iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12 Buyer’s Guide: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
In 2020, Apple introduced the iPhone 12 as the successor to the hugely popular iPhone 11, bringing a refreshed flat-edge design, OLED Super Retina XDR display technology, MagSafe charging, Ceramic Shield protection, and 5G connectivity for the first time on an iPhone. Positioned below the Pro lineup but above entry-level models like the iPhone SE, the iPhone 12 quickly became one of Apple’s most popular mainstream smartphones.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 11 continued to remain on sale at a lower price point, making it an attractive option for buyers looking to save money without sacrificing performance. Even years later, both devices are still widely available in refurbished and second-hand markets, raising an important question: should you buy the more affordable iPhone 11, or is the iPhone 12 worth the extra cost?
This detailed buyer’s guide compares the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 side-by-side, highlighting all of the major differences in design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, connectivity, and overall value.
iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12: Quick Overview
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 share many core features, including:
-
6.1-inch display size
-
Dual-camera systems
-
Face ID
-
Aluminum frame construction
-
Similar battery life
-
Lightning connector
-
iOS support
-
64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options
However, the iPhone 12 introduces several important upgrades, such as:
-
OLED Super Retina XDR display
-
5G connectivity
-
A14 Bionic chip
-
MagSafe support
-
Ceramic Shield front glass
-
Improved low-light photography
-
Dolby Vision HDR recording
-
Slimmer and lighter design
For many users, these upgrades significantly improve the overall experience, especially in display quality and future-proofing.
iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12 Comparison Table
| Feature | iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2019 | 2020 |
| Display Type | LCD Liquid Retina HD | OLED Super Retina XDR |
| Display Size | 6.1-inch | 6.1-inch |
| Resolution | 1792×828 | 2532×1170 |
| Pixel Density | 326 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Contrast Ratio | 1400:1 | 2,000,000:1 |
| HDR Support | No | Yes |
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| Network Connectivity | 4G LTE | 5G |
| Wide Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 |
| Night Mode Front Camera | No | Yes |
| Deep Fusion Front Camera | No | Yes |
| Dolby Vision HDR Video | No | Yes |
| Night Mode Time-Lapse | No | Yes |
| MagSafe Support | No | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Qi | MagSafe + Qi |
| Water Resistance | 2 meters for 30 min | 6 meters for 30 min |
| Front Glass | Standard Glass | Ceramic Shield |
| Frame Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Weight | 194g | 162g |
| Thickness | 8.3mm | 7.4mm |
| Battery Life | Up to 17 hours video playback | Up to 17 hours video playback |
| Colors | White, Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, PRODUCT(RED) | White, Black, Blue, Green, Purple, PRODUCT(RED) |
| Storage Options | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Design and Build Quality
One of the first things you notice when comparing the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 is the design language.
The iPhone 11 uses rounded aluminum edges similar to the iPhone XR, giving it a softer and more curved appearance. The iPhone 12, however, introduces Apple’s modern flat-edge design inspired by the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5.
iPhone 11 Design
-
Rounded edges
-
Slightly thicker body
-
Heavier construction
-
More traditional iPhone feel
iPhone 12 Design
-
Flat aluminum sides
-
Slimmer bezels
-
Lighter body
-
More modern and premium appearance
The iPhone 12 is:
-
32 grams lighter
-
0.9mm thinner
-
Easier to grip for many users
Even though both phones use aluminum frames and glass backs, the iPhone 12 simply feels more refined and modern in everyday use.
Display: OLED vs LCD Is a Huge Upgrade
The display is easily the biggest improvement on the iPhone 12.
iPhone 11 Display
The iPhone 11 uses Apple’s Liquid Retina HD LCD display:
-
Good color accuracy
-
Decent brightness
-
Lower resolution
-
No true blacks
-
No HDR support
iPhone 12 Display
The iPhone 12 upgrades to an OLED Super Retina XDR display with:
-
Much deeper blacks
-
Higher contrast
-
HDR support
-
Sharper resolution
-
Better color reproduction
-
Improved viewing angles
Display Specs Comparison
| Display Feature | iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Technology | LCD | OLED |
| Resolution | 1792×828 | 2532×1170 |
| Pixel Density | 326 ppi | 460 ppi |
| HDR Support | No | Yes |
| Contrast Ratio | 1400:1 | 2,000,000:1 |
The difference is immediately noticeable when:
-
Watching movies
-
Viewing photos
-
Gaming
-
Browsing social media
-
Using dark mode
The OLED panel on the iPhone 12 makes content look significantly more vibrant and premium.
Performance: A13 vs A14 Bionic
The iPhone 11 uses the A13 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 12 upgrades to the newer A14 Bionic processor.
