iPhone 12 vs iPhone 16
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 12 | iPhone 16 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,091,814 | 1,622,118 | -32.7% |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A18 | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.1" 60 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 2,815 | 3,561 | -20.9% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12 MP | 48+12 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 4 GB / 64 GB | 8 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 4 GB / 256 GB | 8 GB / 512 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 164 | 170 | -3.5% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $799–$949 | $799–$1,099 | — |
- iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18).
- iPhone 12 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 12 or iPhone 16?
iPhone 12 advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
iPhone 16 advantages
- Raw performance (+33%)
- Battery capacity (+21%)
- Camera resolution (+75%)
- Memory (+50%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 16 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Value for money
iPhone 16 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 16: which should you choose?
iPhone 12 — Apple iOS 14 smartphone (2020) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A14 Bionic, 2815 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $799.
iPhone 16 — Apple iOS 18 smartphone (2024) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A18, 3561 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,622,118 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $799.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 16: iPhone 16 is the faster phone. iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18). iPhone 12 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 16 is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,622,118 vs 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A18 against the Apple A14 Bionic. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 12 carries a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 16. Batteries are 2,815 and 3,561 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12 MP versus 48+12 MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 4 GB / 64 GB and 8 GB / 128 GB. The iPhone 12 is the more affordable at about $799 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 12 better than the iPhone 16?
iPhone 16 is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 16?
iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18). iPhone 12 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 16 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 16 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.