As we navigate through 2024, consumers are often faced with the choice between the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro. According to our price tracking data, the iPhone 12 Pro is priced at a $300+ level, while the iPhone 11 Pro is available for around $200+. With a price difference of slightly more than $100, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of each model to determine which one offers the best value in 2024. While both models are excellent, I would recommend the iPhone 12 Pro due to the better overall performance, which justifies the additional cost.
Overview of iPhone 11 Pro
The iPhone 11 Pro, released in September 2019, was a significant step forward for Apple, introducing a triple-camera system, improved battery life, and the powerful A13 Bionic chip. The 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display offers stunning visuals, with deep blacks and vibrant colors, making it ideal for media consumption and photography. The iPhone 11 Pro is also known for its durability, with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and a tougher glass front and back.
One of the key strengths of the iPhone 11 Pro is its camera system, which includes wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. This setup allows for versatile photography, from sweeping landscapes to detailed close-ups. Additionally, the A13 Bionic chip, while slightly older, is still highly capable, ensuring smooth performance for most tasks.
Overview of iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro, released in October 2020, brought several upgrades over the iPhone 11 Pro, including 5G connectivity, a more refined design with flat edges, and the A14 Bionic chip, which is faster and more efficient than its predecessor. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is slightly larger than the 11 Pro’s display, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
The camera system on the iPhone 12 Pro is also enhanced, with improved Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 3. Additionally, the iPhone 12 Pro introduces LiDAR technology, which improves autofocus in low light and enables more immersive AR experiences. The A14 Bionic chip, coupled with 5G capabilities, ensures that the iPhone 12 Pro is better equipped for future technologies and applications.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 12 Pro |
| Release Date |
September 2019 |
October 2020 |
| Display |
5.8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2436 x 1125 |
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532 x 1170 |
| Processor |
A13 Bionic chip |
A14 Bionic chip |
| RAM |
4GB |
6GB |
| Storage Options |
64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear Cameras |
Triple 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto) |
Triple 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto) + LiDAR |
| Front Camera |
12MP TrueDepth camera |
12MP TrueDepth camera |
| Battery Capacity |
3046 mAh |
2815 mAh |
| Operating System |
iOS 13 (upgradable to the latest iOS version) |
iOS 14 (upgradable to the latest iOS version) |
| Dimensions |
144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm |
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm |
| Weight |
188 grams |
189 grams |
| Water/Dust Resistance |
IP68 (up to 4 meters for 30 minutes) |
IP68 (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes) |
| Colors |
Midnight Green, Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue |
Performance and Hardware
The iPhone 12 Pro is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which offers better performance and efficiency than the A13 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 11 Pro. This makes the iPhone 12 Pro better suited for handling more demanding tasks, such as gaming, multitasking, and running resource-intensive apps. The 12 Pro also benefits from 6GB of RAM compared to the 4GB in the 11 Pro, allowing for better multitasking and smoother performance in memory-intensive applications.
The iPhone 12 Pro also supports 5G connectivity, which provides faster internet speeds and improved performance in areas with 5G coverage. This makes the iPhone 12 Pro more future-proof, especially as 5G networks continue to expand.
Camera Capabilities
Both the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro feature a triple-camera system, but the 12 Pro introduces several enhancements. The LiDAR scanner on the iPhone 12 Pro significantly improves autofocus in low-light conditions and enhances AR experiences. The 12 Pro also features Night Mode on all three rear cameras and the front camera, while the 11 Pro only supports Night Mode on the wide camera.
Additionally, the iPhone 12 Pro benefits from improved computational photography features, such as Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3, which enhance image quality by capturing more detail and improving dynamic range. The iPhone 12 Pro also supports Apple ProRAW, a feature that allows for greater control over image editing, making it a better choice for photography enthusiasts.
Battery Life
While the iPhone 11 Pro has a slightly larger battery capacity (3046 mAh) compared to the iPhone 12 Pro (2815 mAh), the difference in battery life is minimal due to the improved efficiency of the A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 Pro. Both phones can last through a full day of moderate use, but the 11 Pro might have a slight edge in battery endurance.
Price and Value
As of 2024, the iPhone 12 Pro is priced at a $300+ level, while the iPhone 11 Pro is available for around $200+, with a price difference of slightly more than $100. While the iPhone 11 Pro offers great value, the iPhone 12 Pro’s superior performance, enhanced camera features, and 5G connectivity make it the better option if your budget allows.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro are excellent choices in 2024, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better option for those looking for a more future-proof device with enhanced performance and features. The $100+ price difference is justified by the iPhone 12 Pro’s better processor, improved camera capabilities, and support for 5G. However, if you’re looking to save money and still want a powerful device, the iPhone 11 Pro remains a solid choice.
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