iPhone 16 vs 12

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 16 is supported until Sep 2031 at $11.05 per month of safe use, while the 12 runs out in Jan 2029 ($15.94/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 16 59 · 12 72 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 16 $699

Safe to buy$11.05/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

OnePlus 12 $500

Buy with care$15.94/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20272029

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 5012 100

The 12's screen is the better one — 6.82-inch ltpo amoled proxdr, qhd+ (3168×1440), 1–120hz, up to 4500 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone 16 9212 92

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera

iPhone 16 6212 79

The 12 has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

iPhone 16 5112 88

5,400mAh vs 3,561mAh — the 12 lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 7512 37

The iPhone 16 is supported until Sep 2031 — 32 months longer than the 12.

Value

iPhone 16 5912 72

Overall value goes to the 12 at $15.94 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16	12
Price (street)	$699	$500
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED ProXDR, QHD+ (3168×1440), 1–120Hz, up to 4500 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A18	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM	8GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB
Battery	3,561 mAh	5,400 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	80W SUPERVOOC wired (50W in North America), 50W wireless
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 64MP periscope 3x
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm	164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm
Weight	170 g	220 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP65
Supported until	Sep 2031	Jan 2029

iPhone 16 full verdict →12 full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.