A13 Bionic
-
Extremely powerful even today
-
Excellent gaming performance
-
Smooth multitasking
-
Great power efficiency
A14 Bionic
-
Faster CPU and GPU performance
-
Built on a more efficient 5nm process
-
Better machine learning performance
-
Improved future-proofing
While the real-world difference in day-to-day usage is not massive, the iPhone 12 does feel slightly faster in:
-
Gaming
-
Video editing
-
Camera processing
-
Heavy multitasking
However, the iPhone 11 still performs extremely well and remains fast enough for most users.
5G Connectivity
One of the biggest future-focused upgrades on the iPhone 12 is 5G support.
iPhone 11
- Limited to 4G LTE
iPhone 12
-
Supports sub-6GHz 5G
-
Supports mmWave 5G in the U.S.
-
Faster download and upload speeds
-
Better network responsiveness
5G can improve:
-
Streaming quality
-
Cloud gaming
-
FaceTime calls
-
Large downloads
-
Mobile hotspot performance
That said, whether 5G matters depends entirely on your carrier coverage and location.
If you plan to keep your phone for several years, the iPhone 12 is a safer long-term investment because 5G networks will continue expanding globally.
Camera Improvements
At first glance, both phones have very similar dual-camera systems:
-
12MP Wide camera
-
12MP Ultra Wide camera
But Apple made several meaningful software and low-light improvements on the iPhone 12.
Low-Light Photography
The iPhone 12 features a wider f/1.6 aperture on the main camera compared to f/1.8 on the iPhone 11.
This allows:
-
Better low-light performance
-
Brighter night shots
-
Faster image capture
-
Improved detail in dark scenes
Front Camera Enhancements
The iPhone 12 adds:
-
Night mode on the front camera
-
Deep Fusion on the front camera
This dramatically improves selfies in low light.
Video Recording Improvements
The iPhone 12 introduces:
-
Dolby Vision HDR video recording
-
Night mode time-lapse recording
These features make videos look more cinematic and dynamic.
Camera Comparison Table
| Camera Feature | iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 |
| Night Mode Front Camera | No | Yes |
| Deep Fusion Front Camera | No | Yes |
| Dolby Vision Video | No | Yes |
| Night Mode Time-Lapse | No | Yes |
The camera hardware is similar overall, but the iPhone 12 delivers noticeably better results in low-light environments.
MagSafe and Charging
The iPhone 12 introduced MagSafe to the iPhone lineup.
MagSafe Benefits
-
Magnetic wireless charging alignment
-
Faster wireless charging up to 15W
-
Accessory ecosystem support
-
Wallets, stands, battery packs, mounts, and more
The iPhone 11 only supports standard Qi wireless charging.
MagSafe has become a major part of Apple’s accessory ecosystem, making the iPhone 12 feel much more modern and versatile.
Durability Improvements
The iPhone 12 uses Ceramic Shield front glass, which Apple claims provides:
- Up to 4x better drop performance
It also improves water resistance:
| Durability Feature | iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Water Resistance | 2 meters | 6 meters |
| Front Protection | Standard Glass | Ceramic Shield |
This gives the iPhone 12 an advantage in long-term durability.
Battery Life
Surprisingly, battery life between the two phones is very similar.
| Battery Feature | iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Video Playback | Up to 17 hours | Up to 17 hours |
The iPhone 11 can sometimes even outperform the iPhone 12 in heavy usage due to its LCD display and larger battery capacity.
Battery life should not be the deciding factor between these two devices.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 11?
The iPhone 11 is still a great choice if you:
-
Want the lowest possible price
-
Don’t care about OLED displays
-
Don’t need 5G
-
Mainly use your phone casually
-
Want excellent battery life
-
Need a reliable iPhone on a budget
It remains one of the best value iPhones Apple ever made.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 12 is ideal if you:
-
Want a much better display
-
Care about future-proofing with 5G
-
Prefer modern flat-edge design
-
Want MagSafe support
-
Need stronger durability
-
Take lots of photos and videos
-
Plan to keep your phone for years
The OLED display alone is enough reason for many users to upgrade.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are both excellent smartphones, but the iPhone 12 delivers several major improvements that make it feel like a far more modern device.
The biggest upgrades include:
-
OLED Super Retina XDR display
-
5G connectivity
-
MagSafe support
-
Better low-light photography
-
Ceramic Shield durability
-
Slimmer and lighter design
While the iPhone 11 still offers outstanding value and performance, the iPhone 12 is the better long-term purchase for most users, especially if budget allows.
If price is your top priority, the iPhone 11 remains a fantastic budget-friendly iPhone. But if you want the best balance of modern features, future-proofing, and premium experience, the iPhone 12 is clearly the stronger choice.