iPhone 16 Plus & iPhone 12 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 16 Plus rather than the iPhone 12.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Plus?
- The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina OLED display for a more immersive viewing experience with sharper detail when streaming or gaming, whereas the iPhone 12 has a smaller 6.1-inch OLED display.
- iPhone 16 Plus has a 48 MP dual rear camera system with advanced sensor-shift stabilization for capturing high-resolution photos and steadier videos, while the iPhone 12 includes a 12 MP dual rear camera system with less detail and stability.
- It comes with the A18 Bionic chip for faster multitasking, smoother app performance, and advanced AI processing, whereas the iPhone 12 uses the older A14 Bionic chip with slower performance and no AI optimization.
- The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger ~4350 mAh battery for longer endurance that delivers up to 27 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 12 uses a smaller ~2815 mAh battery.
- iPhone 16 Plus includes USB-C connectivity for faster charging and universal accessory compatibility, while the iPhone 12 relies on the Lightning connector with limited accessory support.
- It features Bluetooth 5.3 for more stable wireless connections and improved efficiency with modern headphones and wearables, while the iPhone 12 uses Bluetooth 5.0 with less reliability and range.
- The iPhone 16 Plus has a Camera Control button and customizable Action Button for quicker access to photography and essential functions, whereas the iPhone 12 only includes a traditional mute switch with limited use.
- iPhone 16 Plus supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster and more reliable wireless internet connectivity in high-bandwidth environments, while the iPhone 12 supports older Wi-Fi 6.
Maybe the iPhone 12 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 Plus. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 12 |
| Display size | 6.7-inch | 6.1-inch |
| Display resolution | 2796 × 1290 px | 2532 × 1170 px |
| Pixel density (ppi) | 460 | (not specified) |
| Display type | Super Retina XDR OLED with HDR & True Tone | Super Retina XDR OLED with True Tone |
| Rear camera | Dual 48 MP | Dual 12 MP |
| Main camera aperture | f/1.6 | (not specified) |
| Ultra-wide camera aperture | f/2.2 | (not specified) |
| Chipset | A18 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| CPU performance boost | Up to ~60 % faster | Baseline |
| GPU performance boost | Up to ~2× faster (or 40–70 %) | Baseline |
| Storage options | 128 / 256 / 512 GB | 64 / 128 / 256 GB |
| Battery capacity | ~4350 mAh | ~2815 mAh |
| Battery (video playback) | Up to 27 hours | Significantly lower |
| Connector type | USB-C | Lightning |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Weight | ~199 g | ~164 g |
| New physical buttons | Action button + Camera Control button | Silent switch only |
| Wireless charging | Qi / MagSafe | Qi |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 12 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Brand (Apple): Both are Apple devices, sharing the same ecosystem, quality standards, design philosophy, and seamless integration with services like iCloud, App Store, and continuity across Apple products.
- Operating System (iOS): Both run Apple’s iOS and benefit from long-term software support, including updates, security patches, and access to Apple Intelligence features over time.
- Display Technology (OLED with True Tone): Both use high-quality OLED panels offering excellent contrast, vibrant colors, and the True Tone feature, which adapts screen warmth to ambient lighting for better visual comfort.
- Face ID: Facial recognition is used for secure authentication on both models, enabling unlocking, payments, and app authentication via the TrueDepth camera system.
- Water Resistance (IP68): Rated for splash, water, and dust resistance up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, both devices are built to endure everyday exposure to water and dust.
- Wireless Charging (Qi & MagSafe): Both models support wireless charging using Qi and MagSafe, enabling convenient cable-free charging and compatibility with magnetic accessories.
- 5G Connectivity: Both support 5G cellular connectivity, offering high-speed mobile data and better network performance where available.
- NFC Support: Both include NFC (Near Field Communication), enabling Apple Pay, quick pairing, and other contactless interactions.
- Dual SIM Capability: Both can accommodate dual SIM use via a combo of nano-SIM and eSIM (region-dependent), allowing for flexible carrier configurations and travel use.
- GPS / Multi-GNSS: Equipped with satellite navigation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS), both support accurate location tracking for navigation, mapping, and location-based apps.
- Ultra Wideband (UWB): Both include Apple’s UWB chip, providing precise spatial awareness for features like AirTag location tracking and improved AirDrop sharing.
- Sensors (Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ambient Light, Barometer, Proximity): A suite of sensors—accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, barometer, and proximity sensor—is present in both, facilitating motion detection, adaptive display brightness, environmental readings, and efficient screen behavior during calls.
- Rear Glass Material & Aluminum Frame: Both are built with a glass back and aluminum housing, balancing a premium feel, durability, and support for wireless charging.
- Splash/Dust Resistance: Both hold the same IP68 certification, ensuring they’re equally protected against water splashes and dust ingress.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 12 |
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Operating system | iOS | iOS |
| Display technology | OLED Super Retina | OLED Super Retina XDR |
| Face ID | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Wireless charging | Qi and MagSafe | Qi and MagSafe |
| 5G connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| NFC support | Yes | Yes |
| Dual SIM | Yes | Yes |
| GPS support | Yes | Yes |
| Ultra Wideband (UWB) | Yes | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Proximity sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Rear glass material | Glass-back design | Glass-back design |
| Aluminum frame | Yes | Yes |
| Splash/dust resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 12 Price |
