The iPhone 12 represented a significant advancement in Apple’s smartphone lineup. It debuted several features that are still present in the iPhone series today. It was also the generation that returned to squared-off, flat edges, which can still be found on the recently announced iPhone 15 series.
It’s been three years since the release of the iPhone 12, and if you bought one at the time, you may be getting bored of it. Whether you’re considering an upgrade due to battery life difficulties, slower performance, or simply a desire for something new and sparkly, the new iPhone 15 is undoubtedly one of the gadgets on your radar.
Is it, however, truly worth spending all that money on the latest iPhone 15? There has been much discussion about Apple slowing down innovation, particularly among lower-tier handsets. How much has changed since the iPhone 12? Is purchasing an iPhone 15 a waste of money?
That’s why you’re here: we’ve done the legwork for you by comparing the iPhone 12 versus the iPhone 15. We’ll examine their specifications, performance, and features to determine whether you should update now or wait another year.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 15: Design
Let us begin with the design. The iPhone 12 was the first phone in a long time to have flat edges. The essential premise of the iPhone 15 has not changed, although there have been some changes along the road.
First and foremost, the most visible difference is the screen. The iPhone 12 retains the notch, which is now obsolete in Apple handsets. The iPhone 15 finally gets rid of the notch and brings Dynamic Island, which was previously only available on iPhone 14 Pro models, to the normal iPhone tier.
There will be a variation in display quality, if not size. Both phones have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, but the iPhone 15 is substantially brighter, hitting 2000 nits peak brightness vs 1200 nits for the iPhone 12.
There are a few additional distinctions to be made. Despite having the same number of lenses (two), the iPhone 15’s camera hump is larger and has a different design. We’ll get to the cameras in a moment, but on the rear of the iPhone, you’ll notice matte glass, which looks and feels very different from the glossy glass on the iPhone 12. Of course, this is hardly a reason to upgrade.
Another significant shift, both in terms of form and functionality, is the conversion to USB-C. Because the Lightning connection has finally died, upgrading to the iPhone 15 also means saying goodbye to a proprietary connector. However, it does not imply current data transmission speeds. The iPhone 15 is limited to USB 2.0 speeds, the same as the previous Lightning connection.
Most people don’t use a wire to transfer data to or from their iPhone, only to charge it, so this isn’t a big deal.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 15: Performance
A three-year difference should imply a significant improvement in performance, but a fundamental factor makes this improvement smaller than it appears.
The issue is that, between these two phones, Apple has determined that normal iPhones should contain a processor from a previous generation. As a result, although the iPhone 12 has an A14 Bionic processor, the iPhone 15 has an A16 processor: just two generations apart.
There is still a significant disparity between the two. When it comes to GPU performance, the iPhone 15 is still much quicker than its elderly predecessor. This improves its ability to handle the most recent applications and games, as well as future operating system upgrades.
On that topic, keep in mind that the iPhone 15, which is three years newer, will receive software upgrades for considerably longer. The iPhone 12 was released with iOS 14, and the new iPhones should be updated to iOS 17. That indicates it will still be supported, but only for another 2-3 years. The iPhone 15, on the other hand, should receive upgrades for the next 5 years.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 15: Cameras
Camera systems are one of the most talked about aspects of new phones every year, and not just iPhones. The iPhone 12 was one of the photography powerhouses when it was debuted, but camera technology has advanced fast in recent years.
The iPhone 12 comes with two cameras: a 12-megapixel primary sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. These are still excellent shooters and will serve you well on a daily basis. The iPhone 15 takes things a step farther. It inherited the main camera from the iPhone 14 Pro series, meaning it now sports a 48-megapixel main lens with a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor.
The primary camera is far superior to what the iPhone 12 has to offer. When combined with Apple’s new software tricks, images taken during the day and at night will be brighter, sharper, and give considerably more detail. The new model’s 48-megapixel sensor also means you can rely on digital zoom considerably more, and even 2x zoom images should be exceptionally crisp and detailed.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 15: Battery life
The battery life was one of the iPhone 12 family’s minor flaws. It wasn’t sad, but it was certainly nothing to write home about. However, things looked much better with the iPhone 13, and the iPhone 15 offers up to 20 hours of video playback. This is due to a larger battery and a considerably more power-efficient CPU.
However, there is one area where Apple lags behind the competition: battery charging. Only 20W charging rates and 15W wireless charging through a MagSafe connection are supported by the iPhone 12 and iPhone 15. That indicates there has been no progress despite three years of efforts.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 15: Features
We’ve previously discussed three essential elements that the iPhone 15 improves: the screen (with Dynamic Island), the primary camera, and USB-C. However, the new phone will represent a substantial advance in a few other areas.
First and foremost, the iPhone 15 offers far superior connection choices. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are introduced, as opposed to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 on the iPhone 12. Furthermore, it contains a newer 5G chip, which not only saves battery but also assures a stronger connection and range.
Another significant improvement is that the iPhone 15 has significantly greater storage with its base model. The iPhone 12 was Apple’s final phone (apart from the SE line) to ship with 64GB of storage, whereas the iPhone 15 in the most basic configuration has 128GB. With its higher-resolution photographs, it’s a pleasant upgrade that ensures you don’t run out of space on your phone right away.
However, the iPhone 15 has a couple more photographic tricks up its sleeve. The next-generation portrait function is perhaps the most noticeable. It’s a method of shooting portrait shots that can be changed after the fact, without having to switch on Portrait mode first, so you can pick your subject and choose what’s in focus and what’s not.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 15: which is the better phone?
The iPhone 12 is still a fantastic device. If you’ve owned your iPhone for three years and are considering an upgrade, the new iPhone 15 has substantial advantages: a better camera, a more powerful CPU, greater networking, and significantly longer battery life. There are also certain niceties, such as a USB-C connector, Dynamic Island, and extended software support.
However, none of this implies that you must upgrade immediately now. If you’re happy with your old iPhone 12, there’s nothing groundbreaking or ground-breaking about the new iPhone 15 that makes it a must-have. The iPhone 12 can accomplish practically everything that the iPhone 15 can do.
Watching Apple’s iPhone 15 announcement event, you’d believe it was completely innovative. But, as I mentioned at the outset, the pace of invention is slowing. The iPhone 15 inherits features from the iPhone 14 and offers greater value for money than the iPhone 12 did three years ago.
If you don’t already possess either phone and are trying to decide, the most apparent difference is pricing, especially if you’re prepared to buy a refurbished phone: an iPhone 12 costs roughly £300 / $350, compared to £799 / $799 for the iPhone 15. (Just keep in mind that the basic model has double the capacity of the iPhone 12.)
Finally, if money were no object, the iPhone 15 easily wins: of course it does. It’s an obvious choice. And if you have an iPhone 12 that is having issues, or if you’re having trouble getting through the day without the battery running out, it’s simple to advocate upgrading to Apple’s newest model.
Also here you can compare between iPhone’s.
