iPhone 11 Pro • Unlocked vs iPhone 12 Pro • Unlocked

The iPhone 11 Pro, released in September 2019, and the iPhone 12 Pro, launched in October 2020, represent two generations of Apple's premium smartphone line. While both offer a sophisticated user experience, the iPhone 12 Pro introduces advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and connectivity, alongside a refreshed design. Both devices operate on Apple's iOS ecosystem, ensuring a consistent software experience, though the newer model benefits from extended software support.

Evaluating the longevity of these devices involves considering their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline & Software Support: The iPhone 11 Pro, released in September 2019, and the iPhone 12 Pro, from October 2020, have different starting points for software updates. The iPhone 12 Pro will receive iOS updates for approximately one year longer than its predecessor, extending its functional lifespan for users who prioritize the latest software features and security patches.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, but the iPhone 12 Pro offers enhanced protection, capable of withstanding submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, compared to the iPhone 11 Pro's 4 meters. The iPhone 12 Pro also introduced a Ceramic Shield front cover, designed to improve drop performance.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, both iPhones are designed with internal components that require specialized tools and expertise for repair. Users considering a refurbished option can benefit from devices that have undergone professional inspection and restoration, ensuring quality and extending their practical lifespan.

The core performance of both devices is driven by Apple's custom-designed processors, impacting everything from app responsiveness to demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 11 Pro is equipped with a powerful processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a fluid user experience. The iPhone 12 Pro features a newer generation processor, which offers improved efficiency and faster processing speeds, particularly noticeable in more intensive applications, advanced photography computations, and augmented reality experiences.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both phones offer capable multitasking, allowing users to switch between apps without significant slowdowns. The iPhone 12 Pro's enhanced processor and increased RAM contribute to a slightly more responsive feel, especially when managing numerous applications simultaneously or engaging in graphically demanding mobile gaming.
• Storage Options: The iPhone 11 Pro was available with storage capacities starting at 64GB, with options for 256GB and 512GB. The iPhone 12 Pro offers a more generous base storage of 128GB, alongside 256GB and 512GB options, providing more space for apps, photos, and videos from the outset.
• Battery Behavior: Both devices are designed to provide a full day of typical use. User experiences suggest that the iPhone 11 Pro generally offers robust battery performance. The iPhone 12 Pro, despite its newer, more efficient processor, may see varied battery life depending on 5G usage, as 5G connectivity can consume more power.

Both iPhones feature high-quality displays, but there are distinctions in size and protective technology.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro utilize Super Retina XDR OLED displays, delivering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast ratios. The pixel density is very similar, ensuring sharp text and detailed images on both models.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: Both displays achieve a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, making them highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions and excellent for HDR content.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The iPhone 11 Pro features a 5.8-inch display, offering a compact form factor. The iPhone 12 Pro has a slightly larger 6.1-inch display, providing a more expansive viewing area without significantly increasing the overall device size.
• Durability: A notable difference is the iPhone 12 Pro's Ceramic Shield front cover, which offers improved drop performance compared to the iPhone 11 Pro's glass. Both screens maintain a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

The camera systems on both Pro models are designed for advanced photography, with the newer model introducing significant enhancements.

• Triple-Lens System: Both the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro feature a versatile triple 12-megapixel camera system, including Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses. This setup allows for a range of photographic perspectives, from expansive landscapes to zoomed-in portraits.
• Low-Light Photography: Both models excel in low-light conditions with Night Mode, which automatically brightens images and reduces noise. The iPhone 12 Pro further enhances low-light performance, particularly on its Wide camera, and extends Night Mode to the Ultra Wide and front-facing cameras.
• Video Recording Capabilities: Both phones record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The iPhone 12 Pro introduces HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, offering a wider dynamic range and more vibrant colors in video content.
• Additional Features: The iPhone 12 Pro includes a LiDAR Scanner, which improves autofocus in low light and enables Night mode portraits. It also features Smart HDR 3 for more intelligent scene recognition, an advancement over the iPhone 11 Pro's Smart HDR.