iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11: what are the differences between these two models?

Unveiled at the end of 2020, the iPhone 12 is Apple's new high-end phone. Few contradict its success with the general public, fueled moreover by floods of rumors lasting for many months before the day of the keynote when all the details of the device were officially revealed. Still, you're probably wondering if the iPhone 11 is a good option in comparison, with itstechnical sheet ultimately not so different.

Indeed, most of the features of the iPhone 11 are also found in the iPhone 12, and it is the same for the components, because they more or less come from the same Asian subcontracting chain. Follow the guide to find out which one you like the most: here we go for our traditional comparison.

The iPhone 11, always correct in photos

This time, we have chosen to start by talking to you about the photophone qualities of our two friends. Let's start with selfies.The iPhone 11 features a twelve-megapixel front lens with f/2.2 aperture, size: twenty-three millimeters. It can capture portraits with bokeh effect and record stabilized videos in 4K. Slow motion, with this definition, reaches 60 frames per second. On this side, few notable differences with the iPhone 12 in our comparison, since its front camera is entitled to a definition of 12 megapixels for an f/2.2 aperture, the famous “Portrait mode” to immortalize faces by blurring the background which is also included. But the most recent model can record HDR in Dolby Vision at up to 30fps, in addition to being able to take advantage of Night and Deep Fusion modes.

Now let's compare iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 based on the cameras installed on the back of each device. Because yes, there are several, and more precisely we can count on two slightly different lenses. Thus, where one acts asgrand-angle, the second does even better: Appleuses the term “ultra” wide-angle. You can understand this by the numbers: on the iPhone 12, the first displays an aperture of f/1.8, the second f/2.4. You will therefore have no trouble framing a complete scene, outdoors or indoors. Besides,even at night, the results should be there using a flash subdivided into four relatively powerful light-emitting diodes. Let's finish in prstating that here too, the4K videosare in the game.

The iPhone 11, meanwhile, offers the same sensors with the same 12-megapixel resolution. The same technologies are there, the only difference is to be found in the Smart HDR mode, slightly better on iPhone 12 compared to the 11 model.

Conclusion (comparison iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11 inphoto): a little advance for the iPhone 12

We arrive at THE major difference in our iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11 comparison: their screen. Indeed, while on the iPhone 11 Apple still chose the technologyIPS LCD, the company has since simply stopped the production of these tiles (except forthe second generation iPhone SE), as a resultthe iPhone 12 is this time on an OLED screen. This uses its own light without requiring lighting, with advantages both in terms of energy consumption andcomfortvisual.

Note that both screens are the same size: 6.1 inches diagonal. The definition, for its part, is 2,532 x 1,170 pixels for the iPhone 12, while the iPhone 11 is entitled to 1,792 x 828 px.The number of pixels per inch is 460 for the iPhone 12, 326 for the iPhone 11. Finally, there is also a difference in terms of solidity in our comparison: the iPhone 11 is protected by a coatingGorilla Glassold generation while the iPhone 12 is entitled toFood, the newest and most robust model. But don't forget to take a protective case with you, you never know (the back is also made of glass).

Conclusion (comparison iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11screen): another good point for the iPhone 12 with OLED

Who has the best autonomy?

The iPhone 11 and the iPhone 12 have, roughly speaking, thesame endurance. On paper, however, Apple guaranteesfive o'clockbattery life in video playback for the iPhone 11, which is already an excellent score. We could even listen to the music for almost three days in a row. Figures to be considered with caution, since they are technical only: the evaluation you make of them will in fact depend on your use; and will not be the same if it is intensive or if you are the low-connected type. However, having tested the iPhone 11 in the editorial office, we confirm that theirautonomy is good: there is nothing to say about this for our comparison.

The iPhone 12, for its part, would have a less supplied battery according to those who took it apart, with almost300 mAh differenceunder the hood (2,815 for the 12, 3,110 for the 11). But, according to the manufacturer, the autonomy is just as good for the new model compared to the old one. Which can be explained by two simple reasons, the processorless energy consumingand OLED which consumes less than LCD.

Conclusion (comparison iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11battery): no serious differences

The iPhone 12 performs better

As one might expect, Apple has pulled out all the stops in its iPhone 12. Indeed, this device is entitled tobrand new proprietary Apple A14 Bionic processor, subcontracted by TSMC in Taiwan, which this time is engraved with an incredible precision of only five nanometers. He has the chance to be20% fasterthan the Apple A13 Bionic found in the iPhone 11, which is not negligible if you, for example, plan to spend the afternoon playing onApple Arcade(cloud gaming platform billed at 4.99 euros per month).

