Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 15
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 15 side by side: Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A16 Bionic, 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2815mAh vs 3349mAh battery, $699 vs $799…
Apple
iPhone 12
$699
5categories won
Apple
iPhone 15
$799
8categories won
8 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 15 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 15 proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. For battery longevity and charging speed, the iPhone 15 takes the lead, while the iPhone 12 is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the iPhone 15 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 15 takes battery honors offering 3,349 mAh alongside 20W charging.
iPhone 12 leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Apple A14 Bionic and 4GB RAM.
iPhone 15 takes photography with 48MP optics.
iPhone 12 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $799.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 15: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.1" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1179 x 2556Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 461 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 1,380,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800Winner | 6650 |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 6 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAh | 3,349 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 20 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 164 gWinner | 171 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Ceramic Shield front, glass back and aluminum design | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused matte glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18 | iOS 17 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $799 |
Apple iPhone 12
The Apple iPhone 12 upgraded the best-selling base model formula with a stunning Super Retina XDR OLED panel, Ceramic Shield glass, 5G capabilities, and featherlight 164g ergonomics.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,815mAh
Apple iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 gains the interactive Dynamic Island, a 48MP dual camera capturing 24MP default snaps with 2x lossless digital cropping, 2000-nit outdoor brightness, USB-C convenience, and pastel matte glass styling.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,349mAh