iPhone 12 Pro • Unlocked vs iPhone 15 • Unlocked

The iPhone 12 Pro, released in October 2020, and the iPhone 15, launched in September 2023, represent different generations within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on Apple's iOS platform, the three-year gap introduces notable advancements in the newer model, particularly concerning internal performance, camera capabilities, and user interface elements. This comparison will focus on the practical differences that influence daily usage and overall device experience.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and repairability.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 12 Pro, launched in October 2020, is an older device compared to the iPhone 15, which was released in September 2023. This age difference directly impacts the remaining period of official software support. [1, 2]
• Software Longevity: The iPhone 12 Pro, originally running iOS 14, has received updates up to iOS 26.1 as of November 2025. The iPhone 15, launched with iOS 17, is compatible with iOS 26 and is expected to receive major iOS updates for several more years than its predecessor. [1, 11]
• Repairability: The iPhone 12 Pro received a repairability score of 6 out of 10, indicating that many components are modular but proprietary screws and waterproofing measures can complicate repairs. The iPhone 15 initially had a lower score but has since been promoted to a 7 out of 10, suggesting improved ease of repair for certain components. [10, 14, 28, 29, 30, 39]

Performance differences between these two models stem primarily from their respective internal components, affecting speed, efficiency, and battery endurance.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 15 features a more advanced and efficient processor compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive experience, especially with demanding applications and games. [5, 9, 20, 21]
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15 generally offers improved battery life for typical use cases, benefiting from a larger battery capacity (3349 mAh vs. 2815 mAh) and the enhanced efficiency of its newer processor. Users of the iPhone 15 can expect longer periods between charges compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. [13, 20, 24, 27, 37]
• Storage Options: Both devices offer a range of internal storage capacities, typically including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. [2, 5, 7, 9]

Both devices feature high-quality displays, but the newer iPhone 15 introduces enhancements in brightness and design.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 15 utilize Super Retina XDR OLED displays, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. They share a similar pixel density of approximately 460 pixels per inch (ppi) and comparable resolutions, ensuring sharp and clear visuals. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 17, 21, 27]
• Brightness Levels: The iPhone 15 offers significantly higher peak brightness, reaching up to 2000 nits for outdoor use and 1600 nits for HDR content, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro's 1200 nits peak HDR brightness. This results in better visibility in bright sunlight and a more impactful HDR viewing experience on the iPhone 15. [1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 21, 22, 27, 31, 36]
• Design and Refresh Rate: Both models feature a 6.1-inch screen size and a standard 60Hz refresh rate. A key design difference is the iPhone 15's adoption of the Dynamic Island, which replaces the traditional notch found on the iPhone 12 Pro, integrating alerts and activities into an interactive area at the top of the display. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 15, 19, 21, 24, 27, 31, 36]

The camera systems on both iPhones are capable, but the iPhone 15 benefits from significant generational improvements in sensor technology and computational photography.

• Main Camera System: The iPhone 12 Pro features a triple 12MP camera system, including Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses, along with a LiDAR scanner for enhanced depth sensing. The iPhone 15 boasts an advanced dual-camera system with a 48MP Main camera that defaults to 24MP photos, a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, and a 2x telephoto option achieved through the main sensor. [2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 35, 36, 38]
• Photography Performance: The iPhone 15 offers improved low-light performance, better detail capture, and more accurate colors due to its larger sensor, Photonic Engine, and Smart HDR 5. The iPhone 12 Pro also features Night mode and Deep Fusion for low-light scenarios. [5, 8, 9, 20, 23, 32]
• Video Capabilities: Both devices support 4K Dolby Vision HDR video recording. The iPhone 15 further enhances video with Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 frames per second, offering more creative control over depth of field in videos. [2, 5, 8, 9, 27, 36]