iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 Pro
Starting at
£274.51£879.00 new
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone Air?
iPhone 12 Pro vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro starts at £274.51, £412.79 less than the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Refresh rate
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air.
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- The iPhone Air has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 6.1 inch.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air specs
The iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone Air differ mainly in performance, screen size and quality, camera resolution, and physical design. The iPhone Air offers double the RAM, a larger and higher resolution screen with a faster refresh rate, and higher megapixel counts on both front and main cameras, making it suited for users who prioritise smoother multitasking, a more expansive display, and detailed photography. The iPhone 12 Pro appeals to those who want a lighter device with physical SIM support and the Lightning connector.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air price
Colour
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air battery life and software updates
Durability covers the phones' software support and physical features.
Operating System Compatibility
This means you get access to current software features and security patches regardless of which you choose, suitable if you want a device that stays current with Apple's ecosystem.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air screen
Screen quality affects how you see photos, videos, and apps day to day. The iPhone Air has a larger, higher resolution screen that refreshes twice as fast as the iPhone 12 Pro, which can benefit users who watch media or scroll frequently.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone Air's 6.5 inch screen is larger than the iPhone 12 Pro's 6.1 inch, providing more viewing space for videos and apps. Its resolution of 2736 by 1260 gives a sharper and more detailed display compared to the 1170 by 2532 resolution on the iPhone 12 Pro, which might appeal to those who value image clarity.
Refresh Rate
With a 120 Hz refresh rate, the iPhone Air offers smoother motion when scrolling or gaming, which users sensitive to screen fluidity may notice. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 60 Hz refresh rate, suitable for everyday use and familiar to many users.
Screen Type
The iPhone 12 Pro uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, while the iPhone Air features a Super Retina XDR screen. Both provide high-quality visuals, but the difference in screen type may influence colour and contrast preferences.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air camera
Camera quality is important for capturing photos and videos. The iPhone Air offers higher megapixel counts on both front and main cameras, which can capture more detail in images.
Front Camera
The iPhone Air has an 18 megapixel front camera, compared to 12 megapixels on the iPhone 12 Pro. This makes the iPhone Air good for users who take many selfies or video calls and want higher resolution images.
Main Camera
With a 48 megapixel main camera, the iPhone Air can capture more detailed photos than the iPhone 12 Pro's 12 megapixel main camera. This suits photography enthusiasts or anyone who wants sharper photos.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air size and design
Other features include physical size, weight, connectors, and SIM options that affect how you use and carry the phone daily.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro has a Lightning connector, while the iPhone Air uses a USB-C connector. USB-C is commonly used across many devices, which may simplify charging and accessory use for some users.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 12 Pro supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, which can be useful if you want to switch physical SIM cards. The iPhone Air supports only eSIM, which may suit those comfortable with digital SIM management.
Size and Weight
The iPhone Air is slightly taller at 156.2 mm compared to 146.7 mm for the iPhone 12 Pro, and narrower at 74.7 mm versus 71.5 mm. It is also lighter at 165 g compared to 187 g, making it more comfortable to hold for some users.
Memory and Storage
The iPhone Air has 12 GB of RAM, double the 6 GB in the iPhone 12 Pro, which supports more apps running at once. In storage, the iPhone Air offers up to 1 TB, while the iPhone 12 Pro goes up to 512 GB, catering to those needing extra space.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone Air: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £274.51, £412.79 less than the iPhone Air
- you want an OLED screen
Buy the iPhone Air if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 6.1 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 12 Pro often highlight its condition, describing it as looking and working like new. Many mention solid battery health and smooth operation, with some purchasing multiple times from PhoneMart. The device is appreciated for reliable performance and good value, especially by those upgrading from older iPhones who want newer iOS support and more storage space. Its physical SIM support has also been useful for some users.
Reviews for the iPhone Air focus on its excellent condition and battery health, often at 100 percent. Customers praise the phone's quality and performance, commenting on the large storage options and premium feel. Some note the challenge of finding cases that suit its size but appreciate the phone's slim design and smooth daily use. The larger screen and camera improvements receive positive remarks as well.
Both devices suit buyers looking for well-maintained refurbished phones. The iPhone 12 Pro appeals to those who prefer a lighter device with physical SIM support and a familiar connector, while the iPhone Air fits users who want a larger screen, more memory, and higher camera resolution for detailed photos.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone Air FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 12 Pro is cheaper refurbished, from £274.51 compared with £687.30 for the iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air 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 Air is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone Air adds more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 6.1 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £412.79 more (from £687.30 vs £274.51).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone Air in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
