iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12
Starting at
£170.00£649.00 new
iPhone 17e
Starting at
£603.69What's the difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 17e?
iPhone 12 vs 17e comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 starts at £170, £433.69 less than the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Main camera
Weight
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17e.
- The iPhone 17e has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPhone 17e has a bigger battery: 4005 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e specs
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 17e both run iOS and support 5G, with the same screen size and refresh rate. The iPhone 17e offers a larger battery and double the RAM, making it suited for users who want longer battery life and smoother multitasking. Its main camera has a higher megapixel count, appealing to those who want more detailed photos. Storage options also differ, with the iPhone 12 available up to 256GB and the iPhone 17e starting at 256GB and going up to 512GB. Both phones are unlocked and support physical SIM plus eSIM, catering to flexible network use.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e price
Colour
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e battery life and software updates
Battery life and software support are key for everyday use.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 has a 2815 mAh battery, while the iPhone 17e comes with a larger 4005 mAh battery. If you often use your phone throughout the day without frequent charging, the iPhone 17e provides more capacity to keep you going longer between charges.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e performance
Performance impacts how smoothly your phone handles apps and multitasking. The two iPhones differ in chipset and memory, which affects their speed and capacity for running multiple apps.
Processor Power
The iPhone 12 uses the Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) chipset, while the iPhone 17e features the Apple A19. The iPhone 17e's chipset supports more demanding tasks and newer software capabilities.
Memory Size
With 4 GB of RAM, the iPhone 12 manages everyday apps comfortably. The iPhone 17e doubles this with 8 GB of RAM, which helps keep more apps open at once and improves performance in multitasking or heavier use.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options, suitable for typical daily use. The iPhone 17e comes in 256GB and 512GB versions, ideal for users needing more space for photos, videos, and apps.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e screen
Screen quality is important for viewing content clearly. Both phones share the same screen size and refresh rate, but differ in resolution and pixel arrangement.
Resolution Orientation
The iPhone 12 has a resolution of 1170 by 2532 pixels, while the iPhone 17e has 2532 by 1170 pixels. Both screens measure 6.1 inches and use Super Retina XDR OLED technology, offering sharp and vivid displays.
Refresh Rate
Both devices have a 60 Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals for everyday use such as browsing, video playback, and gaming.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e camera
Camera quality affects how detailed your photos and selfies are. Both phones share similarities in front camera resolution but differ in main camera capability.
Front Camera
Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 17e feature a 12 megapixel front camera, suitable for selfies and video calls with clear image quality.
Main Camera Detail
The iPhone 12 has a 12 megapixel main camera, supporting everyday photography needs. The iPhone 17e offers a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail and better suited to users who prioritise high-resolution photography.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e size and design
Several practical features differ between these iPhones, including connectors, dimensions, and weight, which can influence daily handling and accessories.
Connector Type
This affects compatibility with chargers and accessories depending on your existing setup.
Physical Size
Both phones share the same screen size but have slightly different physical measurements. The iPhone 12 measures 146.7 mm in height and 71.5 mm in width, with a depth of 7.4 mm. The iPhone 17e is 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, and 7.8 mm deep. These small differences may affect grip and pocket fit.
Weight
The iPhone 12 weighs 164 g, while the iPhone 17e is slightly heavier at 169 g. This difference is minor but could be noticeable when holding the phone for extended periods.
Carrier and SIM Support
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks. Each device uses physical SIM and eSIM options, providing flexibility for choosing or changing mobile networks.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 or iPhone 17e: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £170, £433.69 less than the iPhone 17e
- you want a lighter build (162 g vs 170 g)
Buy the iPhone 17e if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 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 who bought the iPhone 12 often highlight how refurbished devices can feel like new. Reviews mention spotless condition, clean glass, and no scratches or dents. Many appreciate the smooth performance with the A14 Bionic chip, noting apps open quickly and multitasking works well. The battery is described as feeling new, especially when a new battery is selected. Several customers mention the phone running the latest iOS version and being ready to use straight away. Overall, buyers find the iPhone 12 reliable for everyday use with a reasonable price and good condition.
Buyers of the iPhone 17e praise its condition as well. They describe it as feeling like a brand new phone, with battery health at 100 percent lifespan. The size is noted as comfortable and setup is simple. Some customers mention no marks or scratches, and the phone working well with no problems. A few reviews mention screen condition concerns, but most feedback focuses on the phone's quality and fair price. The iPhone 17e suits those who want a larger battery, more memory, and higher camera resolution.
In summary, the iPhone 12 appeals to those seeking a dependable, well-priced device for everyday use with smooth performance. The iPhone 17e suits users wanting more storage, memory, and camera detail, along with longer battery life and USB-C connectivity.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17e FAQs
iPhone 12 vs 17e comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 is cheaper refurbished, from £170 compared with £603.69 for the iPhone 17e.
The iPhone 17e has a bigger battery: 4005 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The iPhone 17e has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17e is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17e adds more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (4005 mAh vs 2815 mAh) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £433.69 more (from £603.69 vs £170).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 17e in 256GB and 512GB.
