Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Our Verdict: Comparing Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro, the choice mostly comes down to display quality versus portability. The 16 Pro gives you its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, a higher-resolution 48MP rear camera, and a larger 3,582 mAh battery, while the 12 is more appealing for its Super Retina XDR OLED panel and a lighter 164g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Choose the 16 Pro for display quality; choose the 12 if portability matters more.

The 12 is the cheaper one to own: around £515 over a typical contract, £361 less than the 16 Pro.

Expert Rating
4.3
18 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.3"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch
457 458
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A18 Pro
Battery
2,815 mAh 3,582 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.2, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm
Weight
164 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£19.00/mo (£9.00 upfront) £35.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£149.99 £569.99
Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Expert Rating 4.3
18 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.3"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch 457 458
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic Apple A18 Pro
Battery 2,815 mAh 3,582 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.2, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm
Weight 164 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £19.00/mo
£9.00 upfront
£35.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £149.99 £569.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12
Apple iPhone 12

24 Months

64GB

Black

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£19 per month, £9 upfront.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple iPhone 16 Pro

24 Months

128GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£35.29 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper on contract at £515.00 over the life of the deal from £19.00 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro has the bigger screen at 6.3" compared to the Apple iPhone 12's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 12 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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 16 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £149.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro use?

The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro uses the Apple A18 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is the more portable of the two: it's 35g lighter at 164 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm, and is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro run?

The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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.