Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro suit different priorities. The 17 Pro is stronger for display quality, helped by its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, a higher-resolution 48MP rear camera, and a higher-resolution 18MP front camera, while the 12 is better suited to 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 17 Pro for display quality; choose the 12 if portability matters more.

The 12 is the cheaper one to own: around £287 over a typical contract, £739 less than the 17 Pro.

Release Date
23 October 2020 19 September 2025
Expert Rating
4.3
18 reviews
4.5
15 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 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A19 Pro
Battery
2,815 mAh 3,988 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 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 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight
164 grams 206 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 (£25.00 upfront) £11.95/mo (£769.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£128.00 £787.00
Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 17 Pro Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Release Date 23 October 2020 19 September 2025
Expert Rating 4.3
18 reviews
4.5
15 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 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic Apple A19 Pro
Battery 2,815 mAh 3,988 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 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 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight 164 grams 206 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
£25.00 upfront
£11.95/mo
£769.00 upfront
SIM-free £128.00 £787.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12
Apple iPhone 12

24 Months

64GB

Black

Refurbished

15GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11.95 a month, £25 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£25 off)

Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

24 Months

256GB

Cosmic Orange

15GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11.95 a month, £769 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 17 Pro cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper on contract at £286.80 over the life of the deal from £11.95 per month with £25.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 17 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 17 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 17 Pro has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 17 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 17 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 17 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £128.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro use?

The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro uses the Apple A19 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 17 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is the more portable of the two: it's 42g 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 17 Pro?

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 17 Pro run?

The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Apple iPhone 17 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.