Iphone 11 Vs 12 Is The Iphone 12 Still Worth It Or Should I Just Get The 11

Apple’s iPhone lineup moves fast. What was cutting-edge two years ago now competes in the mid-tier market. The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are prime examples. Both remain popular in the used and refurbished markets, but which one delivers better value today? If you're deciding between these two models, the answer isn't always about specs—it's about how those specs translate into real-world use, longevity, and future-proofing.

The iPhone 12 brought several key upgrades over the iPhone 11, but at a higher price. Now that both devices have been on the market for years, their prices have converged. So, is the extra cost of the iPhone 12 justified? Or can the older, more affordable iPhone 11 still hold its own?

Design and Build Quality

The most noticeable difference between the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 is design language. The iPhone 11 features curved edges and an aluminum frame with a glass back—solid, but familiar. The iPhone 12, however, introduced a flat-edge design reminiscent of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4, giving it a more modern, premium feel.

More importantly, the iPhone 12 uses Ceramic Shield front cover glass, which Apple claims offers four times better drop performance than previous models. Combined with aerospace-grade aluminum edges, the iPhone 12 feels sturdier and more resilient. The iPhone 11 has decent durability but lacks this level of protection.

Tip: If you frequently drop your phone, the iPhone 12’s Ceramic Shield could save you from costly screen repairs.

Both phones are splash, water, and dust resistant, but the iPhone 12 carries an IP68 rating (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes), compared to the iPhone 11’s IP68 at 2 meters. That extra depth tolerance may not matter daily, but it’s a sign of improved engineering.

Display: OLED vs LCD

This is where the iPhone 12 pulls significantly ahead. The iPhone 11 uses a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display with a resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels. While perfectly functional, LCDs tend to have lower contrast ratios, less vibrant colors, and deeper blacks aren’t as true.

In contrast, the iPhone 12 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels. OLED technology provides deeper blacks, higher brightness (up to 1200 nits HDR), and richer color accuracy. For anyone who watches videos, browses photos, or reads in bright sunlight, the upgrade is immediately noticeable.

“OLED displays fundamentally change the viewing experience—they’re not just sharper; they feel more immersive.” — David Lin, Display Technology Analyst at TechPulse Insights

If media consumption is part of your daily routine, the iPhone 12’s display alone may justify the price difference.

Performance and Longevity

Both phones are powered by Apple’s A-series chips: the iPhone 11 runs the A13 Bionic, while the iPhone 12 uses the A14 Bionic. On paper, the A14 is faster—about 16% quicker in CPU tasks and 8% in GPU performance. But in everyday use, the difference is subtle.

Both handle iOS updates smoothly, multitasking efficiently, and run demanding apps like video editors and mobile games without issue. However, the A14 gives the iPhone 12 a slight edge in long-term software support. Given Apple’s typical 5–6 year update cycle, the iPhone 12 is likely to receive iOS updates one year longer than the iPhone 11.

Realistically, both will support current and upcoming iOS versions through at least 2025. But if you plan to keep your phone beyond 2026, the iPhone 12 is the safer bet.

Camera Comparison

The camera systems on both phones include dual 12MP setups: wide and ultra-wide lenses. At first glance, they look identical, but there are meaningful differences.

• Night Mode: Available on both wide and front cameras on the iPhone 12; only on the wide lens for the iPhone 11.
• Deep Fusion: Enhanced image processing kicks in at medium lighting on the iPhone 12, delivering finer detail and better texture.
• Smart HDR 3: The iPhone 12 improves dynamic range in mixed lighting, preserving highlights and shadows more effectively.
• Photographic Styles: Introduced with the iPhone 12, this feature lets you apply custom looks while maintaining skin tone integrity—a small but useful creative tool.

In low-light conditions, the iPhone 12 consistently produces cleaner, brighter images with less noise. The combination of Night mode on all cameras and improved sensor processing makes a tangible difference.

Tip: If you take a lot of photos in dim lighting or love portrait shots, the iPhone 12’s camera system is worth the upgrade.

5G Connectivity and Future-Proofing

This is arguably the biggest differentiator. The iPhone 12 was Apple’s first 5G-capable phone. It supports both mmWave (in select U.S. models) and sub-6GHz 5G networks, offering faster download and upload speeds where coverage exists.

