iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro
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iPhone 12 Pro
Starting at
£274.51£879.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro
Starting at
£1,074.24£1,099.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro?
iPhone 12 Pro vs 17 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro starts at £274.51, £799.73 less than the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro.
- The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- Battery: 2815 mAh on the iPhone 12 Pro, 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro specs
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro differ in several key areas that suit different needs. The iPhone 12 Pro offers a solid, familiar experience with a 6.1 inch screen, 6 GB of RAM, and a 2815 mAh battery, making it suitable for everyday use and those who want a reliable device with a proven design. The iPhone 17 Pro features a larger 6.3 inch screen, higher refresh rate, more RAM, and a bigger battery capacity, which will appeal to users who want a more powerful device for multitasking, content creation, and sharper photos. The choice depends on whether you prefer a simpler, efficient phone or a higher performance model with extra features and storage options up to 1TB.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software support, and physical design aspects that affect daily use and longevity. The iPhone 17 Pro has a larger battery, which may offer longer usage between charges compared to the iPhone 12 Pro.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 17 Pro has battery capacities of 3998 mAh and 4252 mAh, which suggest it offers more power for longer usage between charges. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 2815 mAh battery, suitable for everyday use but likely to require more frequent charging. This makes the iPhone 17 Pro a good choice if you often use your phone for extended periods without access to a charger.
Software Updates
This ensures you get current software features and security patches regardless of which model you choose.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro performance
Performance differences come down to the chipset, RAM, and storage options. The iPhone 17 Pro offers more processing power and memory, which benefits heavy multitasking and demanding apps.
Chipset and Processing
The iPhone 12 Pro runs on the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built on a 5 nm process. The iPhone 17 Pro uses the Apple A19 Pro chipset on a 3 nm process. This difference suits users who want faster app performance and smoother operation under heavy use.
RAM Capacity
With 6 GB of RAM, the iPhone 12 Pro supports everyday apps and multitasking well. The iPhone 17 Pro doubles that to 12 GB, which helps keep more apps open simultaneously and improves performance in demanding tasks like gaming or creative work.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at 256GB and goes up to 1TB, offering significantly more space for large files, apps, and media. This is ideal for users who need extensive storage without relying on cloud services.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, with differences in size, resolution, and refresh rate shaping the experience of watching videos, gaming, and reading.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1170 x 2532. The iPhone 17 Pro offers a slightly larger 6.3 inch Super Retina XDR screen with 2622 x 1206 resolution. The larger screen on the iPhone 17 Pro provides more room for videos and games, while its resolution supports clear and detailed images.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 60 Hz refresh rate, suitable for most everyday activities. The iPhone 17 Pro doubles this to 120 Hz, delivering smoother scrolling and animations, which enhances gaming and video playback for users who notice these details.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro camera
Camera quality is important for capturing photos and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro offers higher megapixel counts on both front and main cameras, which can result in more detailed images.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 12 megapixel front camera, which suits clear video calls and selfies. The iPhone 17 Pro increases this to 18 megapixels, providing finer detail and sharper images for those who prioritise front-facing photography.
Main Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro features a 12 megapixel main camera, delivering quality photos for general use. The iPhone 17 Pro's 48 megapixel main camera captures much more detail, making it a better fit for users interested in photography or content creation.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro size and design
Other notable differences include connectors, SIM options, physical dimensions and weight, which affect daily handling and compatibility.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro uses a Lightning connector, common for many accessories and chargers. The iPhone 17 Pro adopts USB-C, which is widely used across devices and can offer more versatile charging and data transfer options.
SIM Card Setup
The iPhone 12 Pro supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, giving flexibility for users who want a physical card. The iPhone 17 Pro uses only eSIM, which suits those comfortable managing their mobile plans digitally.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 Pro measures 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, and 7.4 mm deep, weighing 187 g. The iPhone 17 Pro is slightly taller at 150 mm, wider at 71.9 mm, deeper at 8.8 mm, and heavier at 206 g. The iPhone 17 Pro's larger size and weight may be noticeable but offer a bigger screen and battery.
Mobile Network and Carrier
Both phones support 5G and are unlocked, allowing use with a wide range of carriers in the UK.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £274.51, £799.73 less than the iPhone 17 Pro
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (189 g vs 206 g)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
What our customers say
Customers buying the iPhone 12 Pro describe it as looking and working like new, with many praising the battery health and smooth performance. Several mention satisfaction with the condition, often highlighting good value for money. Users appreciate the phone's reliable battery life and ease of setup. Some customers chose the iPhone 12 Pro for everyday use, noting it fits their needs for app updates, storage, and screen size without excess features.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro focus on its excellent condition, with many commenting on the spotless screen and near-new battery health. Customers highlight the clearer, brighter display and improved camera quality, making it suitable for content creators or those who want sharper visuals. Some users note the phone feels brand new and appreciate the higher storage options. A few mention the slightly larger size but say they adapted quickly and enjoy the bigger screen for videos and photos.
Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro suits buyers looking for an efficient, straightforward device with solid performance and good condition. The iPhone 17 Pro appeals to those wanting a phone with a larger display, better camera detail, and more power for demanding tasks.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro vs 17 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 12 Pro is cheaper refurbished, from £274.51 compared with £1074.24 for the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro has 2815 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro has 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh.
The iPhone 17 Pro 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 17 Pro is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 Pro adds more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £799.73 more (from £1074.24 vs £274.51).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
