iPhone 16

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Is It Time to Upgrade?

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Is It Time to Upgrade?

If you’re using the iPhone 12, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth upgrading to the iPhone 16. Let’s break down the key differences.

Display: Great, but the iPhone 16 is Better

Your iPhone 12 has a 6.1” Super Retina XDR OLED display, which still holds up well. The iPhone 16 has the same display size, but it’s even brighter with sharper contrast and better color accuracy. If you love streaming or gaming on your phone, this will stand out.

Performance: From A14 to A17 Bionic

The iPhone 12 is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which offers solid performance for most apps and games. But if you want the best in speed, multitasking, and efficiency, the iPhone 16’s A17 Bionic chip will provide noticeable improvements. It’s future-proofed for more demanding apps and software updates.

Camera: Newer Tech, Sharper Photos

The iPhone 12’s dual 12MP cameras are solid, but the iPhone 16 takes it to the next level with a 48MP main camera. The enhanced Night Mode, AI improvements, and better zoom capabilities make the iPhone 16 a perfect choice for capturing higher-quality photos in any setting.

Battery Life: Improved Efficiency

The iPhone 12 offers decent battery life, but the iPhone 16 improves on that with a more efficient A17 chip. Plus, the iPhone 16 supports faster charging, which means less time tethered to a charger.

5G Connectivity: Both Phones Have It

Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 16 support 5G, so you’ll have fast connectivity on both. If this is your priority, both phones deliver here.

Why the iPhone 14 is the Best Upgrade Option

The iPhone 14 strikes the perfect balance if you’re looking for an upgrade without going all the way to the iPhone 16. It features the same Super Retina XDR display, a more advanced A15 Bionic chip, improved cameras, and better battery life than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 14 gives you a newer experience without the premium price tag of the iPhone 16.

Need help deciding? Try out our Plug Find Your iPhone Tool to discover which model is the perfect fit for you!​

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Compare Specs

iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Sale price$9,999.99
iPhone 12 Black 64GB (Unlocked) - Plug.tech
iPhone 12 (Unlocked) Sale priceFrom $249.99 Regular price$699.99
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Sale price$9,999.99
iPhone 12 Black 64GB (Unlocked) - Plug.tech
iPhone 12 (Unlocked) Sale priceFrom $249.99 Regular price$699.99
Color Options

Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine

Black, Green, Yellow, Red

Display

Super Retina XDR display
6.1-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display
Dynamic Island

Super Retina XDR display
6.1-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display1
HDR display
2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio

Camera

Advanced dual-camera system (48MP Fusion and 12MP Ultra Wide)
Fusion: 48MP, ƒ/1.6 aperture
Ultra Wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
.5x, 1x, 2x optical zoom options
True Tone flash

Dual 12MP camera system (Main and Ultra Wide)
Main: ƒ/1.6 aperture
Ultra Wide: ƒ/2.4 aperture
Optical image stabilization

Video Recording

4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (up to 4K HDR at 30 fps)
Action mode

4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 30 fps
Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps

Power and Battery

Video playback - Up to 22 hours
Audio playback - Up to 80 hours

Built-in rechargeable lithium‑ion battery
MagSafe and Qi wireless charging

5G Compatible

yes

yes