iPhone 16 Pro vs 12 Pro: Full comparison

This detailed full comparison covers iPhone 16 Pro vs 12 Pro when it comes to specs, features, performance, price, and more.

​This detailed full comparison covers iPhone 16 Pro vs 12 Pro when it comes to specs, features, performance, price, and more.  Read More Technology

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are Apple’s newest and most powerful smartphones. So how much have they improved since 2020? Here’s our full comparison of iPhone 16 Pro vs 12 Pro for everything new and a buyer’s guide.

For various other iPhone face-offs check out these guides, otherwise, read on 😁:

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have larger 6.3 and 6.9-inch displays compared to the 6.1 and 6.7-inch screens on the 12 Pro and Pro Max.

Screen brightness is higher for typical, HDR content, and outdoor use with the 16 Pro/Max and you also get the Dynamic Island, always-on display, and ProMotion (up to 120Hz refresh rates).

For those counting pixels, you get 199,692 more with the 16 Pro over the 12 Pro and 218,808 more pixels with the 16 Pro Max compared to the 12 Pro Max.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxSize6.3 inches6.1 inches6.9 inches6.7 inchesResolution2622 x 1206 pixels2532 x 1170 pixels2868 x 1320 pixels2778 x 1284 pixelsPPI460 ppi460 ppi460 ppi458 ppiSuper Retina XDR OLED✅✅✅✅Dynamic Island✅❌✅❌ProMotion – adaptive refresh up to 120Hz✅❌✅❌Always-On display✅❌✅❌Typical brightness1000 nits max800 nits max1000 nits max800 nits maxHDR brightness1600 nits max1200 nits max1600 nits max1200 nits maxOutdoor brightness2000 nits max–2000 nits max–True Tone✅✅✅✅Haptic Touch✅✅✅✅Wide color (P3)✅✅✅✅

The design of the iPhone 16 Pro remains almost the same as its predecessors (outside of size), but Apple has included a new physical Camera Control button/sensor.

Apple is using titanium for the 16 Pro and Pro Max like the 15 Pro and Pro Max.

For those coming from a 12 Pro – titanium will be an upgrade (lighter and stronger than steel).

To fit the larger displays, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are slightly larger than iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max but thanks to the titanium builds, they weigh nearly the same.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxHeight5.89-inches (149.6 mm)5.78 inches (146.7 mm6.42-inches (163 mm)6.33 inches (160.8 mm)Width2.81-inches (71.5 mm)2.82 inches (71.5 mm)3.06-inches (77.6 mm)3.07 inches (78.1 mm)Thickness0.32-inches(8.25 mm)0.29 inch (7.4 mm)0.32-inches(8.25 mm)0.29 inch (7.4 mm)Weight7.03-ounces(199 grams)6.66 ounces (189 grams)7.99-ounces(227 grams)8.03 ounces (228 grams)DurabilityIP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutesIP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutesIP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutesIP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutesCeramic Shield front✅✅✅✅Back materialTextured matte glassTextured matte glassTextured matte glassTextured matte glassFrame/edgesGrade 5 titaniumStainless steelGrade 5 titaniumStainless steel

A18 Pro is the next-generation chip for Apple’s high-end smartphones. It’s more powerful and capable, but whether that’s important for you will depend on what you’re doing with your phone.

iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max don’t get Apple Intelligence support with the older A14 chip. And iPhone 16 Pro/Max also has 2GB more RAM than 12 Pro/Max.

iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxSoCA18 ProA14 BionicA18 ProA14 BionicCPU6-core: 2 performance + 4 efficiency6-core: 2 performance + 4 efficiency6-core: 2 performance + 4 efficiency6-core: 2 performance + 4 efficiencyGPU6-core5-core6-core5-coreNeural Engine16-core16-core16-core16-coreRAM8GB6GB8GB6GBApple Intelligence support✅❌✅❌

The A18 Pro is powerful enough for anyone. But here are some stats from Apple:

A18 Pro CPU is up to 15% faster than A17 Pro
A18 Pro GPU is up to 20% faster than A17 Pro
A18 Pro CPU uses up to 20% less power than A17 Pro
2x faster ray tracing than A17 Pro

And the A18 Pro CPU is up to ~50% faster than A14 Bionic in Geekbench scores for single-core performance and about 60% faster for multi-core performance.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxSingle-core score CPU~3200~2100~3200~2100Multi-core score CPU~7800~4900~7800~4900

There’s also a much more powerful GPU with the A18 Pro chip and features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing for better gaming performance.

For battery life, the iPhone 16 Pro has received a big improvement over the iPhone 12 Pro. This may be reason enough for some to upgrade.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxVideo playbackUp to 27 hoursUp to 17 hoursUp to 33 hoursUp to 20 hoursAudio playbackUp to 85 hoursUp to 65 hoursUp to 105 hoursUp to 80 hours

For how that compares to iPhone 15, 14, and 13, check out this post on iPhone 16 battery life:

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max devices have new 48MP main rear cameras. And there’s a new 48MP ultra wide lens, 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, the all-new Camera Control button/sensor, and the latest-gen Photographic Styles.

