iPhone 12 Pro vs. 15 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

[MacRumors]

While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always groundbreaking, new features can begin to stack up over multiple generations. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a three-year-old iPhone 12 Pro.

If you are still using an iPhone 12 Pro and are considering upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro when it launches later this year, we have put together a list of features to expect below. The list includes major changes introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro, as well as new features rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro.

• A17 chip vs. A14 chip: The 5nm-based A16 chip in the iPhone 14 Pro is already up to 36% faster than the A14 chip in the iPhone 12 Pro, according to the Geekbench 6 benchmark. The iPhone 15 Pro will be equipped with the A17 chip, which is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's latest 3nm process for even faster performance and improved power efficiency over the previous generation.
  
• USB-C port: With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple is finally expected to switch from Lightning to a USB-C port. This change will provide a more universal charging standard and allow for faster wired data transfer speeds.
  
• Titanium frame: Like the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have a titanium frame instead of stainless steel. The back glass and display bezels are also expected to have slightly curved edges.
  
• Dynamic Island: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped area surrounding the Face ID sensors and front camera. The Dynamic Island displays system alerts and integrates with iOS 16's Live Activities feature to show live NBA scores, the status of an Uber ride, and more.
  
• Always On display option: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple introduced an always-on display option that dims the entire Lock Screen, but still shows the time and date, widgets, wallpaper, and notifications. Once you raise the iPhone, tap the screen, or press the side button, the display returns to normal brightness.
  
• Brighter display: The iPhone 14 Pro's display is up to 200 nits brighter indoors compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, and offers up to 2,000 nits of brightness outdoors. The increased brightness should carry over to the iPhone 15 Pro.
  
• ProMotion: Introduced on the iPhone 13 Pro, ProMotion allows for a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother appearing content and scrolling.
  
• Thinner bezels: Similar to the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have even thinner bezels around the display.
  
• Longer battery life: Already, the iPhone 14 Pro lasts up to 23 hours for offline video playback, compared to 17 hours for the iPhone 12 Pro. With components like the A17 chip and the LiDAR Scanner expected to be more power efficient this year, the iPhone 15 Pro could have even longer battery life.
  
• Numerous camera improvements: iPhone 12 Pro users upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro will get access to a wide range of camera upgrades, including a 48-megapixel Wide lens, an upgraded front camera with autofocus, increased optical zoom, sensor-shift image stabilization, Macro mode, Cinematic mode, Action mode, ProRes video recording, Photographic Styles, and more.
  
• eSIM only in U.S.: Apple removed the physical SIM card tray from all iPhone 14 models sold in the U.S., meaning the devices work with eSIMs only. The devices are still compatible with physical SIM cards in other countries.
  
• Increased RAM: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with an increased 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB for the iPhone 12 Pro. Increased RAM can benefit multitasking on the iPhone by allowing more apps to be open in the background simultaneously without reloading.
  
• Wi-Fi 6E: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which supports the 6GHz band for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference compared to standard Wi-Fi 6.
  
• Emergency SOS via Satellite: iPhone 14 models can connect to Globalstar satellites, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free for two years after activation, and is currently available in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the U.K., with more countries to follow later this month.
  
• Crash Detection: New for the iPhone 14 series, Crash Detection is designed to detect severe car crashes and contact emergency services via Emergency SOS if the user does not respond. The feature is enabled by default.
  
• 5G improvements: iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X70 modem for improved 5G performance.
  
• 1TB option: Starting with the iPhone 13 Pro, Apple introduced a 1TB storage option.

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 15 series in September as usual, and the devices could have additional features that have yet... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: iPhone 12 Pro vs. 15 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

 

[I7guy]

I have an Xs max and the iPhone 15 is a huge upgrade.

 

[fourthtunz]

Thats a lot but can I take a fake photo of the moon?

 

[Matsamoto]

Using a 12 PM and I’m gonna wait for 16 PM or most likely 17 PM🙂

 

[dannyyankou]

I might wait until 16 Pro, especially if under screen Touch ID and camera come to it. iPhones last a lot longer these days.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

🚨 Breaking News: The biggest thing to happen to iPhone 15 since iPhone. The best of the best is yet to come. -Apple

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Agreed! I do want Apple not to release dull iPhone colors this year. It is time!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1636430993010704384

 

[contacos]

Using a 12 PM and I’m gonna wait for 16 PM or most likely 17 PM🙂

Same! The Instagrams of this world still work fine. I can’t see Apps having many improvements to justify spending 1,5k Euro on it. It’s still fluid. Only speaks for the 12 PM 😎

 

[szw-mapple fan]

The choice of 12 pro seems arbitrary. If you’re doing an article like this you might as well include the other pro iPhones in the comparison.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

The choice of 12 pro seems arbitrary. If you’re doing an article like this you might as well include the other pro iPhones in the comparison.

We will over time. We did so last year. X, 11 Pro, and 12 Pro vs. 14 Pro.

 

[JohnnyApple$eed]

And here I am typing on an iPhone 11ProMax, 64gb doing just fine.

