Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 18 Air
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 18 Air side by side: Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC), 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2815mAh vs 3400mAh battery…
Apple
iPhone 12
$699
2categories won
Apple
iPhone 18 Air
$1,199
16categories won
3 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 18 Air takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 18 Air proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone 18 Air leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 18 Air. Choose the iPhone 18 Air if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 18 Air takes battery honors offering 3,400 mAh alongside 35W charging.
iPhone 18 Air provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC) and 12GB RAM.
iPhone 18 Air takes photography with 48MP optics.
iPhone 12 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $1199.
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 18 Air: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.6" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1260 x 2740Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 457 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 3000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC) |
| Process node | 5 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800 | 10800 |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2Winner | 1 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 24 MPWinner |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAh | 3,400 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 35 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 20 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 164 g | 148 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.4 mm | 5.5 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Ceramic Shield front, glass back and aluminum design | Grade 5 Titanium frame, Ceramic Glass front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18 | iOS 20 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $1,199 |
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 18 Air
The iPhone 18 Air is Apple’s thinnest, lightest smartphone ever made. Measuring just 5.5mm thin and weighing a feathery 148g, it integrates a full 6.6-inch 120Hz ProMotion panel, 2nm A20 Pro performance, and a single versatile 48MP Fusion camera.
- Display
- 6.6"
- Chipset
- Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,400mAh