iPhone 12 vs iPhone 16 Plus
Quick answer
The iPhone 16 Plus is 6.3 millimetres0.25 inches wider and 35 grams1.23 ounces heavier than the iPhone 12.
The iPhone 16 Plus on Amazon (paid link) offers dramatically longer battery life and a bigger screen, but it is noticeably heavier and costs more. If you need all-day power and don’t mind the larger frame, the upgrade is worth it; otherwise, the older iPhone 12 (paid link) remains a capable budget pick that still gets full iOS updates.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 12
Pocket: iPhone 12
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 12
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 12: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.4 millimetres, 164 grams. iPhone 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams.
12, 16 Plus shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 12
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 12 146.7 millimetres, 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres.Height: 12 5.78 inches, 16 Plus 6.33 inches.Width: 12 71.5 millimetres, 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres.Width: 12 2.81 inches, 16 Plus 3.06 inches.Depth: 12 7.40 millimetres, 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 12 0.29 inches, 16 Plus 0.31 inches.Weight: 12 164 grams, 16 Plus 199 grams.Weight: 12 5.78 ounces, 16 Plus 7.02 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 | 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 146.7 millimetres5.78 inches | 160.9 millimetres, 14.2 millimetres more6.33 inches, 0.56 inches more |
| Width | 71.5 millimetres2.81 inches | 77.8 millimetres, 6.3 millimetres more3.06 inches, 0.25 inches more |
| Depth | 7.40 millimetres0.29 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.02 inches more |
| Weight | 164 grams5.78 ounces | 199 grams, 35 grams more7.02 ounces, 1.23 ounces more |
| Volume | 77.6 cubic centimetres4.74 cubic inches | 97.6 cubic centimetres, 20.0 cubic centimetres more5.96 cubic inches, 1.22 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 86 percent | 88 percent, 2 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches, 0.6 inches more |
| Resolution | 1170 × 2532 | 1290 × 2796 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Notch | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A14 Bionic | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 17 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 64 – 256 GB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 799 dollars | 899 dollars, 100 dollars more |
| Released | Oct 2020 | Sep 2024 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 16 Plus is 14.2 mm (0.56 in) taller, 6.3 mm (0.25 in) wider, 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thicker and 35 g (1.23 oz) heavier than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.40 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.29 in) and weighs 164 g (5.78 oz). The iPhone 16 Plus measures 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm (6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in) and weighs 199 g (7.02 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 12
Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 16 Plus than the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 16 Plus is 14.2 mm taller and 6.3 mm wider than the iPhone 12. It also weighs 35 g more than the iPhone 12.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7 inch display, which is 0.6 inches larger than the iPhone 12's 6.1 inch screen. Both models have the same pixel density of 460 ppi.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed, the iPhone 12 or iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 12 is easier to use one-handed compared to the iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 Plus is larger and may be harder to reach with one hand.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 16 Plus fit in a typical men's jeans pocket. The iPhone 12 is generally regarded as more pocketable than the iPhone 16 Plus.
Is the weight difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 16 Plus noticeable?
The iPhone 16 Plus weighs 199 g while the iPhone 12 weighs 164 g. The page verdicts state that this weight difference is noticeable.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 16 Plus worth it for size alone?
The page verdicts indicate that an upgrade based only on size depends on your needs. The iPhone 16 Plus offers a bigger battery but a bigger body.