iPhone 12 Pro • Unlocked vs iPhone 15 Pro • Unlocked

The iPhone 12 Pro, released in October 2020, and the iPhone 15 Pro, launched in September 2023, are both flagship smartphones from Apple. While they share the same operating system, iOS, the three-year gap between their releases brings notable advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and display technology.

Comparing the longevity of these devices involves looking at their release timelines, software support, and physical durability features.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The iPhone 12 Pro, released in October 2020, is expected to receive major iOS updates until approximately late 2025 or 2026, aligning with iOS 18 or 19. The iPhone 15 Pro, launched in September 2023, benefits from a longer support window, likely receiving updates until late 2028 or 2029, potentially up to iOS 22 or 23. This extended software support means the iPhone 15 Pro will remain current with the latest features and security updates for several more years.
• Repairability: The iPhone 12 Pro initially received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit, noting that many components are modular but proprietary screws and increased waterproofing can complicate repairs. The iPhone 15 Pro initially received a lower score of 4 out of 10, but this was later promoted to 7 out of 10 due to software changes that allow for easier calibration of parts from other identical iPhones. This indicates an improved potential for component replacement on the newer model, though Apple's part requirements still influence independent repair.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature a Ceramic Shield front cover for enhanced drop performance and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The iPhone 12 Pro utilizes a stainless steel frame, while the iPhone 15 Pro introduces a titanium frame, which is lighter and contributes to a slightly reduced overall weight.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal processing unit and how efficiently it manages tasks and power.

• Processing Capabilities: The iPhone 12 Pro is powered by a capable processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly. For demanding applications and high-fidelity gaming, it delivers a solid experience, though it may show its age when compared to more recent hardware. The iPhone 15 Pro features a significantly more advanced processor, offering substantial improvements in speed and efficiency. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced performance for graphically intensive games and professional-grade applications.
• Storage Options: The iPhone 12 Pro was available with internal storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The iPhone 15 Pro offers these same capacities, along with an additional 1TB option, providing more space for large files, high-resolution media, and numerous applications.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 12 Pro generally provides all-day battery life for moderate usage. The iPhone 15 Pro, despite its more powerful components, is designed for extended usage, offering comparable or improved battery endurance, especially during demanding tasks, due to its more power-efficient processor and optimized software.

The visual experience on a smartphone is heavily influenced by its display technology and features.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, delivering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The resolution is similar, with the iPhone 12 Pro at 2532x1170 pixels and the iPhone 15 Pro at 2556x1179 pixels, both resulting in a pixel density of approximately 460 pixels per inch, ensuring sharp text and detailed images.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPhone 12 Pro offers a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits. The iPhone 15 Pro significantly enhances this with a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits, a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, and an impressive 2000 nits for outdoor peak brightness, improving visibility in bright sunlight. A key difference is the refresh rate: the iPhone 12 Pro has a standard 60Hz display, while the iPhone 15 Pro incorporates ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations.
• Additional Display Features: The iPhone 15 Pro introduces the Dynamic Island, which replaces the traditional notch and provides an interactive area for alerts and background activities. It also includes an Always-On display feature, which the iPhone 12 Pro does not have.

The camera systems on both devices offer advanced photography and videography capabilities, with the newer model introducing significant enhancements.

• Camera System Configuration: The iPhone 12 Pro features a triple 12-megapixel camera system, including Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses with 2x optical zoom. It also includes a LiDAR scanner to assist with low-light autofocus and enable Night mode portraits. The iPhone 15 Pro elevates this with a more advanced Pro camera system, featuring a 48-megapixel Main sensor that defaults to 24-megapixel photos, a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, and a 12-megapixel Telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The iPhone 12 Pro delivers strong performance in various lighting conditions, with improvements in low-light photography through Night mode. The iPhone 15 Pro offers enhanced detail and improved low-light performance across all its cameras, benefiting from a larger main sensor and advanced computational photography. It also introduces next-generation portrait features with improved Focus and Depth Control, allowing for more creative flexibility after a photo is taken.
• Video Recording Capabilities: Both models support HDR video recording with Dolby Vision. The iPhone 12 Pro can record up to 4K at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 15 Pro expands on this with ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 frames per second with external recording, and Log video recording, providing more control for professional videographers.