iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 Pro
Starting at
£274.51£879.00 new
iPhone 16e
Starting at
£478.75£599.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 16e?
iPhone 12 Pro vs 16e comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro starts at £274.51, £204.24 less than the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 16e is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Main camera
Weight
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16e.
- The iPhone 16e has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- The iPhone 16e has a bigger battery: 4005 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e specs
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 16e share a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen and support 5G, making both suitable for immersive viewing and fast connectivity. The iPhone 16e offers a larger battery and more RAM, which benefits users who need longer battery life and smoother multitasking. It also features a newer chipset and USB-C connector, which may appeal to those wanting the latest technology standards. The iPhone 12 Pro uses a Lightning connector and has a slightly heavier build, suiting buyers comfortable with established accessories. Both phones provide similar storage options and unlocked carrier compatibility, so your choice depends on preferences for battery, performance, and connection type.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e battery life and software updates
Durability affects how long a phone can last on a charge and how it handles daily use. Both iPhones run on iOS and are not foldable, but there are differences in battery capacity and weight that influence everyday experience.
Battery Capacity and Weight
The iPhone 16e has a 4005 mAh battery, offering more capacity than the iPhone 12 Pro's 2815 mAh battery. This means the iPhone 16e can support longer use between charges, which suits users who want extended battery life. The iPhone 16e is also lighter at 167 g compared to the iPhone 12 Pro's 187 g, making it easier to carry or hold for long periods.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e performance
Performance influences how smoothly apps run and how well the phone handles multitasking. The iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 Pro differ in chipset and RAM, with identical storage options available for both.
Chipset and Speed
The iPhone 16e uses the Apple A18 chipset built on a 3 nm process, while the iPhone 12 Pro runs on the Apple A14 Bionic with a 5 nm process. This update in chipset supports enhanced efficiency and responsiveness in the iPhone 16e, which benefits users running demanding apps or newer software.
RAM for Multitasking
With 8 GB of RAM, the iPhone 16e keeps more apps active simultaneously, supporting smoother multitasking compared to the iPhone 12 Pro's 6 GB. This suits users who run multiple apps or browser tabs at once without reloading.
Storage Options
Both phones come in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage sizes. This allows you to choose the amount of space you need for apps, photos, and files without compromise.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e screen
Screen quality is important for viewing photos, videos, and reading text comfortably. Both phones share many features, but there is a difference in resolution formatting to consider.
Screen Resolution and Size
Both the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 16e have a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen, providing bright and clear displays. The resolution is 1170 x 2532 for the iPhone 12 Pro and 2532 x 1170 for the iPhone 16e. The difference is in orientation of the dimensions as listed, but both offer high-definition viewing suitable for detailed images and sharp text.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e camera
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e size and design
Other practical differences involve connectivity, size, and physical design. These can affect what accessories you use and how the phone feels in hand.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro uses a Lightning connector, which works with many existing Apple accessories. The iPhone 16e has a USB-C connector, matching a wider range of devices and chargers. Your preference here depends on the cables and chargers you already own or plan to use.
Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone 16e measures 146.7 mm in height, 71.5 mm in width, and 7.8 mm in depth, and weighs 167 g. The iPhone 12 Pro is 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, 7.4 mm deep, and weighs 187 g. The iPhone 16e is slightly slimmer and lighter, which may feel more comfortable for extended use.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G connectivity, offering flexibility with network providers and access to faster mobile internet speeds.
SIM Options
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 16e support both a physical SIM and eSIM, allowing flexible options for adding mobile plans.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 16e: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £274.51, £204.24 less than the iPhone 16e
Buy the iPhone 16e if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4005 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers of the iPhone 12 Pro appreciate its reliable battery life and feel confident in its condition, often noting that it looks and works like new. Reviews mention smooth performance, solid battery health, and good value for refurbished quality. Buyers upgrading from older models find it meets their needs well for apps and storage. Many customers praise the phone for being a dependable choice that fits daily use comfortably.
For the iPhone 16e, customers highlight its like-new condition and longer battery life. The increased speed and RAM receive positive comments, especially from those moving up from earlier iPhones. The USB-C connector and smooth data transfer are noted, though some mention minor challenges with moving data from Android. The lighter weight and premium condition stand out, making it a good choice for users wanting newer technology features and longer battery endurance.
Both phones satisfy different needs: the iPhone 12 Pro suits those comfortable with Lightning accessories and solid performance, while the iPhone 16e appeals to those seeking longer battery life and the latest chipset with USB-C connectivity.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16e FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro vs 16e comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 16e has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 12 Pro is cheaper refurbished, from £274.51 compared with £478.75 for the iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 16e has a bigger battery: 4005 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The iPhone 16e has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 Pro is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 16e is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 16e adds more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger battery (4005 mAh vs 2815 mAh) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £204.24 more (from £478.75 vs £274.51).
Both come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB refurbished.
