iPhone 12 vs iPhone 14
A single brand, two separate lines: Apple covers this space with both the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 14. The numbers lean one way: the iPhone 14 comes out ahead in 2 of the 5 areas we compared, with its clearest lead in the memory & storage category.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 14 wins
- Camera Tie
- Battery & Charging iPhone 14 wins
- Price Tie
- Display2.1
- Memory & Storage0.4
- Camera0.9
- Battery & Charging1.2
- Display2.1
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera0.9
- Battery & Charging1.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPhone 14 has 3 h more rated video playback
For rated video playback, the iPhone 14 leads by a wide margin: 20 h versus 17 h. Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size.
-
The iPhone 14 has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB
This is a headline difference. With 128 GB to the iPhone 12’s 64 GB, the iPhone 14 has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. The iPhone 14 starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
-
The iPhone 12 has a 0.28 oz lighter build
A narrow win for the iPhone 12. With 5.78 oz to 6.07 oz, it’s the kind of difference that adds up rather than stands out. The iPhone 12 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The iPhone 14 has a bigger top storage option
Put simply, the iPhone 14 is far ahead here: 512 GB compared with 256 GB. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
-
The iPhone 12 has a 0.02 in slimmer body
Close, but not identical: the iPhone 12 lists 0.29 in and the iPhone 14 lists 0.31 in. Thickness sometimes buys battery or camera hardware, so the iPhone 14’s extra depth isn’t necessarily wasted.
Design & Size
- iPhone 12 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.29 in
- iPhone 14 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.31 in
The iPhone 12 and the iPhone 14 take up almost exactly the same space. The iPhone 14 carries an extra 0.28 oz. Thickness goes to the iPhone 12, with an advantage of 0.02 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.78 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.81 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 5.78 oz (winner) | 6.07 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
The differences on display are small enough to ignore in daily use. Don’t let display decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Performance
Too close to call
On paper, the performance comparison ends all square. In short, performance is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 14 leads
In the memory & storage category, the iPhone 14 isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The iPhone 14 stands out with 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years. Bottom line for memory & storage: the iPhone 14 has the edge.
Base storage
iPhone 12: 64 GB iPhone 14: 128 GB Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
Max storage
iPhone 12: 256 GB iPhone 14: 512 GB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the camera section. For camera, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 14 leads
No contest in battery & charging: the iPhone 14 is the stronger of the two. The iPhone 14 has the edge with 3 h more rated video playback. More rated playback suggests the iPhone 14 lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming. Net result: the iPhone 14 leads this part of the comparison.
Rated video playback
iPhone 12: 17 h iPhone 14: 20 h Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
Software & Updates
The software & updates comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the iPhone 12’s and the iPhone 14’s entries.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2532 x 1170 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 1,200 nits |
| Always-on display | No | No |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 64 GB | 128 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 256 GB | 512 GB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 17 h | 20 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | Lightning | Lightning |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 14 | iOS 16 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.78 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.81 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 5.78 oz (winner) | 6.07 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
With matching launch prices, you’re choosing purely on what each one offers.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2022; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 12 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.78 oz vs 6.07 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.29 in vs 0.31 in)
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the iPhone 14 if…
- you want the longer rated endurance (20 h vs 17 h)
- you shoot a lot of photos and video (128 GB vs 64 GB base storage)
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (512 GB vs 256 GB top option)
- you’re buying fresh and prefer the more recent model
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 14?
The iPhone 14 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d trade the rest for a 0.28 oz lighter build.
Should I upgrade from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 14?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the iPhone 14 offers 3 h more rated video playback, 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB and a bigger top storage option compared with the iPhone 12.
Does the iPhone 12 last longer on a charge than the iPhone 14?
The iPhone 14 does better here. It lists 20 h for rated video playback, while the iPhone 12 lists 17 h.
Which is larger, the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 14?
Neither by much. The iPhone 12 and the iPhone 14 have nearly identical dimensions.
Is the iPhone 12 lighter than the iPhone 14?
The iPhone 12 is lighter, by 0.28 oz.
Which has more storage, the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 14?
Going by the spec sheets, the iPhone 14 has the larger figure: 128 GB, against 64 GB.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 12 and the iPhone 14 share a family name, so let me focus on what doesn’t match. The iPhone 14 earns my vote first and foremost with 3 h more rated video playback. The iPhone 14 also scores with 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. Don’t write off the iPhone 12 entirely: it has a 0.28 oz lighter build.
The way I see it, people who prioritize portability will be happier with the iPhone 12, and those who prioritize memory & storage with the iPhone 14.
My pick: the iPhone 14 is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if you specifically want a 0.28 oz lighter build, where the iPhone 12 has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.