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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a lower price is your main concern and you are willing to compromise on newer features, the iPhone 12 is a viable option with a good quality camera and display. However, if you value a superior camera, increased battery life, and a larger screen size, the iPhone 15 Plus offers significant improvements in these areas, although it comes at a premium price. Both phones run on iOS, so the operating system will be familiar, and neither includes a headphone jack or expandable storage, emphasizing wireless and cloud functionalities. The iPhone 15 Plus also boasts newer technology like a more powerful processor and more RAM, which contribute to better overall performance and a more future-proof experience. 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 15 Plus.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Very good for taking photos
- Excellent for recording videos
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
8.6
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has very good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has excellent cameras because it has a higher selfie quality compared to the good selfie capabilities of the iPhone 12; this is supported by better photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, which are factors that also contribute to its camera versatility. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Plus offers better video capabilities across resolution, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, paired with superior microphone quality.
Photo Quality
7.1
8.5
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes very good photos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes the best photos because it has superior camera software and versatility, enhancing overall photo quality and user experience more than the iPhone 12. Although the iPhone 12 also takes good photos, it falls short of the iPhone 15 Plus, especially in the selfie department which is very important to many users.
Video Quality
7.2
9.1
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes excellent videos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus delivers superior video quality compared to the iPhone 12 due to advancements in video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance. While both phones have excellent microphone quality and resolution/framerate, the iPhone 15 Plus outperforms the iPhone 12 with its better overall video capturing capabilities.
Battery
6.2 Hours
8.9 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has 8.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$600
$829
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus costs $829.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $829 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Apple | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | iOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | September 22, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2796 x 1290 | |
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 | A16 | |
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 | 8.7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 8.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4383 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" | 6.33" x 3.06" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 7.09 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 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 | Yellow, Pink, Blue, Green, Black | |
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 15 Plus
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Eric Zeman | October 2023
"Apple's iPhone 15 Plus is the phone to get if battery life and budget are your top concerns. It outlasts the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, coming in second only to the top-shelf Pro Max. Otherwise, it includes a larger display than the standard iPhone 15, the same speedy processor, a fine pair of cameras, excellent wireless radios, and a waterproof build."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Apple iPhone 15 Plus
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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Why trust us
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
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Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
86,020
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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