If you’re trying to decide between excellent refurbished pre-owned phone models, you might be trying to compare an iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. How do you choose one of these relatively modern iPhones? This guide will help you to look at all the features and functionality of these two phones.
Either one of these phones can be a great purchase when you’re looking for a high-performance iPhone that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. At the same time, the iPhone 12 represents a real shift in terms of design. We’ll break down the differences for prospective buyers.
In addition, Gazelle is a company that values excellent customer service and wants to help you get the best price on a pre-owned iPhone or other device. We’re also conscientious about the environment and strive to give used devices a second chance at life.
With Gazelle, you can trade in and get a certified refurbished iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 (or something newer) and save money. Be assured that our phones all go through a thorough 30-point inspection before they get to you, as we refurbish them back to factory conditions.
Features and Specifications
When it comes to the high-design engineering that Apple puts into the iPhone, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 have some of the same design. There is a 12 MP dual camera, with wide angle and ultra-wide-angle function, and various memory storage choices. Those are some of the things to think about when you’re comparing an iPhone 11 vs 12.
For more compare these specifications:
iPhone 11
- Operating System: iOS 13
- Processor: A13 Bionic chip
- Memory:4 GB RAM
- Storage:64GB
- Camera Resolution: Dual 12 MP Wide and Ultra Wide, Wide-angle:ƒ/1.8 aperture, Ultra-wide: ƒ/2.4 aperture
- Telephoto: ƒ/2.4 aperture, 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 5x
- Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Display Size:6.1″
- Display Resolution:1792 x 828 pixels at 326ppi
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi with 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC with reader mode
- Height:5.94″
- Width:2.98″
- Depth:0.33″
- Weight:6.84 oz.
iPhone 12
- Operating System: iOS 14.1
- Processor: Apple A14 Bionic (5nm)
- Memory:4GB RAM
- Storage:64GB
- Rear Camera:12MP Wide
- Rear Camera:12MP Ultrawide
- Front Camera:12MP Selfie
- Battery: Li-Ion, non-removable, fast charging 20W
- Display Size:6.1″
- Display Resolution:1170 x 2532 pixels
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB 2.0
- Height:0.29″
- Width:2.81″
- Length:5.78″
- Weight:164g
The Big iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 Difference: Connectivity
Here’s one of the biggest headlines on choosing between the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. It’s 5G, the new connectivity model that supplements radio waves with certain other kinds of high frequency waves.
5G is getting rolled out all over the country right now. It replaces the previous 4G network connectivity system. And it’s generally considered more capable for high-use broadband activities like gaming, as well as general reliability and performance.
The key thing to know is that the iPhone 12 is 5G compatible, but the iPhone 11 is not. So if you want a 5G phone or will want one in the future, you’re going to want to go with the iPhone 12 option.
There’s also a smart mode on the iPhone 12 that helps users to toggle between 5G and 4G to save battery life. So you get the best of both worlds with the iPhone 12.
Display Options
There is a big difference between these two phones in terms of display, too. Both screens are 6.1 inches – but where the iPhone 11 has the traditional LCD display, that iPhone 12 has the new OLED display, which results in different tone quality and visual appeal.
It’s also much higher resolution, where the iPhone 11 has something like 1700 x 1800 pixels, and the iPhone 12 has around 2500 x 1200 pixels.
What does this mean that the iPhone 12 has this new type of display?
The OLED display uses an organic film, where an electronic current results in light to the touch screen. In this way, the new OLED system doesn’t need a backlight. Blacks are blacker, and the phone can be built thinner and lighter. OLED can also help with contrast and flexibility.
iPhone 11 and iPhone 12: Apple’s Bionic Chip Line
Both of these phones, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, have successive versions of Apples A-line of bionic chips. Billed as system-on-a-chip (SoC), the A chip is wildly popular, and famous for good its unique design.
What’s important to understand is that the iPhone 11 has the A13 chip, while the iPhone 12 has a newer A14 chip.
So how does this translate to performance? Well, the A14 in the iPhone 12 has an estimated 40% edge over the A13. For contrast, the A15 on the iPhone 13 is only estimated to have a 10% edge over the A14 in the iPhone 12. So that’s a big jump in performance, and a big difference in terms of chip design!
iPhone 11 and iPhone 12: Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 offers 11 hours of estimated playback, where the iPhone 11 offers 10.
As mentioned, 5G wi-fi will drain a battery quicker, which is why the smart mode is built into the iPhone 12.
There’s also modern sim card versatility built into the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. For example, in terms of sim card use, both phones accommodate a nano sim.
iPhone 11 and iPhone 12: Cameras
There are not a lot of differences between the cameras in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. They both have the 12 MP main camera and a second aperture. They both record at 60 FPS.