The iPhone 11, limited to 4G LTE, won’t benefit from expanding 5G infrastructure. While 5G isn’t essential today for most users—especially outside urban centers—it’s becoming increasingly relevant for cloud gaming, high-resolution video streaming, and remote work applications.

If you live in a city with strong 5G coverage or expect to in the next few years, having access to faster wireless speeds adds long-term value. Even if you don’t use 5G heavily now, having it ensures your phone remains compatible with evolving network standards.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature	iPhone 11	iPhone 12
Release Year	2019	2020
Display Type	Liquid Retina LCD	Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution	1792 x 828	2532 x 1170
Chipset	A13 Bionic	A14 Bionic
Rear Cameras	12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra-Wide	12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra-Wide
Night Mode (Front)	No	Yes
Water Resistance	IP68 (2m for 30 min)	IP68 (6m for 30 min)
Network	4G LTE	5G (mmWave & sub-6GHz)
Wireless Charging	Magsafe compatible (Qi)	MagSafe with alignment magnet
Battery Life (Video Playback)	Up to 17 hours	Up to 17 hours

Note: Battery life is nearly identical despite the more efficient A14 chip, due to increased power demands from 5G and the OLED display.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah, a freelance photographer based in Austin, needed a new phone after her iPhone XR started slowing down. She considered both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, focusing on camera quality and reliability. She tested both in-store, taking sample night shots and reviewing them side-by-side.

She noticed the iPhone 12 captured more detail in shadows and produced smoother skin tones in low light. Also, she travels frequently and wanted better connectivity. After learning that her favorite co-working spaces now offer private 5G networks, she opted for the iPhone 12.

Two years later, Sarah says the decision paid off. Her phone handles photo editing apps smoothly, uploads large files quickly via 5G, and the OLED screen makes client previews impressive. “I thought the iPhone 11 would be enough,” she said, “but the small improvements add up every day.”

Checklist: Which iPhone Should You Buy?

Use this checklist to guide your decision:

1. ✅ Do you prioritize display quality? → Choose iPhone 12
2. ✅ Will you keep the phone for 4+ years? → iPhone 12 offers better longevity
3. ✅ Do you want 5G for faster downloads or future apps? → iPhone 12 is required
4. ✅ Are you on a tight budget and mostly use basic apps? → iPhone 11 is sufficient
5. ✅ Do you take lots of photos, especially at night? → iPhone 12 wins
6. ✅ Do you already have a good case and accessories? → Both are compatible with most third-party gear

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone 12 battery better than the iPhone 11?

No significant difference. Both last around 17 hours for video playback. The iPhone 12’s OLED screen is more efficient, but 5G usage offsets those gains. Real-world battery life depends more on settings and usage patterns.

Can the iPhone 11 still run the latest iOS?

Yes. As of iOS 17, the iPhone 11 is fully supported. It will likely receive iOS 18, but iOS 19 may be the cutoff. The iPhone 12 is expected to support updates through iOS 20 or beyond.

Is the price difference worth it?

If the iPhone 12 costs less than $100 more than the iPhone 11 (common in the refurbished market), then yes—it brings meaningful upgrades in display, durability, camera, and 5G. If the gap is over $150, the iPhone 11 becomes a smarter value pick for casual users.

Final Verdict: Is the iPhone 12 Still Worth It?

The iPhone 12 remains a compelling choice in 2024—not because it’s the newest, but because it strikes a rare balance between innovation and practicality. It introduced critical upgrades that the iPhone 11 lacks: a superior OLED display, 5G connectivity, enhanced build quality, and slightly better cameras.

However, the iPhone 11 is far from obsolete. For users who make calls, browse social media, and use messaging apps, it performs excellently. If you find a well-maintained iPhone 11 at a steep discount—say, under $300—it’s a sensible purchase.

But if you can stretch your budget slightly, the iPhone 12 delivers noticeably better user experience across the board. Its modern design, future-ready 5G, and longer software support make it the wiser investment for most buyers.

💬 Have you upgraded from iPhone 11 to 12—or stayed put? Share your experience below and help others make a confident choice!