We tend to always compare equivalent iPhone models between generations, such as the standard ‘Pro’ models. But what if we compare an iPhone 11 Pro with an iPhone 12? It is a generational leap, yes, but going from a ‘Pro’ to a ‘no Pro’. What advantages and disadvantages can be found? In this article we analyze it.
Specifications of both devices
I do not personally believe that a comparison between two devices with so many edges can be closed with a simple and cold comparison table and that is why in the following sections I will analyze the most important differential points between both phones. However, I think it is convenient that we put these specifications on the table to know later what we are facing in this comparison.
| iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | -Space gray -Silver -Golden -Green night |
-White -Black -Red (PRODUCT RED) -Blue -Green lime |
| Dimensions | -Height: 14.4 cm -Width: 7.14 cm -Thickness: 0.81 cm |
-Height: 14.67 cm -Width: 7.15 cm -Thickness: 0.74 cm |
| Weight | 188 grams | 162 grams |
| screen | 5.8-inch Super Retina Display XDR (OLED) | 6.1-inch Super Retina Display XDR (OLED) |
| Resolution | 2,436 x 1,125 pixels at 458 pixels per inch | 2,532 x 1,770 pixels at 460 pixels per inch |
| Brightness | 800 nits typical and 1,200 nits (HDR) | 625 nits typical and 1,200 nits (HDR) |
| Processor | A13 Bionic with 3rd Generation Neural Engine | A14 Bionic with 4th Generation Neural Engine |
| Internal memory | -64 GB -256 GB -512 GB |
-64 GB -128 GB -256 GB |
| Autonomy | -Video playback: up to 18 hours -Video streaming: up to 11 hours -Audio playback: up to 65 hours |
-Video playback: up to 17 hours -Video streaming: up to 11 hours -Audio playback: up to 65 hours |
| Frontal camera | 12 Mpx camera with f / 2.2 aperture | 12 Mpx camera with f / 2.2 aperture |
| Rear camera | -Wide angle: 12 Mpx and aperture of f / 1.8 -Ultra wide angle: 12 Mpx and aperture of f / 2.4 -Telephoto lens: 12 Mpx and aperture of f / 2 |
-Wide angle: 12 Mpx and aperture of f / 1.6 -Ultra wide angle: 12 Mpx and aperture of f / 2.4 |
| Connector | Lightning | Lightning |
| Face ID | Yes | Yes |
| Touch ID | No | No |
| Connectivity | -WiFi 802.11ax (6th gen.) -Bluetooth 5.0 -NFC -VoLTE -Possibility of having Nano SIM and eSIM |
-WiFi 802.11ax (6th gen.) -5G (sub-6 GHz) -Bluetooth 5.0 -NFC -VoLTE -Possibility of having Nano SIM and eSIM |
Design: similarities and differences
The iPhone 11 Pro stands out for its curved sides, something seen from the iPhone 6, a very used front although with the presence of the now classic ‘notch’. On its back we find a laminated glass that is extremely pleasant to the touch and that is only cut on the part of the camera module, which has three lenses. Precisely the latter is the main difference on the back of the iPhone 12, which ‘only’ has 2 lenses. The front of the latter is also similar and you have to look and touch the sides to find the most notable difference, which is that the edges are now flat and we only notice a slight curvature at the corners.
As for colors, personally I prefer, for example, the white of the iPhone 12 to the silver of the iPhone 11 Pro. But at the same time I like the space gray of the ‘Pro’ much more than the dull (and dirty) black of the 12. Al In the end, this is a matter of taste and although a priori the ‘Pro’ colors may be more elegant, the colorful range to choose from on the iPhone 12 does not make it less deserving of praise.
The iPhone 12 is much more comfortable
Can a taller, wider iPhone with a bigger screen be more comfortable? It can and this is because the difference in these dimensions is small and in terms of thickness and weight the iPhone 12 takes the prize. One of the reasons why Apple decided to change the side design of its new phones could be precisely to make them lighter. In my case, after more than a year with a ’11 Pro ‘, I have noticed much lighter and more comfortable to handle the’ 12 ‘.
It is true that the screen size is larger and although it is something to be appreciated, the truth is that when you get used to it, you forget that you have a bigger screen. In fact I would say that these two devices, with the permission of the ’12 mini ‘, are the two most comfortable Apple devices to use out there. At least that happens to me, since if you are a fan of large phones it is possible that both will fall short.
