Today is the age of 5G. The evolution of technology is happening so rapidly that it has become hard to keep track of. An increasing number of cellular network providers are now moving towards the latest 5G spectrum. This shift is even more visible with the release of 5G compatible devices like our very own iPhone 12.
With so many features now being released in the name of upgrades, this latest release from the house of Apple is simply irresistible. Still, I wonder if someone had to make a choice between its predecessor the iPhone 11, and the iPhone 5 reincarnation iPhone 12, which one would they have chosen?
To find the answer to this question, I compared both the devices and here is what I found. If you are also confused between the two, this article is what you need to give a read.
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: Comparing the two
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
| A13 Bionic Chip | A14 Bionic Chip |
| 17 hr Battery Life | 17 hr Battery Life |
| Affordable | Expensive |
| 12MP Ultra Wide Cameras with 2X optical zoom, Night mode, Deep Fusion, and optical image stabilisation | 12MP Ultra Wide Cameras with 2X optical zoom, Night mode, Deep Fusion, and optical image stabilisation |
| 0.32~0.33 inch thickness | 0.29-inch thickness |
| RAM: 64GB/ 128GB/ 256GB | RAM: 64GB/ 128GB/ 256GB |
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Considering the table above, one can easily conclude that both iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 share a large number of features like the display, size, battery life, camera and the RAM storage options. Still, there are some notable differences between the two. The Display technology, the processor, and the 5G compatibility to name among a few.
Now, let us consider another table:
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 |
| LCD Liquid Retina HD display with 1792-by-828-pixel resolution at 326 PPI and 1,400:1 contrast ratio | OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 PPI, 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and HDR |
| 4G LTE connectivity | 5G connectivity |
| Water Resistance up to 2m depth for 30 minutes | Water Resistance up to 6m for 30 minutes |
| Qi Wireless Charging | MagSafe and Qi Wireless Charging |
| 0.32~0.33 inch thickness | 0.29-inch thickness |
| Available in White, Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, and Red Color | Available in White, Black, Blue, Green, and Red Color |
Now this table would clearly differentiate the two devices. Where the camera has been upgraded with Ultra Wide LiDAR and Smart HDR 3 for photography, the RAM and material design has also been improved.
Sneak Peek under the Scanner
Design and Colors
The iPhone 12 is said to be the incarnation of the iPhone 5. With the same squared-off industrial design and a flat aluminum band around the sides, the iPhone 12 clearly distinguishes itself from the iPhone 11, which has rounded sides. The use of polished glass on the rear remains similar on both the phones. The iPhone 12 represents its design as a refinement to the old iPhone 11’s design. This design makes the Phone 12 easier to hold with an improved grip. The design also gets 0.9mm thinner and 32gms lighter than the iPhone 11.
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As far as the color options are concerned, the iPhone 12 has got a new color variant in the form of Blue, which wasn’t available win the previous generation, the iPhone 11.
Display
The display on the iPhone 12 is another major improvement I see. This iPhone has an OLED Super Retina XDR display which offers nearly twice the peak brightness of iPhone 11. The display also offers higher contrast values, true blacks, HDR for even rich colors and system-wide color management for industry-leading color accuracy. The news OLED screen has reduced bezels and comes with a stronger Ceramic Shield Front Glass, which offers up to four times improved drop performance. Still, if you are worried about the protection of your iPhone 12 screen, you can check these products out. Check the latest iPhone 12/12 Pro Screen Protectors. The improvements made on the display are among the main reasons why you should get the newer model.
Processor
The iPhone 12 comes with the latest A14 processor, claimed to be the world’s fastest chip ever on a smartphone. This processor is also the first to be built on a 5nm process. These improvements make the A14 18.4% faster in single-core performance and 17.6% faster in overall multi-core performance than the iPhone 11. The 16-core neural engine facilitates machine learning algorithms with an 80% increase in the overall device performance. Though the iPhone 11’s A13 cannot be undermined due to these minor differences. The A13 is still capable enough of delivering ultra-smooth performance.
Cellular Connectivity
The iPhone 12 has the sub-6GHz 5G as well as faster mmWave 5G in the US. Connectivity to 5G will make the device capable of delivering improved internet speeds, thus making downloads faster and 4K video streaming, gaming, and app experience smoother. You can also FaceTime in high definition and enjoy all the benefits that 5G has to offer over the 4G LTE in the iPhone 11 variant. Adding to that, iPhone 12 also has the Smart Data Mode which helps a user extend the iPhone’s battery life by intelligent assessment of 5G requirements and balancing data usage, speed and power in real-time.
In reality, 5G will only be worth it if one has an eligible data plan and is in a region with 5G cellular network availability. If you are someone who is looking to keep their phones for at least a period of 3-4 years, the iPhone 12 will definitely be a better option.
Camera
Though cameras on the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 12 are similar, with a dual 12MP camera system, Ultra Wide and a Wide lens with almost the same apertures, features such as the Night Mode and Deep Fusion are extended to the Ultra Wide and front-facing cameras on the iPhone 12. Also, the iPhone 12 can record HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30fps and time-lapses with the Night Mode easily.
The Final Verdict: Should you Upgrade?
If you already have the iPhone 11, personally, I don’t think you should plan to upgrade to the iPhone 12 just because it has the A14 processor and the 5G connectivity. Your iPhone 11 is still a flagship device that is more than capable of achieving humungous tasks easily. Wait for the iPhone 12 Pro to be released, and maybe then you can make a move.
Furthermore, if you are on the Android and planning a move towards iOS, or someone who is on the iPhone X platform, I think the iPhone 12 will be a significant upgrade.
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