Differences between iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro

The iPhone 12 Pro was released in 2020 and was the first model to introduce the new design with flat sides. Other innovations such as MagSafe have also been introduced here. So it is still a very popular model. But the years start counting, and after three years, an increasing number of people will consider switching to a newer model. So in this comparison we take a look at the differences between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. The comparison also applies to the Max models, so whether you have the large or small version: through this article you’ll know exactly what the differences are.

Also read our other comparisons:

This is the 2023 iPhone lineup:

#1 Screen: Improved in several ways

Although both models have the same screen, there are differences in other aspects. iPhone 15 Pro features ProMotion, always on, higher maximum brightness and Dynamic Island. ProMotion ensures faster image refresh (120Hz), making animations smoother and scrolling smoother. The wide notch on the iPhone 12 Pro has given way to a Dynamic Island. Not only is this smaller, it also displays more useful information. Finally, the iPhone 15 Pro’s display has much higher brightness: up to 1,000 nits for standard display (up from 800 nits), up to 1,600 nits for HDR content (up from 1,200 nits) and maximum Brightness of 2000 nits outdoor. The iPhone 12 Pro doesn’t have that much brightness outdoors.

#2 Design: A step up

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro have essentially the same design. This means: a flat back with flat sides. But there are actually some differences, including when it comes to how the device feels in the hand. The iPhone 15 Pro has a matte titanium edge, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a shiny stainless steel edge. In addition, the edges are also finished differently. The corners of the latest iPhone are slightly rounded, making the device more comfortable to hold than the somewhat sharp corners of the iPhone 12 Pro. If you always use case, this difference won’t matter much to you. The iPhone 15 Pro is slightly slimmer than the iPhone 12 Pro, but it’s just as heavy and nearly as tall. The iPhone 15 Pro is a little thicker.

#3 Camera: Apple has made great strides

Regarding the camera, we see big differences between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro in terms of functionality. Although both models consist of three lenses (wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto), the lenses on the iPhone 15 Pro are much better. The main camera has a 48-megapixel lens (which used to be 12-megapixel), which allows you to take much nicer photos. All kinds of advanced technologies like ProRAW, ProRes, HDR 5, Optical Engine, enhanced portraits, photography modes, macro photography, action mode and much more can only be found on iPhone 15 Pro. Every year, Apple focuses on the improved camera with new models, and since the shift from the iPhone 15 Pro to the iPhone 12 Pro immediately jumps forward three years, the improvements are significant. Photos on the iPhone 15 Pro have more detail, are sharper in poor lighting conditions, and you have many more options for different types of photos. The advantage is also that you can zoom optically up to 3x, instead of 2x.

See also

iPhone 15 (Pro) camera: These are the improvements

What are the improvements to the iPhone 15 (Pro) camera? After all the rumors about periscope lenses and 48MP resolution, it’s time to take stock of the official announcements. These are the improvements you’ll find in the iPhone 15 Pro Max and all other models!

Slide 4: They’re both fast, but the iPhone 15 Pro is better

If you now have an iPhone 12 Pro, you probably have nothing to complain about about the chip. All of today’s iPhones are fast, even models from years ago. The improved chip does not necessarily guarantee a faster iPhone in daily use, but above all more options. Some new camera features are made possible by the A17 Pro chip in the new iPhone 15 Pro. This also applies to some graphics applications that are not possible on the A14 chip in the iPhone 12 Pro. If you get the most out of your iPhone, use a lot of heavy apps and want the latest photo features, you’ll appreciate the power of the A17 chip. For all other applications, the result is approximately equal. The newer chip is more power efficient, which in turn has advantages in terms of battery life.

#5 Battery life: huge improvement

Your iPhone 12 Pro battery may not be what it used to be if you’ve been using the model for a number of years. You can install a new battery, but you’ll never reach the battery life of the iPhone 15 Pro. The differences are impressive: you can stream longer videos for up to 9 hours, play longer video clips for up to 6 hours, and play longer audio clips for up to 10 hours. That doesn’t mean these are tasks you do for a long time in a row, but it at least gives an indication of how long the battery life will be. If you sometimes can’t get to the end of the day with the iPhone 12 Pro, you won’t have that problem with the iPhone 15 Pro.

#6 Connectivity: Lightning to USB-C

As is known, the iPhone 15 series has switched from Lightning to USB-C. This means you’ll have to use a different cable to charge your iPhone than you do now, but that won’t be a problem for most people. The iPhone 15’s USB-C port has all kinds of advantages, including faster data transfer. The iPhone 15 Pro supports USB 3 speeds, while the iPhone 12 Pro’s Lightning port only supports USB 2 speeds. Charging is equally fast with both models. However, the USB-C port offers some convenience, especially if you already have other USB-C devices at home.

#7 Action Button: All-new on iPhone 15 Pro

The mute switch found on iPhones has been replaced with the new action button found on the iPhone 15 Pro. You can do a lot with this: open your camera, turn on your flashlight, start recording with the Dictaphone app and much more. With Assignments support, you can do almost anything you want. This offers many more options than the mute switch you’re used to. Great promotion.

#8 Other Features: The iPhone 15 Pro offers more

The iPhone 15 Pro offers some other interesting advantages over the iPhone 12 Pro:

• Fault detection: Automatically call emergency services if you are involved in a car accident.
• SOS emergency notification via satellite: Connect to satellites to share your location with friends or family and access emergency services, even if you don’t have regular coverage.
• WiFi 6E: Latest standards for better WiFi connections.
• Bluetooth 5.3: The latest Bluetooth standards are slightly better than Bluetooth 5.0.
• 2nd generation ultra-wideband chip: This new location chip enables precise iPhone-to-iPhone searching. Also works with the latest version of Apple Watch.
• string: Control your flossing accessories directly from your iPhone, without the need for a home center.
• storage: You can also choose 1TB of storage space, instead of the maximum 512GB.

Conclusion: iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro

The differences between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro are big. So it’s a huge upgrade and worth it in our opinion. You’ll improve in all the areas that matter: whether you want to play games, take beautiful photos, watch videos, or want to be productive with your iPhone. There is hardly any part in which you do not improve. Of course you can decide to use the iPhone 12 Pro for another year (eg with a new battery), but despite the big investment you won’t regret the upgrade.

Discrete iPhone 15 Pro pricing

iPhone 15 Pro Max standalone pricing

Do you want to know everything about the prices of the iPhone 15 series? Or do you want to know what iPhones are in the 2023 lineup? You can read all about it in our separate overviews.

See also

These are the Dutch prices for the iPhone 15 series

Dutch prices for the iPhone 15 series are known. And there is good news: the iPhone 15 series has become cheaper! Read all about the exact pricing for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and other models here.