How The IPhone 12 Differs From The IPhone 11: A Detailed Comparison

2023 Author: Gordon Kinson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 08:36

Of course, any iPhone owner will sooner or later ask the question: isn't it time to change your device to a new one? And even if you already own an iPhone 11, should you buy the latest model? And just a third-party gadget lover will reasonably ask: how much is the iPhone 12 better than the iPhone 11?

IPhone 12 and iPhone 11 design

The new Apple smartphone received, as expected, a design update. Sharp edges correspond in style to those of the iPad Pro, but the roots of this image clearly originate from the iPhone 4. The device received thin frames.

iPhone 12

But the iPhone 11 has thicker bezels and rounded edges.

iPhone 11

The novelty has become, moreover, clearly smaller and lighter, while maintaining the same screen size:

iPhone 12: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm, Weight 162g

iPhone 11: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm, Weight 194g

Visually, of course, the difference in size is hardly noticeable:

The 2020 model has received a new faceplate coating called Ceramic Shield. This development is designed to maximally protect the screen from scratches and shocks. Apple says the risk of damage to the display is 4 times less than the iPhone 11. The 2019 model has a durable but regular glass panel. The bezel at the end of the case on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 is made of aircraft-grade aluminum.

IPhone 12 and iPhone 11 colors

iPhone 12 received five color options: blue, green, white, black and corporate red (Product RED).

IPhone 12 Colors

The predecessor had six color options: purple, yellow, green, black, white and red (Product RED).

IPhone 12 Colors

In general, visually, the iPhone 12 looks preferable due to the updated design with reduced bezels and a better display (more on that below). iPhone 11 is suitable for those who are comfortable with the design of previous generations or need a specific body color.

IPhone 12 and iPhone 11 screen

The diagonal of the screen has not changed, it is still the same 6.1 inches. Nevertheless, there are many differences in capabilities and technologies. The iPhone 12 has a progressive OLED display, like most current flagships. Now this model is on par with the Pro series. The new screen made it possible to reduce the frames around it. Matrix iPhone 12 received a resolution of 2532 × 1170 pixels, which allowed for a density of 460 pixels per inch. Contrast is 2000000: 1, the standard brightness 625 cd / m ², and in the HDR mode - 1200 cd / m ². In addition to HDR support, there is a wide P3 color gamut and True Tone technology.

iPhone 12

The iPhone 11 features a legacy Liquid Retina HD IPS display. In fact, this matrix is the heir to the one that was installed in the iPhone 6. Fundamentally, nothing has changed, the changes were cosmetic. The screen resolution is much more modest 1792 × 828 pixels, which gives a density of 326 pixels per inch. Standard contrast of 1400: 1, brightness - 625 cd / m ². There is no HDR support, but True Tone and P3 color gamut are present.

iPhone 11

Direct comparison of displays clearly reveals the superiority of the iPhone 12 over the iPhone 11. The novelty finally received an advanced OLED display, increased resolution and clarity, received HDR support, improved brightness and contrast. Last year's model simply has nothing to oppose to this.

Processor and memory

The iPhone 12 is powered by the 5nm A14 Bionic chip, the latest from Apple. It is a six-core processor with a 4-core GPU. There is a "new generation" Neural Engine system, the fourth in a row. The number of cores in it increased from 8 to 16, which increased the speed of machine learning by up to 80%.

The amount of RAM in the smartphone has not changed - it's all the same 4 GB. The options for the built-in storage remained unchanged: 64, 128 and 256 GB.

An interesting feature is that in past years the base model could even outperform Pro models with the same processor due to the low screen resolution. But this time, the iPhone 12 will maintain parity with its older brothers.

iPhone 11 is powered by the 7nm A13 Bionic processor. It is still a powerful solution and was Apple's best solution just a year ago. You can hardly see the difference by eye - in synthetic tests it is about 15-20%. In real-life scenarios, the superiority of the novelty will become apparent only in a few years - on even heavier applications and in new versions of iOS.

IPhone 12 and iPhone 11 cameras

IPhone 12 cameras

Both models have at their disposal a module with two cameras, each of which has a resolution of 12 MP. The configuration has not changed - wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle cameras. In the iPhone 12, the first module has an f / 1.6 aperture, the ultra-wide is f / 2.4. The iPhone 11 has f / 1.8 and f / 2.4 specs, respectively.

