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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 14 involves weighing several factors: the iPhone 14 offers better camera performance, with clearer photos and video quality, and slightly better battery life. However, it comes at a higher price compared to the iPhone 12. Both have the same screen size and do not have headphone jacks or high refresh rate displays. If the camera and battery improvements are worth the extra cost, go for the iPhone 14; if you're looking to save money and can live with a good but not top-of-the-line camera, the iPhone 12 is a solid choice. Both run iOS and have similar designs, so the software experience will be familiar regardless of your choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- The Apple iPhone 12 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 14.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 14
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
8.0
The Apple iPhone 14 has very good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 14's cameras are rated to have significantly better selfie quality, better overall photo and video software experience, enhanced low light performance, and improved dynamic range compared to the iPhone 12, which collectively contribute to its excellent camera performance. Additionally, the iPhone 14 offers more consistent camera versatility, ensuring high-quality photos and videos across a wider range of scenarios.
Photo Quality
7.1
7.9
The Apple iPhone 14 and Apple iPhone 12 both have good photos, though the Apple iPhone 14 takes somewhat better photos.
The Apple iPhone 14 takes excellent photos thanks partly to its improved Photos Software experience and enhanced Photos Low Light performance compared with the iPhone 12, providing a better overall photography experience. Furthermore, the iPhone 14 boasts superior selfie quality, making it a more attractive option for users who prioritize front-facing camera performance.
Video Quality
7.2
8.8
The Apple iPhone 14 takes very good videos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos.
The iPhone 14 takes excellent videos due to improvements in various aspects like video low light performance, dynamic range, and stabilization, all of which are rated higher than the iPhone 12. Additionally, the iPhone 14 enhances the overall video software experience and mic quality, factors that contribute to its superior video capture capabilities compared to the iPhone 12.
Battery
6.2 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Apple iPhone 14 has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$600
$699
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Apple iPhone 14 costs $699.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Apple iPhone 14 is 6.1 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Apple iPhone 14 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Apple | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | iOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | September 16, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2532 x 1170 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 460 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | A15 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 3279 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 5.78" x 2.81" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 6.07 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Blue, Purple, Yellow, Midnight, Starlight, Red | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Custom ROM Support | |||
Custom ROM Support | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Apple iPhone 14
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Lance Ulanoff | October 2022
"The iPhone 14 is a capable smartphone with a seriously snappy CPU, lovely screen, and good cameras. The iPhone 14’s camera array is better than the iPhone 13’s, and will make most mobile photogs very happy. It also lasts more than a day on a single charge. This isn’t the fastest or most feature-rich iPhone, but it’s light, fast, and attractive."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Apple iPhone 14
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
143,700
Recommendations made
81,430
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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