Should you upgrade from iPhone 12 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro? A features comparison

In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Apple has once again raised the bar with its latest release, the iPhone 15 Pro. Packed with over 50 new features and improvements, it stands as a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the iPhone 12 Pro, which hit the market three years prior.

For those contemplating an upgrade, this detailed comparison will dissect the key differences between these two models, aiding you in making an informed decision.

The iPhone 12 Pro, introduced in 2020, brought forth groundbreaking technologies like the A14 Bionic chip, MagSafe, and Night mode portraits.

Even though it was discontinued upon the arrival of the iPhone 13 Pro in 2021, it remains accessible in the second-hand market at budget-friendly prices.

Design and build

The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a sleek titanium chassis with contoured edges, ensuring durability and a refined look. In contrast, the iPhone 12 Pro features a surgical-grade stainless steel chassis. The newer model is marginally thicker but offers a more repairable design, catering to sustainability concerns.

Display

One of the most noticeable upgrades lies in the display technology. The iPhone 15 Pro’s screen dazzles with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (HDR) and 2,000 nits (outdoor), accompanied by ProMotion technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz.

Additionally, the device introduces an always-on Retina display with Dynamic Island, reducing overall footprint. On the other hand, the iPhone 12 Pro peaks at 1,200 nits (HDR) and lacks the always-on feature.

Camera capabilities

The photography and videography capabilities have undergone a substantial overhaul. The iPhone 15 Pro sports a 48-megapixel main camera, a significant leap from the 12-megapixel counterpart in the iPhone 12 Pro.

The newer model also introduces a folded tetraprism design for improved telephoto shots, optical image stabilization, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module (Pro Max only).

Enhanced Night mode, ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps, and Cinematic mode for videos with shallow depth of field are among the numerous camera upgrades in the iPhone 15 Pro.

Performance and connectivity

Under the hood, the iPhone 15 Pro houses the powerful A17 Pro chip, ensuring seamless performance and enhanced efficiency compared to the A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 Pro.

The newer model also boasts 8GB of memory, a dedicated AV1 decoder, and second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling superior connectivity and precision finding capabilities.

Port and battery

A significant departure from tradition, the iPhone 15 Pro adopts a USB-C port, offering faster transfer speeds up to 10Gb/s. In contrast, the iPhone 12 Pro sticks to the Lightning port with lower transfer speeds.

The battery life sees a notable boost in the iPhone 15 Pro, ranging from 23 to 29 hours, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s 17 to 20 hours. Additionally, the newer model allows users to prevent charging above 80%, enhancing battery longevity.

Storage options and colors

While the iPhone 12 Pro offers storage options up to 512GB, the iPhone 15 Pro takes it a step further with a whopping 1TB option, ensuring ample space for your digital life.

In terms of aesthetics, the iPhone 15 Pro introduces Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium color options, diverging from the Pacific Blue, Silver, Gold, and Graphite options of the iPhone 12 Pro.

In essence, the iPhone 15 Pro stands as a testament to Apple’s relentless pursuit of innovation. Its superior display, advanced camera technologies, enhanced performance, and thoughtful design changes make it a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts.

For iPhone 12 Pro users contemplating an upgrade, the iPhone 15 Pro offers a wealth of tangible benefits, ensuring a seamless and future-proof mobile experience. However, those anticipating a more substantial upgrade with the next iteration might consider waiting.

Ultimately, the choice rests on individual preferences and priorities, but the iPhone 15 Pro undoubtedly marks a remarkable evolution in the realm of smartphones.

Feature	iPhone 15 Pro	iPhone 12 Pro
Chassis	Aerospace-grade titanium with contoured edges	Surgical-grade stainless steel with squared-off edges
Depth	8.25mm (0.6mm thicker)	7.4mm
Weight	187g (iPhone 15 Pro), 221g (Pro Max)	187g (iPhone 12 Pro), 226g (Pro Max)
Display Brightness	1,600 nits (HDR), 2,000 nits (outdoor)	1,200 nits (HDR)
Refresh Rate	Up to 120Hz (ProMotion technology)	60Hz
Camera (Main)	48-megapixel, ƒ/1.78 aperture, larger sensor	12-megapixel, ƒ/1.6 aperture
Camera (Ultra-wide)	12-megapixel, ƒ/2.2 aperture	12-megapixel, ƒ/2.4 aperture
Camera (Telephoto)	12-megapixel, ƒ/2.8 aperture, larger sensor, autofocus 3D sensor-shift module (Pro Max)	12-megapixel, ƒ/2.0 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Front Camera	12-megapixel, ƒ/1.9 aperture, autofocus	12-megapixel, ƒ/2.2 aperture
Memory (RAM)	8GB	6GB
Processor	A17 Pro chip (3nm)	A14 Bionic chip (5nm)
Storage Options	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Port	USB-C	Lightning
Battery Life	23-29 hours	17-20 hours
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, Second-gen Ultra Wideband chip	Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6, First-gen Ultra Wideband chip
Other Features	Always-on Retina display, Action button, Photonic Engine, Macro photography, ProRes video recording, Cinematic mode, Adaptive True Tone flash, Spatial video recording, Academy Color Encoding System, Photographic Styles, USB 3 transfer speeds, Precision Finding for Find My friends, Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance via satellite, Crash Detection, USB 3 transfer speeds, DisplayPort support for up to 4K HDR video output	Night mode, Night mode portraits, Smart HDR 3, True Tone flash, eSIM only (in the U.S.), USB 2 transfer speeds (up to 480Mb/s), Qi wireless charging support
Color Options	Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium	Pacific Blue, Silver, Gold, Graphite