There are two identical devices in Apple’s iPhone lineup: the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro. But which one should you choose? Both phones are visually similar in terms of build quality, size and feature set. The iPhone 12 Pro series offers notable improvements in performance and camera quality, as well as a new design.
This comparison will show you the differences between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro models. It will help you decide which device is right for you.
Design: The same, but different
The 12 Pro series has flattened sides, which is the most notable design difference between the two iPhone generations. The entire iPhone 12 line-up reverted back to the flattened sides found on the iPhone 4/5 generation.
Both generations’ metal sides are made from stainless steel, much like the iPhone 4S and 4S. However, Apple gave the iPhone 12 series a better finish that makes the stainless steel rails look almost like a mirror. They will look great when clean, but they will be more susceptible to fingerprints and smudges.
The iPhone 11 Pro series was the first iPhone to use the frosted-glass finish. This finish is also available on the iPhone 12 Pro models.
The frosted glass finish can be found on all four iPhone 11 models and the 12 Pro models. The only difference is the colour options. The iPhone 11 series comes in Silver, Space Grey and Gold; the iPhone 12 Pro series has Silver, Graphite and Gold.
These devices are very similar, but it all comes down to personal preference and colour selections. The iPhone 11 Pro series is more ergonomic due to its curved corners, and rounded sides. The iPhone 12 Pro series features a more sophisticated design that offers greater protection due to its boxy shape.
Display: Equally Outstanding
The iPhone 11 Pro features a 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR display measuring 1125×243636 pixels. It supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and has a peak brightness setting of 1200 nits. The 11 Pro Max also has a 6.5 inch Super Retina XDR LCD display that supports the same media outputs as the 11 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro features a slightly larger 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR screen. It has the same peak brightness and display features of the iPhone 11 Pro. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is larger than the 12 Pro, but has the same capabilities. It measures 6.7 inches.
Apple’s Ceramic Shield is also available in the 12 Pro series. This coating protects against drops and provides better protection. It does not offer any improvement in scratch resistance.
Display quality is the same for both the 11 Pro and 12 Pro series. These devices offer excellent quality and resolution. They are OLEDs which offer true blacks and high contrast ratios. Apple kept the refresh rate at 60hz for the 12 Pro series, so that you don’t miss out on a faster refresh rate if the 11 Pro series is chosen.
If you are concerned about display quality, either iPhone generation will satisfy you. The most significant difference is when you contrast the iPhone 11 with the iPhone 12 or 12 mini. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has the best display Apple has to present.
Camera Systems: The Better the Bigger, the Better
The cameras are where the differences between the iPhone models will be most apparent. The 12 Pro Max is the clear choice for serious photographers and videographers who want the best Apple has on offer. You can also get the iPhone 11 Pro Max or 11 Pro Max for everyone else.
Camera Differences and Similarities
No matter what iPhone model you have, you will get the same ultrawide and selfie camera. These two cameras have very similar quality. The iPhone 12 Pro has the same telephoto lens as the 11 Pro series and is even more impressive.
All four iPhones are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second using all four cameras.
The iPhone 12 Pro series is capable of shooting ProRAW images as well as Dolby Vision HDR video. The 12 Pro series features a LiDAR sensor that allows for more precise Portrait mode and depth-mapping. The 12 Pro Max has a larger sensor and sensor-shift stabilisation. It also features an upgraded 2.5x Telephoto lens.
ProRAW allows both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max cameras to capture images in a new format. This format combines the iPhone’s image processing with the information from RAW file files to create a more detailed image. This format is ideal for those who want to adjust the colors and details of their images but not lose quality. The iPhone 11 Pro’s image quality remains sufficient and third-party apps such as VSCO and Halide can be used to take regular RAW photos.
Dolby Vision HDR video can capture a wider dynamic range which can lead to better color accuracy and detail. This format is ideal for video editors who need to be more in control of their footage.
About the iPhone 12 Pro Max
The 12 Pro Max is the most powerful set of cameras on an iPhone. This is due to its larger main sensor, ProRAW technology and sensor-shift capabilities.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with three cameras at the back: the main wide-angle, the telephoto and the ultrawide. The main wide-angle camera of the 12 Pro Max is larger than the iPhone 11 Pro or the 12 Pro. This means that it can pick up more light and perform better in low light. You’ll get a natural depth of field (blurry backdrop) from regular shooting modes, rather than Portrait mode which can cause edge detection problems.
With its larger sensor, the iPhone 12 Pro’s biggest selling point is its sensor-shift capabilities. The sensor-shift, also known as IBIS (in body image stabilization), is a feature that’s often found in large DSLR or cine cameras. However, the iPhone 12 Pro allows you to capture smooth video.
About the iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Cams
The only difference between the iPhone 11 Pro series and the iPhone 12 Pro is the faster aperture at f/1.6 on the main wide-angle camera, compared to f/1.8 for the 11 Pro models. The hardware is otherwise very similar.
You’ll be able take better night shots and videos with the faster aperture, but that’s not enough to justify upgrading to the 12 Pro over its 11 Pro series counterpart.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best of all four iPhones in terms of camera performance. The iPhone 12 Pro Max follows its lead, but there’s no compelling reason to choose the 12 Pro over iPhone 11 Pro. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best iPhone camera. Otherwise, you will be equally satisfied with the iPhone 11 Pro Max or 11 Pro Max.
Performance and Battery Life: Are You Future-Proof?
The base storage on the iPhone 12 Pro series is doubled, at 128GB, compared to 64GB for the iPhone 11 Pro models. The newer models will also have two gigabytes more RAM, which can help keep your phone’s performance high.
The A14 Bionic is comparable to the iPhone 11 Pro’s A13 in terms of performance, but you get industry-leading performance regardless. Apple’s 12 Pro Series is the best choice in this case because of its durability. Apple will undoubtedly support the newer phones for longer periods of time, which is crucial when you are spending over $1000 on a new phone.
The iPhone 12 Pro series also has 5G connectivity, which makes them more desirable than their predecessors. You’ll be able connect to faster data if desired.
Battery Life
Both generations should have similar battery lives in terms of battery life. The iPhone 12 Pro series’ battery capacity is slightly lower than that of the iPhone 11 Pro models.
The A14 Bionic’s smaller batteries won’t have a significant impact on battery life. It is also more efficient than its predecessor. You should choose larger phones (iPhone 11, 12 Pro Max) to increase your battery life over the standard sizes.
Which iPhone should you buy?
Each device is different and each has its strengths and flaws. It all depends on your expectations. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the clear choice if you’re looking for the most powerful iPhone available right now. It will cost you $1,099 from Apple. The iPhone 11 Pro Max, which retails for $700-900, is a great choice if you want the best iPhone value.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is recommended to those who are looking for the most advanced iPhone, but also to those who require a flexible camera array and the biggest screen of any iPhone. The iPhone 12 Pro is a great choice if you are looking for a smaller device but still has Apple’s most advanced features.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max and 11 Pro Max are the most affordable. These devices can be purchased at a lower price if you choose a refurbished model. The 11 Pro series has many of the same perks as the 12 Pro series, including telephoto cameras and RetinaXDR displays. It also features a fairly powerful chipset, which still delivers great performance.
