iPhone 12 • Unlocked vs iPhone 8 Plus • Unlocked

The iPhone 12, released in October 2020, and the iPhone 8 Plus, launched in September 2017, represent different eras in Apple's smartphone evolution. While both operate on Apple's iOS ecosystem, the iPhone 12 introduces a more modern design, an advanced display, and enhanced camera capabilities compared to its predecessor.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is often determined by its software support and physical durability. These two models, separated by three years, offer distinct expectations in these areas.

• Software Longevity: The iPhone 8 Plus received major iOS updates up to iOS 16 and continued to receive security updates until March 2026. The iPhone 12, being a newer device, is expected to receive major iOS updates until approximately 2027, with security patches extending for a couple of years beyond that.
• Physical Resilience: The iPhone 8 Plus features a glass front and back with an aluminum frame and is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone 12 significantly enhances durability with its Ceramic Shield front cover, which offers improved drop performance. It also boasts an IP68 rating, allowing submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes.
• Repairability: The iPhone 12 has an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, indicating that while some components are modular, enhanced waterproofing measures can complicate repairs. Older iPhone models like the 8 Plus generally had less complex internal designs, though specific repairability scores for the 8 Plus are not as readily available as for newer models.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer iPhone 12 offering a more capable foundation for demanding tasks and future applications.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 12 features a significantly more advanced processor, enabling smoother operation for complex applications, faster game loading times, and more efficient handling of intensive tasks like video editing. The iPhone 8 Plus, while capable for everyday use, may show signs of slower performance with newer, more demanding apps.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 4GB of RAM, the iPhone 12 provides a more fluid multitasking experience, allowing users to switch between multiple open applications without noticeable slowdowns. The iPhone 8 Plus, equipped with 3GB of RAM, handles typical daily tasks well but may exhibit more frequent app reloads when managing numerous applications simultaneously.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 12 generally offers good battery life, often lasting a full day for many users. The iPhone 8 Plus, despite its larger physical size, also provided commendable battery endurance for its time, with users often reporting a full day of use. Both models support wireless charging and fast wired charging, though the necessary fast charging adapter is often sold separately.

The display technology represents one of the most significant upgrades between these two iPhone generations, impacting visual quality and overall user experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 8 Plus features a 5.5-inch Retina HD LCD display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, offering clear visuals and good color reproduction. The iPhone 12 steps up to a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. Its higher resolution of 2532x1170 pixels results in a sharper image with 460 pixels per inch compared to the 8 Plus's 401 ppi.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: Both devices feature True Tone technology, which adjusts the display's white balance to match ambient lighting for a more natural viewing experience. The iPhone 8 Plus has a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits. The iPhone 12 matches this typical brightness but can reach a peak brightness of 1200 nits when displaying HDR content, offering a more impactful viewing experience for compatible media.
• Screen Size and Interaction: The iPhone 12's 6.1-inch edge-to-edge display provides a larger viewing area in a more compact body than the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus, which retains larger bezels and a physical home button. The iPhone 12 also introduces Haptic Touch, replacing the 3D Touch feature found on the iPhone 8 Plus.

Camera capabilities have seen substantial advancements, with the iPhone 12 offering a more versatile and capable system, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 8 Plus features a dual 12-megapixel camera system with a wide-angle (f/1.8) and a telephoto (f/2.8) lens, offering 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode with Portrait Lighting effects. The iPhone 12 also has a dual 12-megapixel system, but with a wider f/1.6 aperture on its main lens and an ultra-wide (f/2.4) lens. This wider aperture on the main lens allows the iPhone 12 to capture more light, leading to improved low-light performance.
• Photography Features: The iPhone 12 introduces Night Mode across all its cameras, including the ultra-wide and front cameras, significantly enhancing photos taken in dim environments. It also benefits from Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3 for improved detail and dynamic range. The iPhone 8 Plus relies on its optical image stabilization and a brighter main lens for low-light shots, but lacks a dedicated Night Mode.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both phones can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. However, the iPhone 12 adds the ability to record HDR video with Dolby Vision at up to 30 frames per second, offering superior color depth and contrast. The iPhone 8 Plus features redesigned stereo speakers that are 25% louder than its predecessor, providing a good audio experience for media consumption. The iPhone 12 also offers enhanced stereo speakers.