Both smartphones received a night mode, 2x optical zoom reduction and support for Deep Fusion. The iPhone 12 camera uses Smart HDR 3, while the iPhone 11 works with regular Smart HDR. Both smartphones have standard optical stabilization.

IPhone 11 cameras

The capabilities of video shooting are almost identical for smartphones - 4K at 24/30/60 frames per second or HD 30/60 frames per second with optical stabilization. But at the same time, the iPhone 12 can now shoot Dolby Vision HDR video at up to 30 frames per second. Both devices have a QuickTake audio zoom function and can record stereo sound. But the iPhone 12 can also work in Time Lapse mode in Night mode.

The front camera has also changed little. Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 have 12MP f / 2.2 aperture with Retina Flash and can shoot 4K video at 24/30/60 frames per second. But the newer model implements Smart HDR 3, versus just Smart HDR from last year's flagship, and the iPhone 12 is shooting HDR video in the Dolby Vision standard. In addition, the iPhone 12 has the ability to take high-quality selfies in night mode.

Selfie in Night Mode on iPhone 12

In general, we can state a slight improvement in the cameras of the iPhone 12 relative to the previous model, especially when it comes to working with HDR and night mode. But this is still more of a software feature - no revolutionary change in optics has occurred. In most everyday auto shooting scenarios, the difference between photos will be minimal.

Power and autonomy

The battery life remains the same. The battery lasts for 17 hours of video playback or 65 hours of audio playback. iPhone 12 will be able to watch video streams a little longer - 11 hours versus 10. Both smartphones support fast charging and wireless charging of the Qi standard. But the iPhone 12 can work with MagSafe wireless chargers (similar to Apple Watch charging).

Thanks to the appearance of magnets inside the back of the iPhone 12, a variety of accessories are offered to users.

Water resistance of iPhone 12 and iPhone 11

Both smartphones received IP68 waterproofing, which allows the gadget to be immersed in water for up to 30 minutes. But if the iPhone 11 has a permissible depth of 2 meters, then the iPhone 12 is already 6 meters. In theory, the protection level of the iPhone 12 is slightly better, but in practice anyone will hardly benefit from it. In addition, Apple reminds that damage to the smartphone caused by contact with liquid is not covered by the warranty.

Network interfaces and sensors

An important feature of the iPhone 12 is the ability to work on 5G networks. This is one of the key points of the smartphone presentation. True, there are no such networks in Russia yet, and they are unlikely to appear in the next couple of years. Both smartphones support gigabit LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and have GPS / GLONASS / NFC modules. But iPhone 12 now works with navigation from Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou.

The set of sensors has not changed either: gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, light and proximity sensor. The new implementation of Face ID also failed - the TrueDepth camera system works the same way in the iPhone 11 as in the iPhone 12.

IPhone 12 and iPhone 11 Package Contents

IPhone 12 Bundle

In the new generation of the Apple smartphone, the package has changed. The iPhone 12 buyer will only receive a USB-C to Lightning cable with it, while the iPhone 11 box, released before October 202, along with the smartphone, in addition to the USB-A to Lightning cable, also had a power adapter and an EarPods headset.

IPhone 11 pre-October 2020 batch

Unfortunately, the kits of the new lots of iPhone 11 will also receive a stripped-down version - only the phone itself and the cable.

Detailed comparison of technical characteristics (specifications) iPhone 12 and iPhone 11

IPhone 12 and iPhone 11 price

The official prices for the iPhone 11 are as follows:

iPhone 11 with 64 GB storage - 51,300 rubles (buy);

iPhone 11 with 128 GB storage - 57,500 rubles (buy);

iPhone 11 with 256 GB storage - 65 900 rubles (buy).

But the new product turned out to be more expensive, and much more:

iPhone 12 with 64 GB storage - 79,990 rubles (buy);

iPhone 12 with 128 GB storage - 84,990 rubles (buy);

iPhone 12 with 256 GB storage - 94,990 rubles (buy).

It should be understood that, with a high probability, you will have to buy additional accessories for the iPhone 12 (for example, headphones and a powerful power adapter). Both smartphones occupy an average place in their line, whether the impressive difference in price of the changes we have described is worth it - consumers will decide.

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