iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 12: Time to upgrade yet?

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 10 September 2024

Contents

In this iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16 guide:

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Price
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Camera
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Connectivity
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Design
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Display
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Performance
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Battery
Should you upgrade to iPhone 16?

The iPhone 12 is nearly four years old, so you're forgiven if it's starting to lose some of the spark it had when you first unboxed it.

Apple has just announced the iPhone 16. The imminent launch of a brand-new iPhone is always a good time to reassess whether or not it's time to upgrade.

Here's a quick rundown on how the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 16 compare in terms of specs.

Note: This comparison is for the base models.

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16

	iPhone 12	iPhone 16
Display	6.1-inch LCD	6.1-inch OLED
Resolution	Liquid Retina HD with 60Hz	Super Retina XDR with 60Hz
Rear Cameras	2x 12MP	48MP + 12MP
Front Camera	12MP	12MP
Processor	A14	A18
Storage	64GB - 256GB	128GB - 512GB
Water resistance	IP68 - Up to 2m depth	IP68 - Up to 6m depth
Connectivity	Sub 6 5G	Sub 6 5G
Battery	Up to 17 hours video playback	Up to 22 hours video playback
Charging Port	Lightning	USB-C
Action button	No	Yes
Camera control	No	Yes
Price	No longer available	From $1,399

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Price

If you've come here you're probably considering whether you want to upgrade from your old iPhone 12 to a brand-new iPhone 16.

Here's what you'll pay outright for each iPhone 16 model:

iPhone 16 (128GB): from $1,399
iPhone 16 Plus (128GB): from $1,599
iPhone 16 Pro (128GB): from $1,799
iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB): from $2,149

If you want a larger storage variant you'll need to pay more. Here are the prices for all the storage variants of the standard iPhone 16:

iPhone 16 (128GB): $1,399
iPhone 16 (256GB): $1,599
iPhone 16 (512GB): $1,949

If you were looking at buying an iPhone 12, you won't find it stocked very widely as it was discontinued last year. You might be able to score it for cheap from a place that sells refurbished iPhones.

Decided to upgrade? Here's how much the cheapest storage variant of each iPhone 16 costs on a 36-month repayment plan from Vodafone, Telstra and Optus:

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $73.68/mth Min. cost $1,287.48 Go to Site	$73.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,287.48	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $103.68/mth Min. cost $1,317.48 Go to Site	$103.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,317.48	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments $104.68/mth Min. cost $1,318.48 Go to Site	$104.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,318.48	Go to Site
#4	Telstra	Telstra $84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan 180GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Essential Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26 $111.47/mth Min. cost $1,422.92 Link not supplied	$111.47/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,422.92	Link not supplied
#5	Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments $111.47/mth Min. cost $1,422.92 Link not supplied	$111.47/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,422.92	Link not supplied
#6	Telstra	Telstra $99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan 300GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Get $15 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Premium Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26 $121.47/mth Min. cost $1,432.92 Link not supplied	$121.47/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,432.92	Link not supplied
#7	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $124.68/mth Min. cost $1,338.48 Go to Site	$124.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,338.48	Go to Site

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $77.86/mth Min. cost $1,437.96 Go to Site	$77.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,437.96	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $107.86/mth Min. cost $1,467.96 Go to Site	$107.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,467.96	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments $108.86/mth Min. cost $1,468.96 Go to Site	$108.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,468.96	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $128.86/mth Min. cost $1,488.96 Go to Site	$128.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,488.96	Go to Site

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $98.68/mth Min. cost $2,187.48 Out of stock	$98.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,187.48	Out of stock
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $128.68/mth Min. cost $2,217.48 Out of stock	$128.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,217.48	Out of stock
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments $129.68/mth Min. cost $2,218.48 Out of stock	$129.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,218.48	Out of stock
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $149.68/mth Min. cost $2,238.48 Out of stock	$149.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,238.48	Out of stock

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Camera

The arrangement of the cameras might look the same on the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 16 but the latter has a lot more to it. The iPhone 12 had a 12MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide lens. The iPhone 16 comes with a much improved 48MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide lens.

With the 16's more advanced setup, you can take macro photography, spatial photos and videos and next-generation portraits with focus. It also has up to 2x optical zoom. If you like to shoot video then the iPhone 16 has support for 4K Dolby Vision video recording. It's simply bigger and better in every way. Both still have a 12MP selfie camera but the iPhone 16's is superior with improvements introduced from the iPhone 14 and improved since.

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Connectivity

The iPhone 15 made the move to USB-C and the iPhone 16 has followed suit. You can now use the more universal connection type to charge your iPhone and other devices. The iPhone 12 of course has the older Apple lightning connection.

In terms of getting connected online both models support Sub 6 5G. The Australian model of the iPhone 16 comes with a physical sim slot and eSIM support as does the iPhone 12.

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Design

It could be said that Apple simply shifts things around every few years to create a bigger sense of change than what is real. While the iPhone 16 doesn't break away from the ingrained iPhone look if you look around the sides you'll find a couple of new buttons, the action button and the camera control button.

The first can be set to one of a few pre-programmed functions like turning the torch on or off, the second is a new way of accessing the camera. It has haptic feedback and even allows you to zoom by tracing your finger over the button.

The iPhone 16 has a rounder shape compared to the squared-off angles of the iPhone 12 and the Dynamic Island replaces the classic camera notch. As we've mentioned already the camera arrangement has made its way back to a stack-style with one on top of the other.

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iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Display

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 16 both have a 6.1-inch display in common, but with the Dynamic Island as a noticeable difference.

The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 16 is a UI element that can change shape to highlight a range of tasks running in the background. Think of things, like Maps navigation, music playback and timers.

The iPhone 16 also has a tougher, latest-generation ceramic shield front which Apple says is tougher than any smartphone glass and is 50% more durable then the one on the iPhone 12.

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Performance

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 12 should have a notable difference in performance with a four-generation gap between their processors. Rather than getting last year's Pro A17 processor the iPhone 16 has the all-new A18 processor compared with the iPhones A14 chipset.

You will likely notice much faster performance on the iPhone 16 especially with more demanding apps like editing tools and games, and even during day-to-day usage.

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 16: Battery

According to Apple the iPhone 12 is rated for up to 17 hours of video playback. The iPhone 16 makes a big jump with up to 22 hours video playback time. Batteries tend to lose charge capacity over time. If you've had your iPhone 12 since launch and haven't had it serviced you might notice substantial performance changes.

We'll be able to comment on the battery further once we've tested the iPhone 16.

Should you upgrade to iPhone 16?

The iPhone 16 is a significant upgrade in all the ways that count with a better camera system, longer battery life and improved processors compared to the iPhone 12. If you can afford it then you could look at purchasing the iPhone 16 outright or on a mobile plan from a telco.

If your iPhone 12 still serves your needs and you want to hold out longer before parting with your hard-earned cash then never fear. Apple should still be rolling out important iOS and security updates to the iPhone 12 for another three years.

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Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.

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