iPhone 12 vs iPhone 14 Comparison: Worth the Jump?

When the iPhone 14 came out, many people expected it to bring major upgrades over the iPhone 12. But after going through the review, it’s clear that the difference between these two phones is not as big as it seems. In fact, when you place them side by side, they look almost identical. The iPhone 14 is on the right and the iPhone 12 on the left, yet it’s hard to tell which one is newer. Both models still look sharp and premium, especially in white, and that’s something Apple has always done well.

Design 

Feature	iPhone 12	iPhone 14
Display	6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED	6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED
Refresh Rate	60Hz	60Hz
Build	Aluminum frame, glass back	Aluminum frame, glass back
Brightness	Good, but slightly lower	Brighter, better outdoor visibility
SIM	Physical SIM tray	eSIM only (in some regions)
Weight	164g	172g
MagSafe	Yes	Yes

The iPhone 12 was the first model to bring back the flat-edge design, similar to the iPhone 5 series, and Apple decided to stick with that look for the iPhone 14 too. Both have a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, and honestly, the viewing experience feels the same. The brightness on the iPhone 14 is slightly higher, which helps outdoors, but you won’t notice much of a difference during daily use. Neither of them supports ProMotion, so both stay locked at 60Hz. The notch on the iPhone 14 is a bit smaller, but functionally it doesn’t change anything; it’s more of a design tweak than a feature upgrade.

The frames of both phones are aluminum, the front and back are glass, and they both support MagSafe and wireless charging. Even the weight feels similar, though the iPhone 14 might be a tiny bit heavier. One of the only visible differences is the missing SIM card tray on the iPhone 14. Apple moved completely to eSIM for some regions, which can be inconvenient for people who travel often and use local SIM cards. Still, in day-to-day life, most users won’t feel the impact of this change.

Cameras

Feature	iPhone 12	iPhone 14
Main Lens	12MP Wide	12MP Wide (larger sensor)
Ultra-Wide	12MP	12MP
Night Mode	Decent low-light shots	Improved night and low-light shots
Video	4K at 60fps	4K at 60fps + Cinematic & Action Modes
Selfie	12MP	12MP with better low-light and tone
Camera Layout	Vertical	Diagonal

Turning the phones around, you’ll see that the camera setup looks slightly different. The iPhone 12’s dual lenses are stacked vertically, while the iPhone 14’s are placed diagonally and are noticeably larger. Both have a wide and an ultra-wide lens, and both deliver excellent image quality for casual photography. However, the review made it clear that the iPhone 14 takes slightly better photos in low light, thanks to its newer sensor and processing improvements. In bright light, the differences are minor; the iPhone 12 still produces sharp and colorful shots. The iPhone 14’s advantage mainly shows up when you shoot at night or in tricky lighting.

For videos, the iPhone 14 comes with extra modes like Cinematic Mode and Action Mode. These make it easier to capture smoother footage or get that movie-like depth of field. Still, the iPhone 12 handles video recording very well, offering 4K at 60fps on both the front and rear cameras. Unless you record videos professionally, the gap between them isn’t as wide as expected. The selfie camera on both also performs well, with the iPhone 14 offering slightly more natural colors and better low-light results.

Performance 

Feature	iPhone 12	iPhone 14
Chipset	A14 Bionic	A15 Bionic
RAM	4GB	6GB
Daily Performance	Smooth and responsive	Slightly faster and more efficient
Gaming	Excellent	Slightly improved graphics
Software	iOS 26 (supported)	iOS 26 (longer update support)

When it comes to performance, the iPhone 12 runs on the A14 Bionic chip with 4GB of RAM, while the iPhone 14 uses the A15 Bionic with 6GB of RAM. The interesting part is that Apple reused the same chip from the iPhone 13 in the 14, so performance gains are modest. In speed tests, the iPhone 14 does open apps a little faster and handles multitasking more smoothly, but not by a huge margin. The iPhone 12 is still fast and responsive, showing just how powerful Apple’s chips have been for years. For gaming, social media, or day-to-day tasks, both handle everything easily.

Battery and Charging 

Battery life is another area where the iPhone 14 has a small edge. It lasts a bit longer, which makes sense with the newer processor and efficiency improvements. The iPhone 12 can still get through a full day of normal use, but the 14 tends to give you an extra hour or two depending on how you use it. Both support wireless and MagSafe charging, but neither includes a charger in the box. Charging speeds are nearly the same, so there’s not much difference there either.

Network and Connectivity 

A nice addition on the iPhone 14 is the Emergency SOS via satellite feature, which can connect you to emergency services even without cellular coverage. It’s one of those features you might never need but could be life-saving in rare situations. Aside from that, both phones feel almost the same in hand and in use. The review pointed out that the iPhone 14 might have slightly warmer tones in photos and a brighter screen, but the overall experience hasn’t changed dramatically.

Longevity is another thing worth mentioning. The iPhone 12 came out in 2020, so it will likely receive software updates for a few more years. The iPhone 14, being newer, will naturally stay supported longer. Still, the 12 isn’t going anywhere anytime soonit’s a strong performer that will keep up for several more iOS versions. The difference in long-term value mainly depends on how long you plan to keep your phone.

Verdict

Category	Winner	Reason
Design	Tie	Both share the same premium look
Display	Tie	Nearly identical viewing experience
Camera	iPhone 14	Better low-light and new modes
Performance	iPhone 14	Extra RAM and newer chip
Battery	iPhone 14	Slightly better endurance
Value	iPhone 12	Still powerful and much cheaper

When it comes down to choosing between the two, the review made it pretty clear that upgrading from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 14 isn’t really worth it. The changes are minor, and most of what you get with the slightly better cameras and battery life doesn’t justify the price difference. If you already have an iPhone 12, it’s still more than capable for everything from photography to gaming. On the other hand, if you’re coming from an older phone like the iPhone X or 11, the iPhone 14 would feel like a solid upgrade in performance and reliability.

The iPhone 14 might technically be newer, but the iPhone 12 still holds its ground beautifully. Both look great, feel premium, and perform fast enough for most people. The decision really comes down to how much you care about small improvements. For those who simply want a dependable iPhone that does everything well, the 12 remains an excellent choice. But if you want the latest model with a bit more future support and slightly better cameras, the iPhone 14 is the one to go for. Either way, you’ll be holding a phone that still feels modern, powerful, and unmistakably Apple.

See Also iPhone 14 vs 15: What’s Actually Different This Year?

FAQs (iPhone 12 vs iPhone 14)