Upgrading from a 2019 iPhone
Apple upgrade advice used to be relatively straightforward. Just get the new iPhone! Or skip a year and get the next one. But Apple has been expanding its phone lineup, and this year, there are more options than ever before. Too many options? Let's break them down with Pros&Cons.
If it's not immediately apparent, Android users need not read any further - this article is for iPhone owners looking to upgrade to one of the new iPhone 12's.
There are four new models in Series 12, ranging from the 5.4" mini to the 6.7" Pro Max. They are spread over 54 different SKUs, which are the different combinations of models, storage capacities, and colors.
For context, back in 2018, the number of available SKUs was 36. While in 2017, there were just 20. And with more choice, it's become more difficult than ever to pick the right iPhone to upgrade to. We're here to help.
We went through Apple's catalog of devices back to 2017, that's when the iPhone 8 and X came out, and we considered the pros and cons of upgrading to each of the four iPhone 12 models. There's no single right answer. It depends on your current iPhone experience and what you would want out of your next iPhone - a particular feature or a new size. We've tried to list your options, but the decision will ultimately be yours to make.
This page covers possible upgrade paths if you have a 2019 iPhone, the next page deals with iPhones from 2018 and 2017.
Before you dive in, check out the shared upgrades list below as all four iPhone 12 models enjoy a set of common advantages over their predecessors.
iPhone 12 series shared upgrdes
- 5G connectivity (+mmWave in the US)
- All 12-series phones use OLED displays
- Ceramic Shield with better drop resistance
- Night mode for the selfie and ultra wide cameras
- Dolby Vision videos (4K/60 fps on Pros, 4K/30 fps on vanilla)
- LiDAR for the Pros
- Faster MagSafe wireless charging
- Improved water resistance
We won't be repeating the upgrades above so keep them in mind as you check out your upgrade options. Also, don't forget that all the new iPhone 12's come without a charger or headphones in the box. That's definitely a setback to consider for all upgrades this year.
Who is this for? Upgrading to the top iPhone model every year is not for everyone, but if you want the latest and greatest, this is it. The Pro Max got some exclusive upgrades for the main camera module, so if you shoot tons of photos and videos, the new Pro Max will deliver better quality. The chipset is incrementally faster, but more importantly, this year, the Pro duo gets 6 GB of RAM instead of 4 GB, a boon for multitasking. Also, 5G promises to be a major leap in wireless data speeds.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- 7% larger screen with Dolby Vision
- 18% faster CPU, more RAM (from 4 GB to 6 GB)
- 10% faster GPU
- Larger main sensor with brighter aperture, new OIS, LiDAR
- Longer telephoto lens (65mm vs. 52mm)
- 7% smaller battery (3,969mAh to 3,687mAh)
Who is this for? Another major upgrade year over year - other than the telephoto camera and LiDAR, this phone is identical to the 12 Pro. This includes using the same OLED and with a higher resolution and HDR10. Basically, this is a Pro for $200 less, as long as you don't use the tele camera often - if you don't, get this one. If you do, skip to the next section.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- OLED display, Dolby Vision
- 40% higher pixel density due to higher resolution
- 23% faster CPU
- 10% faster GPU
- 9% smaller battery (3,110mAh down to 2,815mAh)
- Measurable 20-30% shorter runtimes in on-screen tasks
Who is this for? You are fine with your phone's size but you want the new design, the new chipset, the larger screen, 5G even? Well, going directly from 11 Pro to 12 Pro might make all the sense then. Just remember, there is also the iPhone 12 which might be the better deal if the 2x optical zoom is not a make or break for you.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- 7% larger screen with Dolby Vision
- 18% faster CPU
- 12% faster GPU
- LiDAR Scanner
- Softer output from the telephoto camera
- 7% smaller battery (3,046mAh to 2,815mAh)
- Measurable 7% shorter runtimes in on-screen tasks
Who is this for? This year, the vanilla model is especially well rounded. Teardowns have revealed that it's the exact same hardware as the iPhone 12 Pro with one key exception - the Pro has a telephoto camera (and LiDAR too, though that's less impactful). So, scroll through your gallery and note how often zoomed-in photos appear. Count portrait shots, too, as the 52 mm lens is just right for that. The iPhone 12 has a slightly larger OLED with Dolby Vision and all of the lineup's other bells and whistles, so would you really miss the telephoto cam?
