APPLE is teasing a new addition, but the iPhone 12 series is still a big hitter, but should you opt for a Pro handset or not?
We’ve put the iPhone 12 head-to-head with the iPhone 12 Pro, comparing everything so you can work out which is best for you.
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If you are in the market for an Apple device or are looking to upgrade, you have likely already considered the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro.
The Apple iPhone 12 series was released back in October 2020 but is still a great option for those upgrading from older generations.
When it succeeded its predecessor, the iPhone 11 series, it took on a whole new look that Apple has stuck with through to the latest iPhone 14 drop – but is it still worth buying?
We’ll reveal all the need to know about the two devices, comparing everything from design, features, cameras, and price. Read on to find out which is best for you.
But for an in-depth breakdown of both devices read our tech editor Sean Keach’s iPhone 12 review and iPhone 12 Pro review, where he gives his expert verdict.
We’ve also hunted out all the best iPhone deals on the market so you can be sure whichever you choose, you’ll bag a bargain.
Top Deal: iPhone 12
Affordable Mobiles is offering the cheaper pay-monthly plan on the two devices, 100GB of data for £32 per month, the best price we’ve seen.
- Apple iPhone 12, 100GB data, £32 per month on Three – buy here
Top Deal: iPhone 12 Pro
Vodafone is the best place to pick up the iPhone 12 Pro model with 100GB of data for £45 per month and £29 upfront.
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro (Referb), 100GB data, £45 per month on Vodafone – buy here
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro: at a glance
Similarities:
As the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro were released alongside one another they share many features, with the iPhone 12 Pro offering some expected extras.
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Both devices come with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and the A14 Bionic chip, as well as 5G connectivity – so both are future-proof in the Apple world.
They also both feature a standard 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide camera lens, but as you would expect the iPhone 12 Pro will have an edge with some added Pro features when it comes to the camera.
But you’ll find both handsets feature a decent battery life with around 17 hours of video playback and come with MagSafe and wireless charging compatibility.
What is the difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro?
As you would expect, there are some key differences between the base handset and its pro counterpart, with the iPhone 12 Pro sporting its own unique qualities.
To begin, the iPhone 12 Pro is sold with a maximum of 512GB of storage against the iPhone 12 with 256GB – you will also get less memory on the base model, 4GB compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s 6GB.
Where the major differences come into play are the cameras on each device, with the iPhone 12 Pro naturally getting extra features.
You’ll get an added Telephoto camera lens on the iPhone 12 Pro, as well as improved digital zoom of up to 10x, video recording at 60fps, and night photography modes.
The iPhone 12 Pro also sports Apple ProRAW and Night mode portraits, which you won’t find on the base iPhone 12, as is the case with all base and pro models.
iPhone 12 vs 12 Pro: Camera
The cameras on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both feature a core Dual 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide camera and improved Night Mode features, but while both devices share these innovations they come to life on the iPhone 12 Pro.
This is owed to the extra Telephoto lens on the 12 Pro and increased capabilities including when it comes to low-light photography and video.
As mentioned, the Pro model comes with a triple-camera design and a cutting-edge LiDAR sensor that adds greater depth sensing for photos and videos, but you won’t find this on the base model.
One of the most exciting features found on the iPhone 12 Pro is the new Apple ProRAW, which keeps a RAW photo format – an added benefit for editing your own shots with things like white balance and colour.
While we are excited to see these innovations on the Pro device, it isn’t something an average user would benefit from, as the base iPhone 12 model has a more than capable camera which still allows basic photo editing software.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro: Design
Both these devices introduced the new squared-off Apple design that harks back to the iPhone 4, but they are remarkably similar due to where they sit in the iPhone 12 lineup.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro share a 6.1-inch form factor, with the iPhone 12 Mini sitting below the base model and the iPhone 12 Pro Max being the top tier.
Apple chose these new form factors to appeal to a wider audience, those that prefer a smaller device and those that want the bigger and better.
The main difference comes down to the use of materials – the iPhone 12 comes with aluminium edges and a polished glass back, while the iPhone 12 Pro has stainless steel edges and a matte glass back.
The design of each device offers a premium feel, but it isn’t a major deciding factor between the two – it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 12: Features
As the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro come as part of the same series they offer similar core features, but the iPhone 12 Pro includes some new unique camera features.
With the iPhone 12 Pro, the additional features lend to a fully realised design, like the extra photo lens that is missing on the base models.
Making its first appearance on the iPhone 12 Pro is the new Apple ProRAW, which keeps a RAW file format to allow you to get more creative when editing photos.
These added extras are just that though, which for keen photographers will make all the difference, but the average user will be more than satisfied with iPhone 12 which still features a great camera, and has a nearly identical design and battery life.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro: Battery life
The battery life on the iPhone 12 series varies across the range, but both the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro with their identical form factors come with around a 17-hour battery life, which of course can be extended with Low Power Mode.
In terms of numbers, you will get the same 2,815 mAh battery on both the base and Pro device, but with the extra features on the iPhone 12 Pro, you will likely see yourself go through juice faster than on the iPhone 12.
But as with anything, the caveat is it comes down to your own use and these benchmark stats will be different from person to person.
Apple famously removed chargers from their devices, and things are no different here, with neither coming in the box – but in that same vein, both devices support MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
iPhone 12 Pro vs 12: Price
On the release of the iPhone 12 series, the base model entered the market at £799, while the iPhone 12 Pro came at a premium of £999.
While you can pick up the older generations for less, the iPhone 12 is the more affordable of the two, now just over £340 cheaper.
Since the release of the iPhone 14 Apple has phased out the iPhone 12 series, meaning some of the range, like the 12 Pro, isn’t available new.
That being said, you can pick up monthly contracts on refurbished models of the iPhone 12 Pro at great prices.
If you are looking to pick up a pay-monthly plan you can pick up the iPhone 12 with 100GB data, £32 per month on Three, while the refurbished iPhone 12 Pro comes in at £45 per month for the same plan at Vodafone.
Here are all the retailers that offer the iPhone 12:
Are the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro the same size?
In a move that we hadn’t seen from Apple before, the standard base iPhone and the Pro model are the same size, both have the same 6.1-inch screen and will feel identical at first glance.
However, there’s one noticeable difference, and that’s the camera. Despite having the same size frame the camera lenses on the Pro model are noticeably larger, which raised some eyebrows – and how much you like or loathe it is up to you.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro: Which to choose
When it comes down to it, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are both great handsets that hold their own amongst their successors.
This guide has hopefully helped you decide which criteria are important for you and whether you feel going Pro is worth the cost.
Choose the iPhone 12:
- You are on a tighter budget
- You are a light photo/video taker
- You prefer the glass back design
- You still want a great 5G device
Choose the iPhone 12 Pro:
- You have a larger budget
- You want the Pro camera features
- You want the matte back design