In my mind, I want a “new” phone, but then I read comparisons specs and think “do I really need that stuff?” And as I get older (or wiser or crass), I realize what I have the device I bought for a grand better last me more than a few years, just like my Mac or any other computer.

That might be just me though.

 

[arkitect]

The choice of 12 pro seems arbitrary. If you’re doing an article like this you might as well include the other pro iPhones in the comparison.

Ah but wait!

This is just the start of a cunningly plotted series of articles…

Tomorrow?

iPhone 13 Pro vs. 15 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

These things just write themselves if using ChatGTP. 😉

******

Anyway, to keep it on topic. No upgrading for me… I'll wait 'til iPhone 17 before my 13 Mini is set aside.

 

[surfzen21]

The choice of 12 pro seems arbitrary. If you’re doing an article like this you might as well include the other pro iPhones in the comparison.

We will over time. We did so last year. X, 11 Pro, and 12 Pro vs. 14 Pro.

Since the 3 year upgrade cycle is a very popular one and might be the most popular time between upgrades this comparison seems like a good one to start with and not at all arbitrary.

I have an 11 which is a little long in the tooth for upgrade cycles. But I'm a rebel.

 

[wolfboy]

If you're going to do these early, at least go back and update the verbiage in the old articles once the phones come out, like in this iPhone 11 vs 14 one. It's still comparing it to the rumored iPhone 14 specs (even though they all turned out true)

iPhone 11 Pro vs. 14 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

With many customers choosing to upgrade their iPhone every two or three years nowadays, there are lots of iPhone 11 Pro users who might be interested...

www.macrumors.com

 

[nerdAFK]

Is it just me, or Apple simply can not provide compelling enough features within a 3-year timeline.

Even the 2017 iPhone X is still capable enough compared to the unreleased 2023 15 Pro Ultra Xtra Xtreme Max Plus

 

[coffeemilktea]

I'm still using an iPhone 11 Pro Max, and I might upgrade in another year or two... the 15 Pro seems interesting but somehow I don't really feel like it's a big enough upgrade to be really worthwhile. 😅

 

[Veinticinco]

What a pointless article, both content and timing-wise.

I have a 12 Pro and the only thing I'll be looking at during this 3rd year of ownership is a new battery when mine finally dips below 85%. I'll look at upgrading in a year or two (16) when the cumulative amount of incremental features like those listed here make it actually worth it.

 

[Infinite Vortex]

The iPhone 12 Pro is still a really good phone whichever way one looks at it and its still a lot of phone for what I need it for. The biggest things to come with the 15 Pro for me have to be the USB-C port and not needing to replace an ageing battery.

 

[gund1234]

I have an Xs max and the iPhone 15 is a huge upgrade.

people need to understand this, Apple is not designing iPhone 15 phone to encourage iPhone 14 owners to upgrade.

 

[CygnusTC]

How about an iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro comparison? LOL. My 8 Plus 256gb still going strong thanks to Apples superior engineering but I will need to replace it someday!

 

[satchmo]

I don’t ordinarily update for 4-5 years.

As a iPhone 12 mini owner, I may be tempted to if there’s a discounted iPhone 13 mini.

Maybe iPhone 13 Pro, but certainly not going to pay the rumoured even more expensive iPhone 15.

 

[gund1234]

Is it just me, or Apple simply can not provide compelling enough features within a 3-year timeline.

Even the 2017 iPhone X is still capable enough compared to the unreleased 2023 15 Pro Ultra Xtra Xtreme Max Plus

if iPhone X is working you don't need to upgrade, that is good thing, you save money.
i think Phones have evolved to MBP stage, you upgrade if your older device stops working, phones & laptops can do everything that most people want already.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I might wait until 16 Pro, especially if under screen Touch ID and camera come to it. iPhones last a lot longer these days.

Also Wifi 7. 6E is a weird stopgap.

Maybe by then I really will "no longer have to deal with a SIM card!" so it might actually be a viable option.

 

[StrollerEd]

I have a 12 Pro and the only thing I'll be looking at during this 3rd year of ownership is a new battery when mine finally dips below 85%. I'll look at upgrading in a year or two (16) when the cumulative amount of incremental features like those listed here make it actually worth it.

The iPhone 12 Pro is still a really good phone whichever way one looks at it and its still a lot of phone for what I need it for. The biggest things to come with the 15 Pro for me have to be the USB-C port and not needing to replace an ageing battery.

As a happy iPhone 12 Pro owner, I was pleased to have this check list, especially with a current battery life of 86%.

The price and the availability of service provider deals will be key to decision making but that cost of battery replacement will be in the equation.

As for the enhance in features, better battery life is always good; the 48-megapixel Wide lens and other camera enhancements are inviting; but, I'm not itching for the USB-C port as that will mean yet more replacement cables.

 

[gaximus]

I’m curious how a solid state mute button would work. I love being able to reach into my pocket and ensure the phone is muted without having to take it out, great for meetings and such.