iPhone 12 vs iPhone XS
43.9Performance30
32.6Display29.7
33.5Camera35.3
24.2Battery21.3
89.3Features73.3
13 spec wins — iPhone 120 spec wins — iPhone XS
InnoReviews verdict
iPhone 12 wins this phone face-off, 40.2 to 33.6, pulling ahead mainly in features (+16) and performance (+14). iPhone XS still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the iPhone 12
- Stronger performance score: 44 vs 30
- Stronger features score: 89 vs 73
- 100% higher Wireless charging: 15 W vs 8 W
- 92% higher Peak brightness: 1,200 nits vs 625 nits
- 89% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,080 vs 1,100
- Lower launch price: $799 vs $999
Reasons to pick the iPhone XS
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Display
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 ″+5% | 5.8 ″ |
| Panel type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532x1170 | 2436x1125 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 458 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits+92% | 625 nits |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic |
| AnTuTu 10 | 950,000+32%Top 51% | 720,000Top 68% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,080+89%Top 28% | 1,100Top 63% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,900+75%Top 35% | 2,800Top 67% |
| RAM (max) | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | 64GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Storage type | NVMe | NVMe |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Main aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 12 MP | — |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | — | 2 x |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Front camera | 12 MP+71% | 7 MP |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAh+6% | 2,658 mAh |
| Wired charging | 20 W+33% | 15 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W+100% | 8 W |
Design
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 164 g+7% | 177 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mm+4% | 7.7 mm |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
Connectivity
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 14 | iOS 12 |
| OS update pledge | 6 years | 6 years |
Audio
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |