It feels like it’s just yesterday that the iPhone 12 lineup was launched. We’ve already seen four more smartphones from the company under the iPhone 13 banner. And this year, we can’t help but anticipate the launch of the iPhone 14 range sometime in September. That said, should you still buy an iPhone 12 phone in 2022? If so, should you go pro or stick to the base model? These are some of the answers this article seeks to explore. The iPhone 12 lineup generally is packed full of features and capabilities. But it is the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro that really got our attention. While they are targeted towards different audiences, the two phones share an incredibly high degree of similarity. Of course, the iPhone 12 Pro does feature some extra features to justify the additional price. But are they worth it? Let’s take a look at how the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro compare so you can work out which phone is right for you.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Design
The iPhone 12 lineup featured the biggest redesign since the iPhone X. The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro looks mostly alike. In fact, it can be hard to distinguish them at first glance. They feature the same angular, flat-edged body and a smaller notch at the top. The iPhone 12 comes with an aluminium body with a matte finish. As with past Pro models, Apple reserved the stainless-steel body for the iPhone 12 Pro. This affords it a sleeker, more refined appearance overall. In addition, the two phones benefit from smaller bezels for that edge-to-edge display feel.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Display
You will also find it hard to spot any difference between the iPhone 12 and 12 Pros display. They both sport the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen, with an 1170 x 2532 resolution. That means you will get to enjoy awesomely deep blacks and bright, peak whites with excellent colour accuracy. Unfortunately, Apple still refrained from introducing a higher refresh rate, and the display still peaks at 60Hz. Nevertheless, the screen is beautifully rich, thanks to Apple’s inclusion of True Tone technology and a wide colour gamut.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Camera
This is where the differences really come to the surface. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both feature the same 12MP megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses. General processing on both phones is also pretty similar. You get Smart HDR 3 for better exposure, Deep Fusion support for clearer shots, and Night Mode for better performance in low-light. You can also capture 4k video at 60 frames per second with both phones. On the front, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro pack a 12MP, f/2.2 lens for selfie shots.
But that’s as far as the similarities go. The iPhone 12 Pro benefits from an additional 12MP telephoto lens, making it a bit more versatile. It also comes with an all-new LiDAR scanner for greater depth sensing and augmented reality. Therefore, it delivers better night mode shots. Furthermore, the iPhone 12 Pro features a new ProRAW photo format. Despite the differences, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both deliver excellent shots. But for those who are serious about smartphone photography, the iPhone 12 Pro may prove as the better camera phone.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Battery and Performance
Under the hood, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are both powered by the same A14 Bionic chip. This is a highly-capable processor delivering snappy performance regardless of whether you are simply scrolling, multitasking, or playing high-intensive videogames. The biggest difference comes in terms of RAM. The iPhone 12 Pro boasts 6GB of RAM, while the iPhone 12 has to make do with 4GB. For this reason, you may notice some differences in performance between the two phones, especially when multitasking.
On the matter of battery, the phones feature the same 2,815mAh cell. You should comfortably get a full day’s use from both phones, even under heavy use. Apple rated both phones for up to 11 hours. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both support Qi wireless charging as well as 5G connectivity.
Wrapping Up
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro easily stand their own as some of the best smartphones on the market. They can both deliver superior performance, excellent battery life, bright displays, and fast connectivity. The iPhone 12 Pro does bring a few more features to the table, like a more advanced camera system. However, the two phones are evenly matched in an array of aspects. Basically, your decision will have to come down to personal preference and budget, of course.
Check out: Battle Of The Flagships – Apple iPhone 12 vs. Samsung S21
