iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro Buyer’s Guide: Which 2020 iPhone Should You Buy?
In 2020, Apple introduced the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro as successors to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, bringing a refreshed flat-edge design, OLED Super Retina XDR displays, MagSafe support, and the powerful A14 Bionic chip across the lineup. While the two devices look almost identical at first glance, Apple positioned the iPhone 12 Pro as the more premium option with upgraded materials, additional camera hardware, and exclusive professional photography features.
The iPhone 12 started at $599, while the iPhone 12 Pro originally launched at $999 before being discontinued. Even years later, both devices remain popular choices on the second-hand and refurbished market because they still offer strong performance, modern design language, and reliable camera systems.
This buyer’s guide breaks down all of the major differences between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro to help you decide which device best suits your needs and whether the premium Pro model is truly worth the additional cost.
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro: Quick Overview
Both models share a huge number of core features, including:
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6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displays
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A14 Bionic chip
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5G connectivity
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MagSafe support
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Ceramic Shield front glass
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Face ID
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Water resistance
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Similar overall dimensions and design
However, the iPhone 12 Pro adds:
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Stainless steel construction
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Telephoto camera
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LiDAR Scanner
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Apple ProRAW support
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Better zoom capabilities
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Brighter display
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More RAM
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Premium finishes and colors
For many users, the differences may seem small on paper, but depending on how you use your phone, they can significantly impact the experience.
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro Comparison Table
| Feature | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR | 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR |
| Resolution | 2532×1170 | 2532×1170 |
| Brightness | 625 nits typical | 800 nits typical |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| Connectivity | 5G | 5G |
| Frame Material | Aerospace-grade aluminum | Surgical-grade stainless steel |
| Rear Finish | Glossy glass | Matte textured glass |
| Camera System | Dual-camera system | Triple-camera system |
| Ultra Wide Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Wide Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Telephoto Camera | No | Yes |
| Optical Zoom | 2x zoom out | 2x zoom in, 2x zoom out |
| Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | Up to 10x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Standard OIS | Dual OIS |
| LiDAR Scanner | No | Yes |
| Night Mode Portraits | No | Yes |
| Apple ProRAW | No | Yes |
| Dolby Vision Recording | Up to 30fps | Up to 60fps |
| Memory (RAM) | 4GB | 6GB |
| Storage Options | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Battery Life | Up to 17 hours video playback | Up to 17 hours video playback |
| Build Weight | 164g | 189g |
| MagSafe Support | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Colors | Blue, Green, White, Black, Purple, PRODUCT(RED) | Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, Silver |
| Starting Price at Launch | $799 | $999 |
Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro feature nearly identical industrial designs with flat aluminum or stainless steel edges inspired by the classic iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 era.
The iPhone 12 uses aerospace-grade aluminum, making it noticeably lighter and easier to hold for extended periods. The glossy glass back also gives it a more casual and colorful appearance.
The iPhone 12 Pro, on the other hand, uses polished surgical-grade stainless steel, giving it a more luxurious and premium feel in the hand. The matte glass back resists fingerprints better and adds a more professional aesthetic.
Which Feels Better?
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iPhone 12: Lighter, more practical, easier to grip
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iPhone 12 Pro: More premium and luxurious, but heavier
If you prioritize comfort and portability, the iPhone 12 may actually feel better for everyday use despite being the cheaper model.
Display Differences
Although both phones use the same OLED panel technology and resolution, the iPhone 12 Pro offers a brighter display.
| Display Feature | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Brightness | 625 nits | 800 nits |
| HDR Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits |
The brighter typical brightness on the Pro model helps outdoors and in direct sunlight, making text and media easier to view during daytime use.
However, for most indoor users, the real-world difference is relatively minor.
