iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12
Starting at
£170.00£649.00 new
iPhone 17
Starting at
£713.34£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 17?
iPhone 12 vs 17 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 starts at £170, £543.34 less than the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 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, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17.
- The iPhone 17 has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPhone 17 has a bigger battery: 3692 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 specs
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 17 differ in several key ways that suit different users. The iPhone 12 offers a well-balanced package with a 2815 mAh battery and 4 GB of RAM, ideal for everyday use and smooth multitasking. The iPhone 17 features a larger 3692 mAh battery and 8 GB of RAM for those who want longer battery life and more memory for running multiple apps at once. The iPhone 17's screen refresh rate doubles that of the iPhone 12, making scrolling and animations smoother. Camera resolution is higher on the iPhone 17, capturing more detail. The iPhone 17 also uses USB-C for charging and data, while the iPhone 12 uses Lightning. Storage choices differ too, with the iPhone 12 starting at 64GB and the iPhone 17 offering larger 256GB and 512GB options. Choose the iPhone 12 for everyday needs and a lower price, or the iPhone 17 for more screen smoothness, battery life, and camera detail.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 price
Colour
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and operating system support are important for how long a phone lasts in use.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 has a 2815 mAh battery, suitable for typical daily use. The iPhone 17 has a larger 3692 mAh battery, which can provide longer usage between charges. If you often use your phone heavily or want more time between charges, the iPhone 17's larger battery is better suited.
Operating System Compatibility
This means you can expect current software features and security improvements on either device, keeping them reliable over time.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 performance
Performance affects how smoothly your phone runs apps and manages multitasking. The iPhone 17 has higher specifications in both chipset and RAM, which benefits users who run demanding apps or like to keep many apps open.
Processor
The iPhone 12 uses the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built on a 5 nm process, which delivers solid performance for everyday tasks and most apps. The iPhone 17 features the Apple A19 chipset, offering more power for handling complex applications and multitasking with ease.
Memory
With 4 GB of RAM, the iPhone 12 keeps everyday apps running smoothly and handles typical multitasking well. The iPhone 17 doubles this to 8 GB of RAM, which helps maintain smooth performance when running multiple apps or intensive software.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB versions, which suits users with moderate storage needs. The iPhone 17 offers larger storage capacities of 256GB and 512GB, ideal for those who store many photos, videos, or apps.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 screen
Screen quality influences how clear and smooth your viewing experience is. The iPhone 17 offers a higher refresh rate and a slightly larger screen, delivering smoother motion and more room for video or browsing.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone 12 has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is standard for smooth visuals. The iPhone 17 doubles this to 120 Hz, making scrolling, animations, and games appear smoother and more responsive. This is noticeable when you interact with the screen frequently.
Resolution and Size
The iPhone 12 features a 6.1 inch screen with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, providing sharp and clear images. The iPhone 17 has a slightly larger 6.3 inch screen with a resolution of 2622 x 1206 pixels, offering more screen space and detail for watching videos or multitasking.
Screen Type
Both phones use Super Retina XDR displays, with the iPhone 12 specifying OLED technology. These displays deliver vibrant colours and deep blacks, suitable for immersive viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 camera
Camera quality affects how much detail your photos and videos capture. Both phones have unlocked versions with front and main cameras, but the iPhone 17 offers higher resolution on both cameras.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 has a 12 megapixel front camera, suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 increases this to 18 megapixels, which captures more detail and sharper images for selfies and video chats.
Main Camera
The iPhone 12 includes a 12 megapixel main camera, capable of good quality photos in everyday situations. The iPhone 17 features a 48 megapixel main camera, allowing for photos with greater detail and clarity, which benefits users who enjoy photography or want higher resolution images.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 size and design
Other practical differences include connector type, size, weight, and network features that affect daily use and compatibility with accessories.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 uses a Lightning connector for charging and data transfer, while the iPhone 17 uses USB-C. USB-C is widely used for many devices, which may provide easier cable sharing across gadgets.
Physical Dimensions
The iPhone 12 measures 146.7 mm in height, 71.5 mm in width, and 7.4 mm in depth, weighing 164 g. The iPhone 17 is slightly taller at 149.6 mm, wider at 71.5 mm, and deeper at 8 mm, with a weight of 177 g. This means the iPhone 17 feels a bit larger and heavier in hand.
Network Features
Both phones support 5G networks and are unlocked, giving you flexibility to use SIM cards from various carriers. Both accept a physical SIM and eSIM, allowing multiple line setup.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 or iPhone 17: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £170, £543.34 less than the iPhone 17
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (162 g vs 177 g)
Buy the iPhone 17 if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3692 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 12 say it looks like new, with clean glass and no marks, often feeling like a new phone from Apple. Many mention the smooth performance thanks to the A14 Bionic chip and note that multitasking and everyday apps run well. The battery often feels like new, especially when customers chose phones with new batteries installed. The iPhone 12 is praised for being a premium-feeling device at a reasonable price.
Customers choosing the iPhone 17 report that the phone looks almost new with 100% battery health and no signs of use, sometimes describing it as a new phone for the price of a refurbished one. The device is said to meet expectations for performance and condition. The iPhone 17 is enjoyed by users who upgraded from older models and appreciate the device's condition and speed.
Overall, the iPhone 12 appeals to customers looking for a reliable and well-performing phone for everyday tasks, while the iPhone 17 suits those wanting a larger battery, more memory, and a higher resolution camera in a device that feels new.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 FAQs
iPhone 12 vs 17 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 is cheaper refurbished, from £170 compared with £713.34 for the iPhone 17.
The iPhone 17 has a bigger battery: 3692 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The iPhone 17 has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 adds more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (3692 mAh vs 2815 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch). Refurbished, it costs £543.34 more (from £713.34 vs £170).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 17 in 256GB and 512GB.
