Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Other Is it worth to go from iphone 11 to 12?

T

Tony01

macrumors member
Original poster
May 25, 2019
38
13
I have an iPhone 11 128gb and I'm thinking about migrating to the new iPhone 12 128gb but I have some concerns.

How is the battery life? Is it better? Is it worse? I know that iPhone 12 has a smaller battery.
Is the oled panel difference visible comparing to LCD?

Thanks
 
Tony01 said:
I have an iPhone 11 128gb and I'm thinking about migrating to the new iPhone 12 128gb but I have some concerns.

How is the battery life? Is it better? Is it worse? I know that iPhone 12 has a smaller battery.
Is the oled panel difference visible comparing to LCD?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Battery life should be worse for the iPhone 12, not so much because of the smaller battery, but also because you are going to a higher resolution display. You are basically getting a better display, 5g and improved cameras (though I can't really say how much), but overall, I feel it's not worth upgrading.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lpc2 and ouimetnick
It is my understanding that the battery is slightly better, along with the display. If you have to come up with reasons to justify a nominal upgrade, that is a red flag that there isn't much difference. If you have the itch to upgrade, it might be wise to steer clear of the phone forum, so that the itch doesn't get worse.

Some people upgrade every year regardless. If that isn't you, I would wait for more significant differences.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lpc2, ouimetnick, Fred Zed and 1 other person
For me it made sense but that’s because the increase in screen size for the Max series was worth it (I use my phone virtually all day nowadays for work)
5G is a nice boost but not reason alone
 
In general not worth upgrading every year.

The iPhone 12 has two features that may tip you towards an upgrade:
1) OLED screen (if you use dark mode that will make a huge difference)
2) 5G (in case you live in an urban area and need the speed)

For most people that answer will still be no. I’m in a 2-year upgrade cycle myself for the last 4 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobby68 and bklement
If you go to the iPhone 12 pro, huge difference.
After you go with a Pro phie, imho you don't have to upgrade as often. ☺️
 
ruslan120 said:
For me it made sense but that’s because the increase in screen size for the Max series was worth it (I use my phone virtually all day nowadays for work)
5G is a nice boost but not reason alone
Click to expand...
Seriously, you really see a difference/real benefits in a 0.2 inch increase size ?
 
iPhones nowadays aren't improved enough in one generation to warrant buying the next model. Sometimes they go backwards in some ways too.
It now takes at least 3 generations to begin to see a little improvement.
Apl is going to make a new iPhone every year for eternity. That doesn't mean people have to buy one every year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lpc2 and MarkX
now i see it said:
iPhones nowadays aren't improved enough in one generation to warrant buying the next model. Sometimes they go backwards in some ways too.
It now takes at least 3 generations to begin to see a little improvement.
Apl is going to make a new iPhone every year for eternity. That doesn't mean people have to buy one every year.
Click to expand...
Agreed, I went from an X to a 12 Pro and even though I am happy with my purchase I really don't see much of a difference besides the camera..
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ram65
I only upgraded from the 11 to 12 because I found the 11 too heavy and the dimensions on the 12 are smaller. It’s about the same width as the 11 Pro and significantly lighter.
 
X or XS to 11 I would say it was a huge jump in battery life.

11 to 12 has been "nice" but nothing dramatic besides better camera.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ram65
Skipped the 12PM update entirely, holding onto my still amazing 11PM for what will be a record length for an iPhone until the 13 this coming fall.

Not worth the upgrade.
 
I have an 11 and I'm skipping the 12. For me the benefits of the 12 are:

  • Slightly smaller size
  • Slightly less weight
  • OLED screen
  • New design
  • Marginally updated cameras
While all of these are nice to have, none of them are musts for me in my daily usage. The biggest draw for me was the OLED screen, but after spending some time comparing my wife's 12 mini (she upgraded from a 7) with my 11, I honestly don't see the massive difference I was expecting. Sure, the blacks are definitely nicer and colors seem richer, but it's nothing so substantial that I feel I am missing out by not having an OLED screen.

I've decided to wait until next year and see what happens, but for now I'm still very happy with my 11.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fixxtr, MisterMillz and helloapple1
I'm sticking with my 11 Pro Max for now. I love the 12's square edges but that's not enough to justify giving up my 11, that's working so perfectly for me, and spending extra $$. 5G is nowhere near ready in northern NJ either. So I'll stand pat for this one and see what the 13 looks like.
 
Normally it wouldn’t be worth it upgrading only 1 generation, it in this case 11 to 12 is a very big upgrade. Along the lines of 3GS to 4, 4S to 5 and 7 to X. These sort of upgrades don’t come along very often now, so it’s definitely worth it in this case. Also I imagine the next one will be very incremental over the 12, so might as well go for the significant upgrade now

The battery life is better than the XR. I don’t know about the 11, but I doubt it’s a hugely significant battery difference either way
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: helloapple1
5G.
Camera is a nice bump.
Has a better feel in my hands. IMO.
Faster but most average people could never tell.

IMO worth the upgrade if financially feasible.
 
I would say no. 5G, OLED, and minor speed improvements just don't justify the upgrade. If you want to upgrade though, that's ultimately up to you. If it was me I wouldn't. I'm still keeping my 11 Pro Max another year (or two).
 
I'm happy I upgraded, but only did so because I actually went from an 11 to a 12 mini. The way the phone operates doesn't feel different at all. Even the screen isn't something I really notice being much different. Just mainly wanted to go back to a small phone. And I thought the new body design was interesting, and loved the blue color. I actually thought the rounded edges and curved screen on the prior models was nicer, but I often use a skin on the phone and it was near impossible to apply those with that design. Not an issue now. I will say the battery life difference is definitely noticeable, though. The 11 was just a total champ. But my 11 also acted funny much of the time and was often not responsive for some reason. Haven't had any issues with the 12 mini in that regard. Battery life is perfectly adequate with the mini 95% of the time. Haven't noticed any major benefit with 5G, but I spend almost all my time at home on wifi. I am hoping to keep the 12 mini for at least 2 years and probably longer. Prior to the 11, I had a 6S+ for well over 4 years I think. Ultimately, I wouldn't think switching from the 11 to 12 would be worth it. Only do it if you simply enjoy having the latest model. Or if maybe you think you'd prefer the new body design. If so, go for it.
 
My 2 cents: a single generation upgrade is almost never worth it, unless there is some specific new feature on the newer phone that you need to have, like 5G for example, or a new form factor that you really like. Otherwise a single generation upgrade isn’t going to offer much noticeable difference in your day to day use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Violet_Antelope and Acronyc
the differences for all phones these days year on year is really camera....android phones are no different year on year apart from better cameras

you will likely use your 11 the same way as the 12 unless better camera specs are that important to you.

even S20 ultra to s21 ultra the main improvements are just camera based.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back