Camera System Comparison
The camera setup is the single biggest reason to choose the iPhone 12 Pro over the regular iPhone 12.
iPhone 12 Camera Setup
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12MP Wide camera
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12MP Ultra Wide camera
iPhone 12 Pro Camera Setup
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12MP Wide camera
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12MP Ultra Wide camera
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12MP Telephoto camera
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LiDAR Scanner
Telephoto Lens Advantages
The extra telephoto lens allows the iPhone 12 Pro to capture:
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Better portrait shots
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Higher-quality zoom photos
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Improved framing flexibility
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More natural perspective compression
| Zoom Capability | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Optical Zoom In | No | 2x |
| Optical Zoom Out | 2x | 2x |
| Total Optical Range | 2x | 4x |
| Digital Zoom | 5x | 10x |
If you regularly photograph people, pets, events, or travel scenes, the telephoto lens is genuinely useful.
LiDAR Scanner Benefits
The LiDAR Scanner is exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro lineup.
It improves:
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Autofocus speed in low light
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Night mode portraits
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Augmented reality experiences
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Depth mapping accuracy
While casual users may not notice the difference daily, photographers and AR app users will appreciate the additional functionality.
Apple ProRAW and Pro Features
The iPhone 12 Pro supports Apple ProRAW, which combines computational photography with RAW editing flexibility.
This is especially beneficial for:
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Professional photographers
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Mobile content creators
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Advanced photo editing workflows
The iPhone 12 lacks ProRAW entirely.
Performance and RAM
Both devices use the same A14 Bionic chip, so everyday performance is nearly identical.
Tasks like:
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Gaming
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Social media
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Multitasking
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Video streaming
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Photography
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Editing
all run extremely smoothly on both devices.
However, the iPhone 12 Pro includes 6GB of RAM instead of 4GB.
This helps with:
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Heavy multitasking
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Long-term iOS support
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Camera processing
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Keeping apps active in memory longer
The difference isn’t massive today, but the Pro model may age slightly better over time.
Battery Life
Surprisingly, both phones deliver very similar battery life despite their hardware differences.
| Battery Feature | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Video Playback | Up to 17 hours | Up to 17 hours |
In real-world usage:
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The iPhone 12 often lasts slightly longer because of less demanding camera hardware
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The iPhone 12 Pro may drain faster during photography and LiDAR-intensive tasks
For most users, battery life should not be a deciding factor between these two models.
Storage Options
Storage tiers differ significantly.
iPhone 12
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64GB
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128GB
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256GB
iPhone 12 Pro
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128GB
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256GB
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512GB
The iPhone 12 Pro starts with double the base storage, which partially justifies its higher original price.
If you need large storage for:
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4K video
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RAW photos
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Games
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Offline media
the Pro model becomes much more appealing.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 12 is the better choice if you:
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Want the best value
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Prefer a lighter phone
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Don’t need telephoto zoom
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Rarely edit photos professionally
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Want modern iPhone features at a lower price
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Mainly use your phone for everyday tasks
For most users, the iPhone 12 delivers nearly the entire flagship experience at a much lower cost.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 12 Pro?
The iPhone 12 Pro is ideal if you:
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Care about premium materials
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Want better camera versatility
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Need a telephoto lens
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Shoot portraits frequently
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Use ProRAW photography
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Want LiDAR functionality
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Need more storage and RAM
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Prefer the premium finishes and colors
The Pro model is designed for enthusiasts, creators, and users who want the absolute best iPhone experience from that generation.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are far more similar than different. They share the same design language, processor, OLED display technology, MagSafe ecosystem, and overall user experience.
For most buyers, the iPhone 12 remains the smarter purchase because it offers excellent performance, strong cameras, and premium design at a much lower price point.
The iPhone 12 Pro mainly justifies its higher price through:
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Telephoto photography
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LiDAR capabilities
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Premium build materials
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Additional RAM
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Pro camera software features
If photography and premium design matter significantly to you, the iPhone 12 Pro is still a fantastic device. Otherwise, the iPhone 12 delivers better overall value for the majority of users.