That’s a serious jump up from the 12MP main lens and the rest of the 12 Pro/Max camera system.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxCamera Control✅❌✅❌Main lens48MP, ƒ/1.78 aperture12MP, ƒ/1.6 aperture48MP, ƒ/1.78 aperture12MP, ƒ/1.6 apertureMain lens sensor2.44 µm quad pixel1.4 µm pixels2.44 µm quad pixel1.4 µm pixelsMain lens focal length24 mm26 mm24 mm26 mmUltra Wide lens48MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture12MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture48MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture12MP, ƒ/2.4 apertureTelephoto lens12MP, ƒ/2.8 aperture (up to 5x zoom)12MP, ƒ/2.0 aperture (up to 2x zoom)12MP, ƒ/2.8 aperture (up to 5x zoom)12MP, ƒ/2.0 aperture (up to 2.5x zoom)Stabilization2nd gen Sensor-shift optical image stabilizationSensor-shift optical image stabilization2nd gen Sensor-shift optical image stabilizationSensor-shift optical image stabilizationOptical zoom0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5×0.5x, 1x, 2×0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5×0.5x, 1x, 2.5xDigital zoomUp to 25xUp to 10xUp to 25xUp to 12xFlashAdaptive True Tone FlashTrue Tone Flash with Slow SyncAdaptive True Tone FlashTrue Tone Flash with Slow SyncPhotonic Engine✅❌✅❌Deep Fusion✅✅✅✅Smart HDR 3–✅–✅Smart HDR 5✅❌✅❌Next-gen portraits with Focus and Depth Control✅❌✅❌Portrait Lighting with six effects✅✅✅✅Night mode✅✅✅✅Night mode portraits✅✅✅✅Latest-gen Photographic Styles✅❌✅❌Spatial photos✅❌✅❌Macro photography✅❌✅❌Apple ProRAW✅✅✅✅

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max step up video recording with 4K Dolby Vision/HDR video recording at up to 120 fps.

You can also record at up to 120 fps for 1080p and ProRes recordings with 16 Pro/Max. Other new features are wind noise reduction and Audio Mix.

And compared to 12 Pro/Max, the 16 Pro/Max deliver ProRes, Action mode, Cinematic mode, ACES, macro video, spatial video, and log recording.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro Max4K Dolby Vision/HDR recording✅ – at 24, 25, 30, 60, 100, or 120 fps✅ – at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps✅ – at 24, 25, 30, 60, 100, or 120 fps✅ – at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps1080p recording✅ – at 25, 30, 60, or 120 fps✅ – at 25, 30, or 60 fps✅ – at 25, 30, 60, or 120 fps✅ – at 25, 30, or 60 fpsCinematic mode✅ – up to 4K HDR at 30 fps❌✅ – up to 4K HDR at 30 fps❌Action mode✅ – up to 2.8K at 60 fps❌✅ – up to 2.8K at 60 fps❌ProRes recording✅ – up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording❌✅ – up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording❌Log video recording✅❌✅❌Academy Color Encoding System✅❌✅❌Macro video recording✅❌✅❌Spatial video recording✅ – at 1080p at 30 fps❌✅ – at 1080p at 30 fps❌Slo-mo recording✅ – 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps✅ – 1080p up to 240 fps✅ – 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps✅ – 1080p up to 240 fpsTime-lapse with stabilization✅✅✅✅Night mode Time-lapse✅✅✅✅QuickTake video✅ – up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision✅✅ – up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision✅Stabilization2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video3D sensor‑shift optical image stabilization and autofocus for video (Telephoto)Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video (Wide)Optical image stabilization for video (Wide)2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video3D sensor‑shift optical image stabilization and autofocus for video (Telephoto)Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video (Wide)Optical image stabilization for video (Wide)Cinematic video stabilization✅ – for 4K, 1080p, and 720p✅ – for 4K, 1080p, and 720p✅ – for 4K, 1080p, and 720p✅ – for 4K, 1080p, and 720pAudio zoom✅✅✅✅Stereo recording✅✅✅✅4 studio quality mics✅❌✅❌True tone flash✅✅✅✅Wind noise reduction✅❌✅❌Audio Mix✅❌✅❌Continuous autofocus video✅✅✅✅Playback zoom✅✅✅✅

