Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 15

Our verdict: Add up the full contract cost and the Apple iPhone 12 comes in £226.00 cheaper than the Apple iPhone 15. Camera resolution goes to the Apple iPhone 15 with its 48MP rear shooter. For a lighter carry, the Apple iPhone 12 wins at 164g. If contracts aren't your thing, the Apple iPhone 12 at £124.99 SIM-free is the cheaper buy.

Expert Rating
4.3
18 reviews
4.2
12 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.1"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1179 x 2556
Pixels Per Inch
457 461
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS
iOS 14.1 Apple iOS
SIM Type
Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm
Weight
164 grams 171 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£11.95/mo (£69.00 upfront) £11.95/mo (£295.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£124.99 £299.00
Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 15 Apple iPhone 15
Expert Rating 4.3
18 reviews
4.2
12 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.1"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1179 x 2556
Pixels Per Inch 457 461
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS iOS 14.1 Apple iOS
SIM Type Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm
Weight 164 grams 171 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £11.95/mo
£69.00 upfront
£11.95/mo
£295.00 upfront
SIM-free £124.99 £299.00
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 15 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper on contract at £325.80 over the life of the deal from £11.95 per month with £69.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 15?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 15?

The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 15 has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 15?

The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £124.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 15?

The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Apple iPhone 15 comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 15 use?

The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 15 uses the Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 15?

The Apple iPhone 12 is the more portable of the two — it's 7g lighter at 164 grams, both are similar in overall footprint, and is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 15?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 15 run?

The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Apple iPhone 15 runs Apple iOS. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.