DATA-DRIVEN PHONE COMPARE

iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16

32 source-backed differences · 8 fields the same. Official sources below.

✓Both records verified · latest Aug 19, 2026

Pick two phones to see a source-backed comparison.

Comparing shared product base specs.

VS

Direct answer

iPhone 16 has advantages in battery, rear cameras, design & dimensions; the verified fields are otherwise comparable.

Top Differences

Prioritize what matters to you, then expand the full shared field set.

✓43 registry fields

Outdoor brightness800 nits typical; 1,200 nits hdr → 2,000 nits outdoor
Streamed video hours11 → 18
ChipA14 Bionic → A18
Main camera12 MP → 48 MP
Ultra Wide cameraUnknown → 12 MP

What Changed

Deterministic differences from the verified structured records.

Outdoor brightnessDifferent, with no automatic winner

800 nits typical; 1,200 nits hdr compared with 2,000 nits outdoor

Streamed video hoursiPhone 16

11 compared with 18

ChipDifferent, with no automatic winner

A14 Bionic compared with A18

Main cameraiPhone 16

12 MP compared with 48 MP

Ultra Wide cameraDifferent, with no automatic winner

Unknown compared with 12 MP

Full Comparison

Expand every verified field and inspect the complete side-by-side data.

✓43 registry fields

FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
Ultra Wide cameraMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown12 MPHigher resolution can preserve more detail in wide scenes.
Main cameraMarginal difference2 official sources12 MP48 MPResolution is one part of camera detail and crop flexibility.
ApertureMarginal difference2 official sourcesƒ/2.2 apertureƒ/1.9 apertureNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
VideoMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fpsNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
Outdoor brightnessMeaningful difference2 official sources800 nits typical; 1,200 nits hdr2,000 nits outdoorHigher outdoor brightness improves sunlight readability.
ResolutionMarginal difference2 official sources2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi2556-by-1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
ChipMarginal difference2 official sourcesA14 BionicA18Newer silicon generally extends performance headroom.
Cpu coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Gpu coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown5No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Neural engine coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown16No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
Video playbackMarginal difference2 official sources17 hours22 hoursApple’s common playback test gives a comparable endurance signal.
Fast chargeMarginal difference2 official sourcesUp to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 11 with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 6 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately)Shorter top-up time matters during travel and busy days.
Audio playback hoursMarginal difference2 official sources6580No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Streamed video hoursMeaningful difference2 official sources1118No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
WeightMarginal difference2 official sources189 g170 gWeight affects long sessions and one-handed comfort.
Depth mmMarginal difference2 official sources7.47.8No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Height mmMarginal difference2 official sources146.7147.6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Width mmMarginal difference2 official sources71.571.6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ColorsMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarineNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
MaterialsMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownAluminum design, Ceramic Shield front, Color-infused glass back (Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
BluetoothMarginal difference2 official sourcesBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3The generation can affect accessory capabilities.
UwbMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownYesNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
WifiMarginal difference2 official sourcesWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
U.S. SIMMarginal difference2 official sourcesDual SIMDual eSIM onlySIM format determines carrier setup and travel flexibility.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
ContentsMarginal difference2 official sourcesiPhone with iOS 14, USB-C to Lightning Cable, Documentation, We encourage you to re-use your current USB-A to Lightning cables, power adapters, and headphones which are compatible with this iPhone. But if you need any new Apple power adapters or headphones, they are available for purchase.iPhone 16, USB-C Charge Cable (1 m), Documentation, We encourage you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter. If you need a new Apple power adapter or headphones, they are available for purchase.No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ReleaseYearMarginal difference2 official sources20202024No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ListMarginal difference2 official sourcesFace ID, LiDAR Scanner, Barometer, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensorFace ID, Barometer, High dynamic range gyro, High-g accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Dual ambient light sensorsNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
Magsafe wMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown25No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Qi2 wMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown25No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
ConnectorMarginal difference2 official sourcesLightningUSB-CNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Usb speedMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownUSB 2 (up to 480Mb/s)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16Why it matters
Fresh ordinary priceMarginal difference1 official sourceUnavailable$829 · 128GBOrdinary unlocked prices avoid presenting carrier-dependent discounts as universal.

What’s the same

Display size6.1 in
Zoom2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range
RatingRated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
Front camera12 MP
Storage options128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
Type12MP camera
Cellular5G sub-6 GHz and mmWave
NfcYes

Which should you buy?

iPhone 16 leads in Battery, Camera and Design; the two are otherwise comparable.

CHOOSE IPHONE 12 PRO
    CHOOSE IPHONE 16
    • Choose iPhone 16 if you prioritize battery, camera and design.

    Category-by-category

    BATTERY · iPhone 16

    Leads in battery.

    REAR CAMERAS · iPhone 16

    Leads in camera.

    DESIGN & DIMENSIONS · iPhone 16

    Leads in design.

    DISPLAY · Comparable

    Comparable across display.

    PERFORMANCE · Comparable

    Comparable across performance.

    CONNECTIVITY · Comparable

    Comparable across connectivity.

    REGIONAL VARIANTS · Comparable

    Comparable across regional.

    OTHER · Comparable

    Comparable across other.

    CHARGING · Comparable

    Comparable across charging.

    PORTS · Comparable

    Comparable across ports.

    PRICE · Comparable

    Comparable across price.

    FIELD-LEVEL PROVENANCE

    4 official sources

    Every compared field traces to an official product source. No model-generated specs, prices or winners.

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