Apple’s TrueDepth front camera is upgraded on iPhone 16 Pro/Max vs 12 Pro/Max with the latest-gen Photographic Styles, Smart HDR 5 for photos, ProRAW, log video recording, and more.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxTrueDepth front camera12MP, ƒ/1.9 aperture12MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture12MP, ƒ/1.9 aperture12MP, ƒ/2.2 apertureAutofocus with Focus Pixels✅❌✅❌Retina Flash✅✅✅✅Photonic Engine✅❌✅❌Deep Fusion✅✅✅✅Smart HDR 3 for photos–✅–✅Smart HDR 5 for photos✅❌✅❌Next-gen portraits with Focus and Depth Control✅❌✅❌Portrait Lighting with six effects✅✅✅✅Animoji and Memoji✅✅✅✅Night mode✅✅✅✅Night mode time-lapse✅✅✅✅Latest-gen Photographic Styles✅❌✅❌Lens correction✅✅✅✅Auto image stabilization✅✅✅✅Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos✅✅✅✅4K Dolby Vision/HDR recording✅ – at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps✅ – at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps (only up to 30 fps for HDR/Dolby)✅ – at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps✅ – at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps (only up to 30 fps for HDR/Dolby)1080p Dolby Vision recording✅ – at 25, 30, or 60 fps✅ – at 25, 30, or 60 fps✅ – at 25, 30, or 60 fps✅ – at 25, 30, or 60 fpsCinematic mode✅ – up to 4K HDR at 30 fps❌✅ – up to 4K HDR at 30 fps❌Apple ProRAW✅❌✅❌ProRes recording✅ – up to 4K HDR at 60 fps with external recording❌✅ – up to 4K HDR at 60 fps with external recording❌Log video recording✅❌✅❌Slo-mo recording✅ – 1080p at 120 fps✅ – 1080p at 120 fps✅ – 1080p at 120 fps✅ – 1080p at 120 fpsQuickTake video✅ – up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision✅✅ – up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision✅Cinematic video stabilization✅ – for 4K, 1080p, 720p✅ – for 4K, 1080p, 720p✅ – for 4K, 1080p, 720p✅ – for 4K, 1080p, 720pSpatial Audio and stereo recording✅❌✅❌

Compared to the iPhone 12 Pro/Max, 16 Pro/Max have a USB-C port instead of Lightning with up to 10 Gbps transfer speeds and new capabilities like shooting video and photos directly to external storage.

The other big I/O update is the new Camera Control, but there are some other upgrades like WiFi 7 support, MagSafe supporting up to 25W or wireless power, and more.

iPhone 16 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 12 Pro MaxUSB-C✅ – USB 3 up to 10Gbps❌✅ – USB 3 up to 10Gbps❌Lightning–✅ – Up to 480Mbps–✅ – Up to 480MbpsWiFi7676Bluetooth5.35.05.35.0UWB✅ – Gen 2✅ – Gen 1✅ – Gen 2✅ – Gen 1NFC with reader mode✅✅✅✅Thread✅❌✅❌CellularGSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, DC-HSDPAGSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, DC-HSDPAGSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, DC-HSDPAGSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, DC-HSDPA5GSub‑6 GHz and mmWave with 4×4 MIMOSub‑6 GHz and mmWave with 4×4 MIMOSub‑6 GHz and mmWave with 4×4 MIMOSub‑6 GHz and mmWave with 4×4 MIMO4GGigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO and LAAGigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO and LAAGigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO and LAAGigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO and LAAGPSPrecision dual-frequency GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, and NavIC)Precision dual-frequency GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou)Precision dual-frequency GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, and NavIC)Precision dual-frequency GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou)Audio playbackSpatial audio/Dolby AtmosSpatial audio/Dolby AtmosSpatial audio/Dolby AtmosSpatial audio/Dolby AtmosVideo playbackHDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLGHDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLGHDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLGHDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLGSIMDual eSIM in USeSIM and nanoSIMDual eSIM in USeSIM and nanoSIMMagSafe✅ with 25W charging✅ with 15W charging✅ with 25W charging✅ with 15W chargingQi and Qi2✅Qi, but no Qi2✅Qi, but no Qi2

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are available in:

Black titanium
White titanium
Natural titanium
Desert titanium

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max come in:

128GB – $999 (only 16 Pro available in 128GB)
256GB – $1,099 / $1,199
512GB – $1,299 / $1,399
1TB – $1,499 / $1,599

All of the iPhone 16 devices just come with the iPhone and a USB-C cable in the box.

If you need a power adapter, go with at least a 20W so you get fast charging for your iPhone. Good options include:

Anker 20W Nano Pro (super compact)
Nomad 20W power adapter (black finish and compact)
Apple’s official 20W adapter

All of the recent iPhones are very powerful and capable devices, but which is best for you (or whether it’s time to upgrade) will come down to how you want to use your iPhone and what features you value most.

Keep in mind both iPhone 16 and 16 Pro feature Apple Intelligence support and have the new Camera Control button/sensor.

Reasons to buy iPhone 16 Pro/Max

Larger, higher-res display with ProMotion, Dynamic Island, and always-on
Most powerful and capable cameras for both photos and video
Titanium build with very slim bezels
USB-C with 10Gbps speeds, WiFi 7 support
Fastest and most powerful chip
Best battery life in an iPhone

Reasons to buy iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or keep what you have

If the features above aren’t a big deal for you, save your money and grab the iPhone 16 which includes most of the other new features this year or keep your older iPhone 😁
You could also consider grabbing an iPhone 15 Pro if you’d like Apple Intelligence support but don’t want/need the latest 16/16 Pro features

You can buy iPhone 16 and 16 Pro from Apple, your carrier, and more.

What are you thinking? Upgrade? Keep your current iPhone? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks for reading our guide on iPhone 16 Pro vs 12 Pro!