |
| Pixel Density: | 326 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Contrast Ratio: | 1400:1 | 2 million:1 |
| Front Camera: | 12 MP (4K) | 12 MP (4K HDR) |
| Rear Camera: | 2 (12 MP) | 2 (12 MP) |
| HDR Video: | No | Yes |
| Material: | Alum/Glass | Alum/Glass |
| Waterproofing: | 2 meters | 6 meters |
| Colors: | Six Colors | Five Colors |
| MagSafe: | No | Yes |
| SIM Card: | Nano/eSIM | Nano/eSIM |
| Fastest Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (6) | 802.11ax (6) |
| 5G Cellular: | No | Yes |
| Original iOS: | iOS 13 | iOS 14 |
| Maximum iOS: | iOS 15 | iOS 15 |
| Orig. Price* (US): | US$699 US$749 US$849 |
US$829 US$879 US$979 |
| Curr. Price* (US): | Used Market Only | US$599 US$649 US$749 |
* Note that these prices are for devices unlocked and paid in full upfront. Carrier subsidized options also are, or were, available. On October 13, 2020, Apple dropped the price of the iPhone 11 models to US$599, US$649, and US$749, with 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB of storage, respectively. On September 14, 2021, Apple discontinued the 256 GB capacity option for the iPhone 11 and cut the price of the 64 GB and 128 GB configurations to US$499 and US$549. Apple also cut the price of the iPhone 12 configurations to US$699, US$749, and US$849, respectively. Finally, on September 7, 2022, Apple discontinued the iPhone 11 and cut the price of the iPhone 12 to US$599, US$649, and US$749 if purchased upfront.
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPhone as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPhone.com.
So, which is for me? Should I buy an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12?
Just comparing the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, it can be a difficult decision because the iPhone 11 is quite capable and originally cost a significant US$230 less. Now that the iPhone 11 only is available on the used market, it is even cheaper than a new iPhone 12, naturally.
Whether new or used, the extra money for the iPhone 12 gets you (1) a much better display, (2) 20% more speed, (3) better cameras, (4) 5G cellular, (5) MagSafe capability, (6) modestly better battery life, and (7) better waterproofing.
If you have the funds for it, the much better display, better cameras, and 5G networking likely are worth the extra money for the iPhone 12, but if you are on a tight budget, the iPhone 11 certainly is well worth considering, too.
In the US, site sponsors Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurbished iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iPhone models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
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