iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12 — which should you pick in 2026?
The iPhone 12 is the more sensible choice in 2026: it has 5G, an OLED display, MagSafe and the newer A14 chip. The iPhone 11 with its LCD and A13 chip is cheaper (the current difference depends on condition and capacity — see the offer below), but lacks 5G and MagSafe. Unless you're keen to save significantly, the 12 will last longer and is better prepared for future iOS updates.
The iPhone 12 is the more sensible choice in 2026: it has 5G, an OLED display, MagSafe and the newer A14 chip. The iPhone 11 with its LCD and A13 chip is cheaper (the current difference depends on condition and capacity — see the offer below), but lacks 5G and MagSafe. Unless you're keen to save significantly, the 12 will last longer and is better prepared for future iOS updates.
In this article
- Why these two models?
- Design and display
- What you specifically get with the iPhone 12:
- Performance
- Camera
- Comparison of key specs
- Battery and software support
- Choose the iPhone 11 if:
- Choose the iPhone 12 if:
- Our tip
Why these two models?
The iPhone 11 (2019) and iPhone 12 (2020) are, in 2026, the two most affordable iPhones that still receive iOS updates. In pre-owned condition they typically sit in the 5,500–8,500 Kč range, making them a great entry point into the Apple ecosystem. There are, however, several notable technical differences worth knowing.
Design and display
The iPhone 11 has rounded edges and an aluminium frame in the spirit of the 6/6s/7/8/XR generations. Its display is a 6.1" LCD Liquid Retina HD panel with a resolution of 1792 × 828 px. The iPhone 12 brought a major redesign — flat edges like the iPhone 4 — and a 6.1" OLED Super Retina XDR display (2532 × 1170 px). The difference in sharpness and contrast is immediately visible.
What you specifically get with the iPhone 12:
- OLED display with deeper blacks, higher contrast and greater sharpness (460 ppi vs. 326 ppi on the iPhone 11).
- Ceramic Shield — front glass with 4× better drop resistance.
- MagSafe — a magnetic ring for chargers, wallets and mounts.
- 5G connectivity (Sub-6 GHz) — usable with most Czech carriers.
Performance
The iPhone 11 runs on the A13 Bionic chip, the iPhone 12 on the A14 Bionic (the first 5nm chip of its kind). The performance difference in everyday use is minimal — both generations handle iOS 18, social media, streaming and everyday games without hesitation. Neither supports Apple Intelligence (which requires an A17 Pro or A18).
Camera
Both models have a dual 12 MP camera (wide + ultrawide) and Night Mode. The iPhone 12 has better HDR processing (Smart HDR 3 vs. 2), Dolby Vision video and Deep Fusion on all lenses. The difference in daylight photos is minimal; in the evening and indoors, the iPhone 12 delivers cleaner detail.
Comparison of key specs
| Spec | iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12 |
|---|---|
| Chip | A13 Bionic vs. A14 Bionic |
| Display | 6.1" LCD vs. 6.1" OLED |
| Resolution | 326 ppi vs. 460 ppi |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE vs. 5G |
| MagSafe | No vs. Yes |
| Pre-owned price (from) | you'll find the current prices of both models in the live offer below |
Battery and software support
The iPhone 11 has a physically larger battery, while the iPhone 12's slimmer design means a smaller one. In practice, the iPhone 11 lasts roughly 1–2 hours longer. Both models receive iOS 18 and we expect support at least until 2027 for the iPhone 11 and 2028 for the iPhone 12.
Choose the iPhone 11 if:
- You're after the cheapest way into the Apple ecosystem (from the current pre-owned catalogue price).
- Maximum battery life matters to you.
- 5G and an OLED display aren't important to you.
Choose the iPhone 12 if:
- You want an OLED display and a modern flat-edge design.
- You plan to use 5G or MagSafe accessories.
- You prefer longer software support (an extra year).
Our tip
If the current price difference isn't an issue for you, the iPhone 12 is worth it — OLED, MagSafe and 5G make it more future-proof. For budget-conscious buyers, the iPhone 11 is still an excellent choice, backed by a 2-year warranty at iLoveServis.