The iPhone 12 has a slight advantage with certain software features. This phone also has many of the top features for Apple camera design and video playback, including true tune flash with slow sync, portrait lighting, and Apple’s deep fusion smart photo technology. There’s the capacity for photo geo-tagging, and auto image stabilization, and things like red eye correction. In terms of video recording, there’s time lapse video stabilization and night mode, along with stereo recording.
iPhone 12: OLED Display
What does this mean that the Apple iPhone 12 has this new type of display?
The OLED system uses an organic film where an electronic current sends light to the touch screen. In this way, OLED doesn’t need a backlight. Blacks are blacker, and the phone can be built thinner and lighter. This display technology can also help with contrast ratio and flexibility. It’s a game-changer for image and video in some ways. So, if you’re into the best new ways to render digital images, it’s worth having.
iPhone 12: MagSafe
Another thing that the iPhone 12 pioneers is the MagSafe wireless charging and accessory connective design.
This is another brand-new feature that Apple has unveiled, offering much more convenient quick charging and attachment of accessories.
Although Apple provides the warning that MagSafe can damage RFID strips on credit cards if used incorrectly, this new type of no-cable connection is very attractive to some users, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding between these two phones.
Apple’s Ceramic Shield
Here’s another thing that’s new with the iPhone 12 – the iPhone 11 doesn’t have it, but the 12 does.
Apple’s new ceramic shield is being billed as a nano-ceramic material – developed in conjunction with the Corning company, it uses nanoscale crystals for a robust hardening effect, making the phones even more durable and hardier for everyday use.
Size and Weight
Another difference between the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 is the weight of the device and its size.
TechRadar calls the iPhone 11 a “chunky bit of kit,” citing its weight at 194g against the iPhone 12 at 164g and showing that the iPhone 12 is several millimeters shorter and narrower than the 11.
Another thing that this review touts is the better water resistance of the iPhone 12.
Both phones are highly rated for IP68, but where the iPhone 11 is rated for maximum depth 2 meters up to 30 minutes, the iPhone 12 is rated for 6 meters up to 30 minutes under IEC standard 60529.
Battery, Image, and Sound
The iPhone 12 comes with a new 20W battery charger. This device is estimated to be able to charge the phone halfway in under half an hour. It’s compatible with USB blocks and can be used with a MagSafe charger for wireless charging design.
With all of this new technology, some reviewers point to the iPhone 12 as “the first iPhone in several years that really does feel like something new.”
In addition, here’s something else for audiophiles to consider – neither the iPhone 11 nor the iPhone 12 have a standard 1/8 stereo jack for audio. That means if you going to use conventional wired headphones or earbuds, you’ll need those with a specific plug into the lightning port.
Bold New iPhone Design
In a nutshell, many of the best new features Apple has rolled out in the last few years are all in the iPhone 12, but not in the iPhone 11. This change is a real generational shift for the Apple smartphones. It’s worth thinking about which side of the divide you want to purchase on if you’re trying to compare the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 for a pre-owned smartphone buy.
Another issue is end of support for these phones. The iPhone 12 will be supported through 2027, where the iPhone 11 may not be guaranteed the same support time frame.
When you’re looking to decide between the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, there’s one more exciting feature that might push you toward the newer iPhone.
The Pro and Pro max versions of the iPhone 12 have a new technology called lidar built in a sensor into the phone’s design.
Lidar, which stands for light detection and ranging, uses laser pulses to assess a three-dimensional space. It’s being used in autonomous driving applications and many other types of new technologies.
Experts explain that in terms of smartphone use, the lidar helps to measure distances and build three-dimensional spaces to render in augmented reality.
In terms of camera design, lidar helps with image quality overall, and with taking photos in low light conditions. But lidar also has a lot of potential use cases in the future, and building it into a smartphone makes a lot of sense.
If you’re a high-tech kind of person who likes the best new things, being able to get lidar in a pre-owned smart phone is a big deal.
The Best Price with Gazelle
When you’re buying a refurbished preowned iPhone, why not go with the company that understands how to give you the best value for your money? All of our phones go through a 30-point inspection where we look at all of the features and functions to make sure that you get the quality you deserve. We believe in the best customer service, and in doing what we can for our buyers. We also give you the ability to sell your old phone.
Get a quick, easy, convenient process for upgrading your smartphone and enjoying a new experience with a new-to-you device. We have worked hard to pioneer a new model for those buying, selling and trading smartphones, tablets and other devices, in order to help with what we call the “circular economy.” Instead of everyone buying new from a factory, there’s a broader marketplace for these durable and long-lasting devices – and everybody wins!
Take a look at all of the smartphone and device models available on our site, with various condition ratings, internal storage capacity levels, colors and styles. We are sure you will find something that’s right for you!