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iPhone Q&A

Update Published September 20, 2024

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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 and iPhone 12 both have been discontinued. 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 on the used market.

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.

iPhone 11, iPhone 12
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 11
iPhone 12
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 was shipped with six different color options whereas the iPhone 12 originally was available in five different colors.

iPhone 11 Color Options
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 11 Colors)

The iPhone 11 (above), was offered 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.

iPhone 12 Color Options
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.

iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Side - 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 11
iPhone 12
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 11
iPhone 12
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

iPhone 11 (US/Canada)

A2111

iPhone 11 (Global)

A2221

iPhone 11 (China/Hong Kong)

A2223

iPhone 12 (US)

A2172

iPhone 12 (Canada/Japan)

A2402

iPhone 12 (Global)

A2403

iPhone 12 (China)

A2404

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 11
iPhone 12
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 11
iPhone 12
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. Later iPhone 12 models shipped with iOS 16.

Both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models support iOS 16 with the exception of the minor Accessibility Detection and improved Depth of Field features.

Feature support between the two lines starts to diverge more with iOS 17; the iPhone 11 supports the operating system with the exception of the React with Your Hands; More Accurate Autocorrect in English, French, and Spanish; Inline Predictions (English); and Point and Speak features. The iPhone 12 only lacks support for the Point and Speak accessibility functionality.

For iOS 18, the current version of the iOS, neither line supports the Messages via Satellite and Apple Intelligence (AI) features, but the older iPhone 11 also lacks support for Live audio transcriptions, Eye Tracking, and Music Haptics whereas the iPhone 12 does support these features.

iPhone 11 & iPhone 12 Comparison Chart

These differences as well as other details and pricing information is summarized below:

  iPhone 11
iPhone 11
iPhone 12
iPhone 12
Introduced: Sep 2019 Oct 2020
Discontinued: Sep 2022 Sep 2023
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 18 iOS 18
Orig. Price* (US): US$699
US$749
US$849
US$829
US$879
US$979

* 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. 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. Finally, Apple discontinued the iPhone 12 on September 12, 2023.

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 (and ignoring subsequent models), it can be a difficult decision because the iPhone 11 is quite capable and originally cost a significant US$230 less. Now that both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 only are available on the used market, the value proposition may have shifted somewhat, but in general, the iPhone 11 should always cost less.

However, 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. It likely will have current iOS support for longer, as well.

In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells 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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