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- Noticeably lighter (164g vs. 188g)
- 7% larger screen with Dolby Vision
- 18% faster CPU
- 12% faster GPU
- Aluminum frame instead of stainless steel (subjective)
- You lose the telephoto camera
- Lower max brightness (800nits to 625nits)
- 7% smaller battery (3,046mAh to 2,815mAh)
Who is this for? Were larger phones really any better, or was there simply a lack of a capable petite flagship? The new SE wasn't it, but the iPhone 12 mini harkens back to the days when Steve Jobs praised phones that can be used single-handed. Moving from the iPhone 11 Pro to the iPhone 12 mini is not an upgrade per se, but it may allow you to rediscover your lost love of small phones.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- Much smaller and lighter phone (135g vs. 188g)
- 18% faster CPU
- 12% faster GPU
- You lose the telephoto camera
- 15% smaller screen, lower max brightness (800nits to 625nits)
- 27% smaller battery (3,046mAh to 2,227mAh)
- Aluminum frame instead of stainless steel (subjective)
Who is this for? iPhones have been around for over a decade, but some people still haven't owned one. If that was you last year, picking up an iPhone 11 as a relatively cheap and safe way to test out the platform - and if you found that you absolutely love it - then you may want to go all-in and get the most capable iPhone of this generation, the 12 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- Much larger screen, 22% more surface area, higher typical and peak brightness
- 23% faster CPU, more RAM (from 4 GB to 6 GB)
- 10% faster GPU
- Larger main sensor with brighter aperture, new OIS, LiDAR
- Telephoto camera
- Larger battery (3,110mAh to 3,687mAh)
- Stainless steel frame instead of aluminum (subjective)
- Bulkier, weighs more (194g to 228g)
Who is this for? A straightforward case of buyer's remorse - you got the new SE for its size, not its features, a compromise you were willing to make. Then the iPhone 12 mini happened - a small phone that requires no compromise. The chunky top and bottom bezels of the SE are even more of an eyesore than the notch, and with them gone, the mini manages to fit a larger display in a smaller body.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- Smaller, lighter phone (148g to 135g)
- 18% larger screen, 46% higher pixel density, higher peak brightness
- 25% faster CPU, more RAM (3 GB to 4 GB)
- 40% faster GPU
- Ultra wide-angle camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- Larger battery (1,821mAh to 2,227mAh)
- Face ID
- You lose the fingerprint reader
The cost calculations assume that you'll sell your old phone and that you're looking at a SIM-free device with base storage. Apple's own trade-in program is a safe bet and the least amount of hassle. However, note that Apple offers the same amount of money for a 64 GB and a 256 GB phone.
So, if you do have a device with more than base storage, it's probably worth the hassle to go through eBay or a similar market place. Even with a base model, you're likely to get more money than Apple offers, so the upgrade can be even cheaper at the expense of some extra effort on your part.
Upgrading from a 2018 or 2017 iPhone
This page covers upgrade options for those with a 2018 iPhone (XR, XS, or XS Max) or a 2017 model (8, 8 Plus, or X). If your 2-year contract is ending or you just held onto your current phone a bit longer, this is the page to be at. Those doing yearly upgrades should check the previous page.
If you've got an iPhone that's more than 3 years old, then unfortunately, this is outside the scope of this guide. We suggest you compare directly our test results in the respective reviews.
