iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: Which Used iPhone to Buy?

The iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 question comes up constantly with budget buyers, because these two phones sit right next to each other on almost every used listing. They have the same 6.1-inch screen size, a dual camera on the back, Face ID and a very similar feel in the hand. The gap between them in price is usually smaller than the gap between their generations.

So the useful question is not which phone is better on paper. It is whether the specific iPhone 12 in front of you is worth the extra money over the specific iPhone 11 you could buy instead.

The iPhone 11 uses an LCD panel that Apple calls Liquid Retina. The iPhone 12 moved to an OLED panel, which Apple calls Super Retina XDR. You notice this immediately when you hold them side by side. Blacks on the 12 look truly black, text is sharper at the same size, and HDR video looks noticeably better. The 11 is perfectly readable, and some people even find LCD more comfortable at low brightness, but it looks a generation older next to the 12.

The 12 also has thinner borders around the screen and flat sides, while the 11 has rounded edges and is slightly thicker and heavier. If you watch a lot of video or read for long periods, the OLED screen is the strongest reason to stretch to the 12.

There is a practical downside. An OLED replacement screen generally costs more than an LCD one, and cheap aftermarket OLED panels vary a lot in quality. If you are rough on phones, factor in what a cracked screen would cost on each model before deciding.

The iPhone 11 runs the A13 Bionic and the iPhone 12 runs the A14 Bionic. Both have 4GB of RAM according to their published specifications. In daily use, messaging, maps, banking apps and social media feel smooth on both. The difference shows up over the coming years, as newer apps and system updates ask more of the hardware.

The 12 supports 5G and the 11 does not. In Pakistan, 5G depends on operator rollout and your own SIM and package, so check your network's current coverage before treating it as a real benefit. If you plan to keep the phone for several years, 5G support is a small form of future-proofing rather than something you will necessarily use on day one.

The 12 also added MagSafe, the magnetic ring on the back that holds MagSafe chargers, wallets and stands. It is convenient, but it is an accessory ecosystem, not a reason on its own. Both phones charge through Lightning, not USB-C, so your existing Lightning cables will work with either.

Both phones are on Apple's iOS 26 compatibility list, and both appear on the list Apple published for the iOS 27 preview. That matters, because banking and payment apps eventually stop supporting older iOS versions. Apple does not announce in advance when a model will be dropped, but the 12 is a year newer, so it is reasonable to expect it to stay on the update list at least as long as the 11.

Do not buy either phone assuming it will get every new feature. Some features require newer chips, and Apple Intelligence is not available on either of these models. Our guide to iPhones no longer supported explains what happens once a phone falls off the list.

On a used iPhone 11, check these first:

• Battery health. Many 11s on the market are on their second or third battery, and a weak battery is the most common complaint. Our battery health check guide covers how to read the numbers.
• Screen replacement. Look for a "non-genuine display" or unknown part message in Settings, then General, then About. A replacement LCD can show duller colours or lose True Tone.
• Face ID. Test it several times. Drops and water exposure can disable it, and a phone without working Face ID is worth much less.

On a used iPhone 12, check these:

• Earpiece and call audio. Apple ran a service programme for some iPhone 12 and 12 Pro units with receiver sound problems. Make a real call and listen through the earpiece, not just the loudspeaker.
• Screen tint and burn-in. On a white or grey background at low brightness, look for a green or pink cast or faint marks that do not move.
• MagSafe and wireless charging. If you can, test on a charger, because back glass repairs can affect it.

On both, confirm the PTA status, test both cameras, check that the box IMEI matches the phone, and make sure the seller signs out of their Apple Account in front of you.

The iPhone 11 makes sense for a first iPhone, a phone for a parent or younger family member, or a backup handset. If the budget is fixed and the 11 you have found has a strong battery and an original screen, it is a sensible buy.

The iPhone 12 makes sense if you want the phone to last longer, care about screen quality, or want MagSafe accessories. A 12 with a tired battery can still be the better long-term buy if the price difference covers a battery replacement.

Storage matters on both. A 64GB unit fills up quickly once WhatsApp media and photos pile up. If you see a 128GB iPhone 11 and a 64GB iPhone 12 at similar prices, the 11 may suit a heavy photo user better. Our 128GB vs 256GB guide explains how to estimate what you need.

Prices move with stock, the dollar and PTA rules, so compare like with like on the same day: same storage, same PTA status, similar battery health and similar cosmetic grade. A non-PTA 12 and a PTA approved 11 are not a fair comparison, because one will work on a local SIM long term and the other may not. For model-specific price factors, see the iPhone 11 price in Lahore guide and the iPhone 12 price in Pakistan guide.

You can browse current units on the MacVault iPhone page, where listings show condition, PTA status and battery information when available. Send the two units you are weighing on WhatsApp and ask for today's price on both, plus fresh photos.

For everyday apps, most people will not feel a big difference. The A14 in the 12 is newer, which helps more with heavy games, video editing and how the phone copes with future updates than with daily messaging.

It depends on when and where the unit was originally sold, and many used phones come without their original box contents anyway. Ask the seller exactly what is included and budget for a proper charger if none comes with it.

Yes, if the battery and screen check out and the price reflects its age. It is still on Apple's current software list. Just accept that it is likely to lose update support before the 12 does.

No. The 12 has flat edges, a different camera layout and slightly different dimensions, so cases are not interchangeable. Buy a case made for the exact model.