iPhone 16 vs iPhone 12
Quick answer
The iPhone 12 is the same size as the iPhone 16, 6 grams0.21 ounces lighter.
The iPhone 16 on Amazon (paid link) and iPhone 12 (paid link) feel nearly identical in the hand, but the newer model holds charge much longer through a busy day. You will feel the speed jump from the A14 to the A18 in daily use, though the 12 remains a solid budget pick at its renewed price. If you need the battery and new features, pay the premium; otherwise the 12 does the job for much less.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: Same
Pocket: Same
Weight difference: Not noticeable
iPhone 16
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (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 16: 147.6 by 71.6 by 7.8 millimetres, 170 grams. iPhone 12: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.4 millimetres, 164 grams.
16, 12 shown at 2.3 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 16
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 16 147.6 millimetres, 12 146.7 millimetres.Height: 16 5.81 inches, 12 5.78 inches.Width: 16 71.6 millimetres, 12 71.5 millimetres.Width: 16 2.82 inches, 12 2.81 inches.Depth: 16 7.80 millimetres, 12 7.40 millimetres.Depth: 16 0.31 inches, 12 0.29 inches.Weight: 16 170 grams, 12 164 grams.Weight: 16 6.00 ounces, 12 5.78 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16 | 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 147.6 millimetres5.81 inches | 146.7 millimetres, 0.9 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.04 inches less |
| Width | 71.6 millimetres2.82 inches | 71.5 millimetres, 0.1 millimetres less2.81 inches, the same |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 7.40 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.02 inches less |
| Weight | 170 grams6.00 ounces | 164 grams, 6 grams less5.78 ounces, 0.21 ounces less |
| Volume | 82.4 cubic centimetres5.03 cubic inches | 77.6 cubic centimetres, 4.8 cubic centimetres less4.74 cubic inches, 0.29 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 87 percent | 86 percent, 1 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches, the same |
| Resolution | 1179 × 2556 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A14 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 22 hrs | 17 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 128 – 512 GB | 64 – 256 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 799 dollars | 799 dollars, the same |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Oct 2020 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone 12 is 0.9 mm (0.04 in) shorter, 0.1 mm narrower, 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thinner and 6 g (0.21 oz) lighter than the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 measures 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.80 mm (5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in) and weighs 170 g (6.00 oz). 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).
Also compared with iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 14
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 18 Pro
Questions about these phones
How much taller is the iPhone 16 than the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 16 is 0.9 millimeters taller than the iPhone 12. Both models have nearly identical widths and depths.
Is the iPhone 16 heavier than the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 16 weighs 6 grams more than the iPhone 12. Most users do not find this weight difference noticeable in daily use.
Do the iPhone 16 and iPhone 12 have the same screen size?
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 12 have a 6.1-inch display. The screen-to-body ratio is slightly higher on the iPhone 16.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed?
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 12 offer the same ease of one-handed use. Their similar dimensions mean neither model is better for small hands.
Do these phones fit in a jeans pocket?
Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but not a typical women's jeans pocket. The pocket fit is the same for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 12.
Is upgrading from iPhone 12 to iPhone 16 worth it for size?
Upgrading for size alone is not worth it since the physical dimensions are nearly the same. The iPhone 16 offers longer battery life compared to the iPhone 12.