Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 12 weighs 164g, making it noticeably easier to carry than the 211g Apple iPhone 18 Pro. The Pro has a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED display with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and raises maximum storage from 256GB to 2TB. The older model suits a lighter daily companion; the Pro is more relevant for users who want smoother scrolling and far more room for recordings and files.

Over a full contract, the 12 works out around £287 all-in, about £929 less than the 18 Pro.

Release Date
23 October 2020 18 September 2026
Expert Rating
4.3
18 reviews
4.6
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.3"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED 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 A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery
2,815 mAh 4,056 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
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 150.0 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm
Weight
164 grams 211 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 (£959.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£128.00 £1197.00
Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 18 Pro Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Release Date 23 October 2020 18 September 2026
Expert Rating 4.3
18 reviews
4.6
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.3"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED 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 A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery 2,815 mAh 4,056 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
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 150.0 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm
Weight 164 grams 211 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
£959.00 upfront
SIM-free £128.00 £1197.00
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 18 Pro
Apple iPhone 18 Pro

24 Months

256GB

Black

15GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11.95 a month, £959 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 18 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 18 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 18 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 both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 18 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 18 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 18 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro use?

The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro uses the Apple A20 Pro (2 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 12 is the more portable of the two: it's 47g 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 18 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 18 Pro run?

The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Apple iPhone 18 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.