iPhone 15 vs iPhone 12
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 15 | iPhone 12 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,445,704 | 1,091,814 | +32.4% |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A14 Bionic | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.1" 60 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 3,349 | 2,815 | +19.0% |
| Rear cameras | 48+12 MP | 12+12 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 6 GB / 128 GB | 4 GB / 64 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 6 GB / 512 GB | 4 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 171 | 164 | +4.3% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $799–$1,099 | $799–$949 | — |
- iPhone 15 leads on raw performance by about 32% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A14 Bionic).
- iPhone 15 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 15 or iPhone 12?
iPhone 15 advantages
- Raw performance (+24%)
- Battery capacity (+16%)
- Camera resolution (+75%)
- Memory (+33%)
iPhone 12 advantages
- Lightness (+4%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 15 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone 12 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
- Choose the iPhone 15 if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
Value for money
iPhone 15 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 12: which should you choose?
iPhone 15 — Apple iOS 17 smartphone (2023) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A16 Bionic, 3349 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,445,704 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $799.
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 15 vs iPhone 12: iPhone 15 is the faster phone. iPhone 15 leads on raw performance by about 32% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A14 Bionic). iPhone 15 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 15 is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,445,704 vs 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A16 Bionic 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 15 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 12. Batteries are 3,349 and 2,815 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 48+12 MP versus 12+12 MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 6 GB / 128 GB and 4 GB / 64 GB. The iPhone 15 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 15 better than the iPhone 12?
iPhone 15 is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. iPhone 15 leads on raw performance by about 32% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A14 Bionic).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 12?
iPhone 15 leads on raw performance by about 32% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A14 Bionic). iPhone 15 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 15 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 15 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the iPhone 12 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
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.