We will again, remind you of the shared upgrades list below as all four iPhone 12 models enjoy a set of common advantages over all of their predecessors.
iPhone 12 series shared upgrdes
- 5G connectivity (+mmWave in the US)
- All 12-series phones use OLED displays
- Ceramic Shield with better drop resistance
- Night mode for the selfie and ultra wide cameras
- Dolby Vision videos (4K/60 fps on Pros, 4K/30 fps on vanilla)
- LiDAR for the Pros
- Faster MagSafe wireless charging
- Improved water resistance
We won't be repeating the stuff above so keep them in mind as you check out your upgrade options. Also, don't forget that all the new iPhone 12's come without a charger or headphones in the box. That's definitely a setback to consider for all upgrades this year.
Who is this for? You want Apple's top phone, but upgrading every year is too much - this is especially true for those who sign a contract. The Pro Max gets exclusive camera upgrades that make the two-year gap in the camera progress feel even bigger. This is Apple's largest phone yet so be aware of that if the XS Max already felt a bit too big.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- 7% larger display with Dolby Vision, higher brightness
- 50% faster CPU, more RAM (from 4 GB to 6 GB)
- 33% faster GPU
- Larger main sensor with brighter aperture, new OIS, LiDAR
- Longer telephoto lens (52 mm to 65 mm)
- Ultra wide-angle camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- 16% larger battery (3,174mAh vs. 3,687mAh)
- Noticeably heavier (208g to 228g)
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? A like-for-like upgrade on a two-year schedule - if your contract is up, there's no real downside to this upgrade path. This one got a bit larger (5.8" screen to 6.1"), though you'd have to compare the two side by side to notice. If you were tempted by the XS Max but decided against it because of its size or cost (or both), then chances are the new 12 Pro is still the better option compared to the 12 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- 7% larger screen with Dolby Vision, higher max brightness (625nits vs. 800nits)
- 53% faster CPU, more RAM (4 GB to 6 GB)
- 35% faster GPU
- LiDAR Scanner
- Ultra wide-angle camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- 6% larger battery (2,658 mAh vs. 2,815 mAh)
- Measurable 20% longer runtime in on-screen tasks
- Slightly heavier phone (177g to 189g)
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? Some might disagree that going from an 11 Pro to the vanilla 12 is a worthwhile upgrade, but those with a two-year-old iPhone XS will see the 12 in a much more positive light. You trade the telephoto camera for an ultra-wide. That aside, in 2020, the vanilla model is just as good as the Pro. This is certainly above an "iPhone XR 2020" don't look at it as a downgrade.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- 7% larger screen with Dolby Vision
- 53% faster CPU
- 35% faster GPU
- Ultra wide-angle camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- 6% larger battery (2,658mAh vs. 2,815mAh)
- Measurable 20% longer runtime in on-screen tasks
- You are losing the telephoto camera
- Aluminum frame instead of stainless steel (subjective)
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? The gap between the XR and XS was fairly big, but this year the vanilla model is quite close to the Pro. So, even though you're getting the same class of phone two years later (what counts as a mid-ranger in Apple's line-up), this still feels like a step up. You may be tempted by the Pro, though you'll have to pay quite a premium for that, especially since you're trading in a fairly old mid-range device.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- OLED panel with Dolby Vision, 41% higher pixel density, higher peak brightness
- 64% faster CPU, more RAM (3 GB to 4 GB)
- 36% faster GPU
- Ultra wide-angle camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? Depending on how much you saved over the last couple of years, you may want to jump two generations and one class forward. Going from the XR to the 12 Pro Max is quite a leap. Still, if you found yourself limited by the capabilities of the XR and plan to keep the iPhone 12 Pro Max for three years, then the extra cost can be justified by the knowledge you won't run into hardware limitations again.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- Much larger OLED screen with Dolby Vision, 22% more surface area, 40% higher pixel density with higher resolution and higher max brightness
- 64% faster CPU, double the RAM (3 GB to 6 GB)
- 36% faster GPU
- Larger main sensor with brighter aperture, new OIS, LiDAR
- Telephoto and ultra wide cameras
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- 25% larger battery (2,942mAh vs 3,687mAh)
- Stainless steel frame instead of aluminum (subjective)