As for RAM, we find4 GB of RAM in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. No difference to note here, neither on paper, nor even in practice. In addition, 4 GB is more than enough for the majority of users. Indeed, Apple is fortunate to be able to design both the CPU and the software (iOS 14), and thus takes advantage of this to optimize them according to each other, which guarantees smooth results.

In any case, the benchmarks give the iPhone 12 the winner each time, particularly because its chip hassix cores compared to only four on the Apple A13of the iPhone 11, which is already widening the gap between the two. The GPU is also better, because it is more recent. Finally, let's take a quick look at the available storage. The iPhone 11 is entitled to three versions of internal memory: 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB. The iPhone 12 does the same at this level. Finally, the iPhone 12 is5Gwhile the iPhone 11 is 4G.

Conclusion (comparison iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 inperformances): the iPhone 12 wins hands down: better processor, better graphics and 5G

Two different designs

Another difference in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 comparison that is obvious when you look at the two smartphones is their appearance. Indeed,the iPhone 11 adopts a more rounded design than the iPhone 12, the latter taking up the codes established with the third generation iPad Pro andtaken up in the fourth. Inspired in fact by the iPhone 4, these give pride of place to right angles on the edges of the iPhone 12, a bit like on a MacBook Pro. The result is an appearance that seems more polished, and does not lack class.

Despite everything, we findstill the notchat the top of the iPhone 12 screen while many customers hoped that it would disappear - or at least that its width would be minimized - after the iPhone 11. For the rest of the format, the differences will be especially noticeable by comparing the dimensions:126.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm for the iPhone 12 versus 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm for the iPhone 11. The iPhone 12 is therefore slightly more compact.

Let's finish with the colors: the iPhone 11 is sold in yellow, purple, green, black, white or red, while the iPhone 12 offers blue, green, red, white and black. No more yellow for the iPhone 12.

Conclusion (comparison iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 in terms ofdesign): equality, each to their own!

Logiciel : iOS 13 vs iOS 14

You understood: iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 have the same software, iOS. Only where the iPhone 11 comes with an edition that is a year old now, the iPhone 12 includes iOS 14 as standard. And this edition is much more interesting on all counts. The functionalities already, with for example the arrival of picture-in-picture (Apple talks aboutPicture in picture), the Smart Stack smart widget or car key scanning in the Apple Wallet app. Thereconfidentiality, also: notifications when an app reads your clipboard, deactivation of tracking, possibility of hiding your exact geolocation by replacing it with an approximation.

Fortunately, the iPhone 11 is also eligible for the update to iOS 14. But Apple only continues to roll out updates to its smartphones for a certain period of time - around five years to be precise - which means that potentially,your iPhone 11 may no longer be supported soonerthan if you had opted for an iPhone 12 after reading our comparison. Which is not without risk: bugs, slowdowns, or even worse: security breaches and leaks of personal data.

Conclusion (comparison iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12software): iOS will be supported longer with iPhone 12

Price comparison:iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11

The end of thiscomparativeiPhone 11 vs iPhone 12approach. We cannot leave you without comparing the prices of the different models: there are currently several depending on the storage or the desired color:

• 909 euros for the iPhone 12 with 64 GB of internal storage
• 959 euros for the iPhone 12 with 128 GB of internal storage
• 1,079 euros for the iPhone 12 with 256 GB of internal storage

The iPhone 11 is a little cheaper:

• 689 euros for the iPhone 11 with 64 GB of internal storage
• 739 euros for the iPhone 11 with 128 GB of internal storage
• 859 euros for the iPhone 12 with 256 GB of internal storage

To conclude, we can therefore say that the iPhone 11 remains a very efficient and interesting high-end phone for those who want to equip themselves with a historic Apple device without breaking the bank.Released in 2019, this smartphone is still very efficientboth on the component side and on the software side.

The iPhone 12, on the other hand, is betterin every way: its battery is more efficient, its processor is more powerful, its screen is more energy efficient and its camera also produces improved photos and videos. But in the end,our choice will still be the iPhone 11, because the iPhone 12 does not offer any significant new features compared to the previous edition. It is much cheaper, up to 220 euros less for the model with the smallest storage capacity. In addition, if you absolutely want to have the latest technology on iPhone, there are other better-rated models: the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.