Buyer’s Guide: Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro

The iPhone 16 might be all the rage these days, but let's be honest-not everyone feels the need to make the jump to the newest and greatest smartphone. Sometimes, you just have to weigh your options and go for what feels like a good balance between features and value, and looking at slightly older models might be just what you need. Heck! refurbished iPhones may very well offer that sweet middle ground: high-end features minus the hefty price tag.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro were both brute flagships in their time, with each bringing unique strengths to the table. But, how do they stack up against each other in 2024? Let's dive in and see which one still holds its mettle in today's market.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Design and Build Quality

The iPhone 12 Pro brought back the nostalgic squared-off design and stainless-steel framing, with the classic mute switch. Fast-forward to the iPhone 15 Pro release and Apple seemed to have reconsidered the design. The 2023 model sports an aerospace-grade titanium frame with rounded edges and a mappable Action button. This shift to a titanium frame was most definitely a welcome addition as it adds some durability to the device and offers the benefit of not being an absolute fingerprint magnet. Comparatively, the iPhone 12 Pro’s polished steel while gorgeous to hold tends to attract fingerprints.

The size and weight of these Pro devices are pretty comparable. The iPhone 15 Pro dimensions come in at 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm, while the iPhone 12 Pro dimensions are just a smidge larger at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm. That little variation will make no observable difference when you hold them, but it does count for an overall sleeker feel in the hand with the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro weight and the iPhone 12 Pro weight are also quite close, with the 15 Pro weighing in at 187 grams and the 12 Pro just a bit heavier at 189 grams.

The Action Button was perhaps the biggest hardware upgrade that Apple adorned the iPhone 15 Pro with. They didn’t just kill a feature - they reinvented it. Unlike the classic mute switch, the Action Button’s programmability lets you use your iPhone in completely new ways. Users can do more than just change their ringer settings. You can now launch a bunch of other shortcuts like launching the Notes app, turning on the flashlight or even toggling Do Not Disturb.

If you appreciate the convenience offered by USB-C, then you will love the iPhone 15 Pro. Apple ditched the aging Lightning Port on the iPhone 12 Pro in favour of a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, making the iPhone 15 series the first iPhone model to support this faster, more universal connection.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Display and Screen Quality

There are plenty of notable display differences between these two Pro models. The iPhone 15 Pro screen size and iPhone 12 Pro screen size both measure 6.1 inches. But that is as far as the similarities go. As an older model, the iPhone 12 Pro’s refresh rate peaks at only 60Hz, which is significantly low given that the iPhone 15 Pro supports 120Hz ProMotion. This means that the 15 Pro feels a lot smoother-animations, and scrolling, and every swipe just flows effortlessly. The bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro are much slimmer, giving you more screen real estate to work with.

And yeah, instead of a notch, we have a pill-shaped Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15 Pro which lets you view notifications, low battery warnings, AirDrop transfers and much more. The iPhone 15 Pro resolution is also great. While both devices deliver crisp OLED-level visuals, the newer model enhances HDR content, allowing for richer colours and deeper contrasts.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Cameras

Whether you enjoy mobile photography or not, everyone loves a good camera phone. After all, you never know when a picture-perfect moment will pop up. The cameras on these two devices shine in their own right. But the upgrades on the iPhone 15 Pro are hard to pass up. The iPhone 12 Pro and 15 Pro both come with three rear cameras and a front camera. However, the iPhone 15 Pro sports a 48MP main sensor, a huge bump from the 12MP lens on the 2020 models. This upgrade doesn’t just mean more megapixels: it means more detail, especially when you zoom in or crop.

Another noticeable improvement is in the ultra-wide lens. While both phones have one, the addition of macro capability on the iPhone 15 Pro lets you get closer to your subjects. It is one of those features you never knew you needed until you tried it as it adds a completely new layer of fun to photography!

And then there's the zoom factor: the iPhone 12 Pro has a 2x telephoto lens, which is great for close-ups, but the 15 Pro takes it further and can achieve up to 3x zoom. For anyone who likes long-distance shots-like wildlife or action photography, the 15 Pro series is a big step up.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Performance and Software

Let's dive into the heart of these gadgets - performance. The iPhone 15 Pro introduced a great, higher-power processor, just like each generation of iPhones, that is the A17 Bionic chip. This chip is not only faster compared to the A14 Bionic chip on the iPhone 12 Series but more efficient too. It offers a CPU that is 10% faster, a GPU that is 20% faster, and a Neural Engine that is twice as fast as its predecessor

The iPhone 15 Pro also ups the ante with 8GB of faster LPDDR5 RAM. That represents a bump over the 6GB of older LPDDR4X RAM in the iPhone 12 Pro. Both models run on iOS 18.1, so you'll enjoy the latest software features on either device. However, the combination of the A17 chip and the faster RAM in the 15 Pro ensures that you’ll be able to take full advantage of these features without any hiccups.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Battery Life

Battery life is a big deal for most smartphone users, and the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro is pretty impressive. The iPhone 12 Pro offers a respectable battery life, lasting up to 17 hours during video playback. While this was impressive at its launch, Apple outdid itself with the iPhone 15 Pro, which boasts an impressive 23 hours of video playback time.

Thanks to the A17 Bionic chip’s energy-efficient design, the 15 Pro optimizes power usage, allowing you to enjoy longer sessions of streaming, gaming, or browsing without constantly searching for a charger. The addition of USB-C on the 15 Pro also means faster charging options, giving you more convenience when you're in a pinch.

Verdict

So, is it time to upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro? Definitely! This phone is a game changer, offering a buttery-smooth 120Hz ProMotion display that makes everything feel incredibly responsive. The upgraded camera system is a dream come true for anyone who loves photography, with stunning low-light performance and a whopping 48MP main sensor for jaw-dropping shots.

You’ll love how the A17 Bionic chip speeds everything up, from app launches to multitasking, giving you a seamless experience. Plus, with its sleek design, slimmer bezels, and the nifty Dynamic Island for easy notifications, the iPhone 15 Pro looks as good as it performs.

And if you're looking to save a few bucks, both the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro are available as refurbished iPhones at Phonebot. All our devices are meticulously tested to ensure quality, making them a fantastic choice.

Ready to elevate your smartphone experience? Check out our selection of refurbished iPhones today!