Overall iPhone performance
The generational jump from the A13 Bionic of the iPhone 11 Pro to the A14 Bionic of the iPhone 12 exists. At a technical level, there are notable differences in what the number of operations per second is capable of doing over the other. I find it frivolous to miss Apple’s advances in this section, but if we stick to real life, the truth is that both iPhones are like a shot. Whether it is to move around the system, carry out heavy tasks or have a good companion for computational photography, both chips perform well and hardly notice difference in any daily action.
Taking this into account, it is also predicted that both will update their software for many years , probably staying very close in time, with the iPhone 12 with one more year of life. However, as I indicated, both devices may continue to have iOS updates that allow you to continue enjoying the device to the fullest, both with aesthetic and functional novelties that are added by software, as well as with bug fixes and security improvements.
Maximum screen quality in both cases
In the specifications table you will have been able to see that being of a somewhat larger size, the iPhone 12 has a better resolution, although the typical brightness drops from 800 to 625 compared to the 11 Pro. Well, on a technical level it is interesting to know, but in day to day I must admit that neither one thing nor the other is appreciated at all. You can enjoy photos and videos with great quality on both devices, having an outstanding experience in both cases. And as for the brightness, I have to say that I have had no problems seeing the content of the iPhone 12 in practically no light circumstances, although it is true that with the sun hitting the screen it becomes more complicated, something that also happens in the 11 Pro.
Let’s talk about 5G
If this new connectivity incorporated by the iPhone 12 and the rest of the iPhone of its generation is one of the main reasons for your purchase, I already tell you that it will not be worth it. The first thing to keep in mind is that Apple has reserved the best 5G only for the United States , since the brand reached agreements with telephone companies in the country to bring this connectivity to their devices, having only in this place a special antenna in a side for mmWave connectivity.
In the rest of the countries, we have advanced 4G that does not really become 5G. If we also take into account the limitations found due to lack of infrastructure, this is little less than having nothing. Although the latter is not Apple’s fault, far from it. It must be recognized that on the occasions when these networks are found, a difference is noticeable at least palpable, but it is not as great as it would be with real 5G. Is it better in this regard than the iPhone 11 Pro and its 4G? It is, but not to rave about.
What about the battery of these iPhones?
Although it seems contradictory, measuring the autonomy of an Apple device by battery capacity is tremendously subjective. The apple company can afford the luxury of incorporating smaller capacities to the competition and yet offer equal and even greater autonomy in many cases. All this is thanks to the excellent management of the processor (A13 and A14) since it is the company itself that designs its software (iOS).
The iPhone 11 Pro surprised me in its day with its excellent battery, capable of reaching more than a day of intensive use. It is true that the ‘Max’ took the cake in this case, but hey, what a joy it was not to have to be aware of the charger. It is true that over time and with the logical deterioration of the battery this was less, but all at a natural and understandable rhythm.
With the iPhone 12 I feared having a worse experience in this regard, since both Apple in its indications and the battery capacity itself was lower. Well again I was surprised. I could say without fear of being wrong that, at least in my case, I have experienced an identical feeling to the 11 Pro, arriving at the end of the day with a battery percentage around 25-35% with approximately 6 hours of screen. Not bad, well. Therefore in this section I can not do anything other than give a technical tie to both devices.
Is MagSafe decisive in the comparison?
This functionality is really an addition to the iPhone 12, but at least in my opinion it should not throw the balance out of balance. The most recent device incorporated, along with the rest of its generation, a system of magnets capable of making the phone compatible with accessories such as wallets or charging bases that remain magnetized to the back, avoiding those false contacts that make the iPhone not is charged.
As a user of a MagSafe charger I must admit that it is very comfortable to place the iPhone on top and that it adjusts automatically without fear that a slight movement will destabilize it and stop charging. It has also been very comfortable for me to use in the hand as if I were charging it with the traditional cable. However, I insist on emphasizing that it is a very positive addition, but that in no case should it be the main reason for buying this or any other phone.
From 3 to 2 cameras, is the change much noticeable?