- Bulkier, noticeably heavier (194g to 228g)
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? The iPhone X held its own over the last three years. The iPhone 12 Pro can similarly last three years without feeling too old. Especially now that Apple is on board the 5G train and has polished its triple camera setup. Upgrading every three years instead of two (or one) is quite doable, as long as you pick the right phone. And this is just it unless you wanted a bigger screen this time around.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- 7% larger screen with Dolby Vision, higher max brightness
- CPU is almost twice as fast (+90%), double the RAM (3 GB to 6 GB)
- GPU is twice as fast
- LiDAR Scanner
- Ultra wide camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- Measurable 20% longer runtimes in on-screen tasks
- Slightly heavier phone (174g to 189g)
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? The iPhone X in 2017 launched at $1,000, same as the 12 Pro this year. But it has not been an easy three years, especially this last one, so saving $200 by going with the vanilla iPhone 12 makes a lot of sense. While getting a vanilla 11 last year would have felt like a downgrade, not so much with the 12 - besides missing out on a telephoto camera, this phone has a better screen, chipset, and battery life.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- 7% larger screen with Dolby Vision, higher peak brightness
- CPU is almost twice as fast (+90%), more RAM (3 GB to 4 GB)
- GPU is twice as fast
- Ultra wide camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- Aluminum frame instead of stainless steel (subjective)
- You are losing the telephoto camera
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? When you bought the 8 Plus, it was a flagship. Not the top dog, but still a flagship. However, its design felt old even in 2017, and its hardware is starting to show its age. The iPhone X was the cooler model certainly. But you felt no need to go all out back then, there's no need for that either. The iPhone 12 is just that good. It will give you a larger screen, much faster chipset, and other enhancements to make this upgrade worth the wait.
A note about Face ID vs. Touch ID: with everyone being forced to wear a mask, face unlock has become almost impossible to use. We sorely miss the fingerprint readers on the iPhones. Losing the functionality is not a deal-breaker on its own as you are trading that for a bezel-less design, but it's something you'll need to adjust to once you get your new phone. And we can't help but wished Apple implemented an under-display reader just like the Android camp does.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- Smaller and lighter phone (202g to 164g), smaller bezels
- 8% larger OLED display with Dolby Vision, 15% higher pixel density and peak brightness
- CPU is twice as fast, more RAM (3 GB to 4 GB)
- GPU is over three times faster
- Ultra wide camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- You are losing the telephoto camera
- You are losing the fingerprint reader
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
Who is this for? The iPhone 12 mini is all about the size. The iPhone 8 was the smallest of its generation, but it's a mid-sized phone compared to the new 12 mini. That's with a larger, much sharper OLED display with HDR to boot. Those are the benefits of a modern design. You get an ultra-wide camera and double the computing power, so the mini will change the way you take photos, browse the web and play games. As an added bonus, this is the cheapest iPhone 12, so you get a major upgrade without the guilt of breaking the bank. See the note above about using Face ID while wearing a mask vs. the trusty fingerprint reader.
- The iPhone 12 lineup shared upgrades (top of page)
- Smaller and lighter phone (148g to 135g), smaller bezels
- 18% larger OLED display, 46% higher pixel density, HDR, higher peak brightness
- CPU is twice as fast, double the RAM (2 GB to 4 GB)
- GPU is over three times faster
- Ultra wide camera
- Better selfie camera (7 MP to 12 MP)
- 22% larger battery (1,821mAh vs. 2,227mAh)
- You are losing the fingerprint reader
- Newer models no longer come with 3D Touch
The cost calculations assume that you'll sell your old phone and that you're looking at a SIM-free device with base storage. Apple's own trade-in program is a safe bet and the least amount of hassle. However, note that Apple offers the same amount of money for a 64 GB and a 256 GB phone.
So, if you do have a device with more than base storage, it's probably worth the hassle to go through eBay or a similar market place. Even with a base model, you're likely to get more money than Apple offers, so the upgrade can be even cheaper at the expense of some extra effort on your part.
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