iPhone 12 vs iPhone 16e
Quick answer
The iPhone 16e is the same size as the iPhone 12, 3 grams0.11 ounces heavier.
The iPhone 16e on Amazon (paid link) fits exactly like the iPhone 12 (paid link) but gives you a full day more of battery life and a chip that keeps up years down the road. You lose MagSafe and get USB-C, so switch if you need endurance and don't miss the magnetic case.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: Same
Pocket: Same
Weight difference: Not noticeable
iPhone 12
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.5 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.3 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 16e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 167 grams.
12, 16e shown at 2.3 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 12
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 12 146.7 millimetres, 16e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 12 5.78 inches, 16e 5.78 inches.Width: 12 71.5 millimetres, 16e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 12 2.81 inches, 16e 2.81 inches.Depth: 12 7.40 millimetres, 16e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 12 0.29 inches, 16e 0.31 inches.Weight: 12 164 grams, 16e 167 grams.Weight: 12 5.78 ounces, 16e 5.89 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 | 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 146.7 millimetres5.78 inches | 146.7 millimetres, the same5.78 inches, the same |
| Width | 71.5 millimetres2.81 inches | 71.5 millimetres, the same2.81 inches, the same |
| Depth | 7.40 millimetres0.29 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.02 inches more |
| Weight | 164 grams5.78 ounces | 167 grams, 3 grams more5.89 ounces, 0.11 ounces more |
| Volume | 77.6 cubic centimetres4.74 cubic inches | 81.8 cubic centimetres, 4.2 cubic centimetres more4.99 cubic inches, 0.26 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 86 percent | 86 percent, the same |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches, the same |
| Resolution | 1170 × 2532 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Notch | Notch |
| 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 | 26 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 | 599 dollars, 200 dollars less |
| Released | Oct 2020 | Feb 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 16e is 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thicker and 3 g (0.11 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 16e measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.80 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 167 g (5.89 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 12
Questions about these phones
How big is the iPhone 16e compared to the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 16e has the same height and width as the iPhone 12. It is 0.4 mm thicker and weighs 3 grams more.
Is the iPhone 16e heavier than the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 16e weighs 167 grams while the iPhone 12 weighs 164 grams. This 3 gram difference is not noticeable in daily use.
Do the iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 have the same screen size?
Both phones have a 6.1 inch display with identical resolution. The screen-to-body ratio is also the same for both models.
Is the iPhone 16e easier to use one-handed than the iPhone 12?
Both phones have the same dimensions so neither is easier to use one-handed. The average adult hand will find the size similar on both devices.
Will the iPhone 16e fit in a jeans pocket like the iPhone 12?
Both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 fit in a typical men's jeans pocket. Neither phone fits in a typical women's jeans pocket according to measured standards.
Is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 16e just for size changes?
The iPhone 16e offers battery and chip gains but has unchanged dimensions. Upgrading for size alone is not worth it since the physical size is nearly identical.