As in the first section, let’s first look at the technical specifications and then talk in a more subjective way.
| specs | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Photos front camera | -Retina Flash -HDR smart -Portrait mode with Depth Control and lighting effects |
-Retina Flash -HDR smart 3 -Portrait mode with Depth Control and lighting effects -Night mode -Deep Fusion |
| Front camera videos | -Recording in 4K at 24, 30 or 60 frames per second -Dynamic range expanded to 30 frames per second Cinema-quality stabilization at 4K, 1080p and 720p 1080p recording at 30 or 60 frames per second 1080p slow motion at 120 frames per second -Video QuickTake |
-Recording in 4K at 24, 30 or 60 frames per second -Dynamic range expanded to 30 frames per second Cinema-quality stabilization at 4K, 1080p and 720p -HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 30 frames per second 1080p recording at 30 or 60 frames per second 1080p slow motion at 120 frames per second -Video QuickTake |
| Photos rear cameras | -Flash TrueTone -Optical image stabilization -Optical zoom zoom x2 with optical zoom x4 and digital zoom x10 -Portrait mode (also in night mode) with Depth Control and portrait lighting -HDR smart -Deep Fusion -Night mode |
-Flash TrueTone -Optical image stabilization Optical zoom out x2 and digital zoom x5 -Portrait mode (also in night mode) with Depth Control and portrait lighting -HDR smart 3 -Deep Fusion -Night mode |
| Rear camera videos | 4K video recording at 24, 25, 30 or 60 frames per second -Video recording in 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 frames per second -Dynamic video range up to 60 frames per second -Optical image stabilization -Audio zoom -Slow motion at 1080p at 120 or 240 frames per second -Video QuickTake |
4K video recording at 24, 25, 30 or 60 frames per second -Video recording in 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 frames per second -HDR video recording with Dolby Vision at up to 30 frames per second -Dynamic video range up to 60 frames per second -Optical image stabilization -Time-lapse with Night Mode -Audio zoom -Slow motion at 1080p at 120 or 240 frames per second -Video QuickTake |
I have to say that I personally am more of a fan of the ultra-wide angle lens than the telephoto lens, and considering that the iPhone 12 continues to maintain it despite losing the telephoto lens, I am satisfied. If this is not your case and this is one of your most used lenses and you also see the cameras section essential for your use, the balance will opt for the iPhone 11 Pro, unless there is some feature of the 12 capable of counteracting it .
In video, it must be recognized that the improvements provided by the iPhone 12 are remarkable, despite not having improvements that its older brother, the 12 Pro Max, incorporates. However, it must be recognized that in normal photographs the change from one to the other is hardly noticeable, except in photographs taken with the ultra wide angle in night mode , which improves considerably on the most recent phone. Portrait mode, for example, is very similar in both cases, although the help of the telephoto lens on the 11 Pro makes a slightly better crop appear in this one.
In the field of video there are also aspects to comment. Again the telephoto lens is missed in some circumstances, but at least in my case it has been compensated by the tremendous improvement of the iPhone 12 in its low light recording. Time-Lapse in Night Mode, despite not being the most common mode, opens up a new range of possibilities with truly amazing results.
If you already have an iPhone 11 Pro
This case is interesting to analyze, since in some sections such as those seen in this article you will be moving to an inferior iPhone. My particular advice is that you make a list (real or mental) with the most important points for you and observe what the iPhone 12 offers you. If you think you can comply with it, you have the money and you feel like it, you will enjoy a remarkable change. In fact, you can sell your 11 Pro at a good price and even give it to a loved one, being a gift in capital letters.
Now, if you are only tempted by the novelty, you are happy with your device and it will also be an economic effort, do not hesitate to keep your iPhone 11 Pro. It is still a phone that, if you take care of it, it can last you years being fully functional and with constant software updates.
Doubts between buying one of them?
If, on the contrary to the previous case, you have any other device and you want to get one of these two, things change. Here the price will come into play and you should review offers and storage capacities of the device to analyze if one or the other compensates you more. Is it always better to go for the latest? Yes in many aspects such as performance, which although it does not improve considerably if in the end it will give you a longer useful life. The same happens if you want to have interesting news such as MagSafe or video improvements. However, the iPhone 11 Pro, especially if you find a good offer, is a device with a lot to say in all its sections and if you do not need these new features you will be taking a terminal that continues to be at the height of the best in the market.
