Metro Blog / Wireless 101

iPhone 11 or iPhone 12?

Which is the right phone for you?

Reading time: 6 minutes

Apple iPhone 11 and Apple iPhone 12 Device Images

At a glance

Learn what iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 can do.

Compare these feature-packed smartphones side-by-side.

Check out the Apple iPhone deals available from Metro by T-Mobile.

Get smart on two feature-packed smartphones

If you’re thinking of joining Metro by T-Mobile and getting a phone that complements your life, you may be considering the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. What are the differences between these two devices, and which one is right for you? We can help you make the best decision.

Take it from two Metro customers, Jessica and Shiloh. (Okay, we made them up. But you get the idea.):

Jessica is a busy mom who cares most about getting the biggest value for her dollar. The clear winner here is an iPhone 11 for only $49.99 when she brings her number to Metro and shows ID. Its display, performance, and camera system are more than enough for her needs. And the zero cost with Metro takes away one extra stressor.

Shiloh is a tech-savvy world traveler with an eye for photography and a heart for social media. iPhone 12 is the way to go. He can take advantage of the enhanced display, processing, 5G capabilities, and camera upgrades like dual camera Night Mode and Deep Fusion.

Let’s look at a simple iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 comparison:

Design and display

iPhone 12 has a sleek flat-edge design, while iPhone 11 has a traditional rounded-edge design. Both offer a solid grip and a 6.1” display. iPhone 12 features a Super Retina XDR (OLED) display and High Dynamic Range (HDR) display with higher contrast ratios, resolution, and color accuracy. iPhone 11 uses a Liquid Retina HD (LCD) display, which also offers vibrant color and excellent clarity.

Performance and processing power

iPhone 12 houses the A14 Bionic chip, which is slightly faster and more efficient than the A13 chip in iPhone 11. Battery life varies, with some users reporting longer endurance on iPhone 11, possibly due to differences in battery size or display resolution. iPhone 12 is compatible with MagSafe, a faster and more secure magnetic charging option. If you want to use MagSafe accessories such as portable battery packs and charging cases, then you should opt for an iPhone 12.

Network capability

iPhone 12 offers 5G connectivity, and iPhone 11 connects over 4G LTE. While 5G enables faster speeds and improved connectivity, it may not yet be available in all areas. 4G LTE offers ample speed and a slightly larger network footprint.

Camera system

iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 offer sophisticated camera systems, including Portrait mode, Night mode, and Deep Fusion. Both models feature dual-camera systems (Main and Ultra Wide back lenses). iPhone 12 elevates your photography with front-camera Night mode and Deep Fusion capabilities, ideal for capturing detailed low-light photos and enhanced textures when the camera is pointed toward you. The iPhone 12 also has Smart HDR 3, which creates a higher-dynamic image compared to the Smart HDR 2 in the iPhone 11.

iPhone 11 and iPhone 12: Side-by-side spec comparison

Specs	iPhone 11 (64 GB)	iPhone 12 (64 GB)
Size	Larger Height: 5.94” Width: 2.98” Weight: 6.84 oz.	Slightly smaller & lighter Height: 5.78” Width: 2.82” Weight: 5.78 oz
Display	Crisp & clear Size: 6” Liquid Retina HD (LCD) 1792-by-828-pixel resolution at 326 ppi 400:1 contrast ratio (typical) No HDR	Higher contrast ratios Size: 6” Super Retina XDR (OLED) 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical) 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
Battery & Charging	10 hours of talk time Up to 17 hours of video playback 2.5 days standby time USB 2 cable & QI wireless charging	11 hours of talk time Up to 17 hours of video playback N/A standby time USB 2 cable, MagSafe & QI wireless charging
Processing Chip	Fast A13 Bionic chip 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores 4-core GPU 8-core Neural Engine	Faster A14 Bionic chip 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores 4-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine
Network Capability	4G LTE	4G LTE + 5G
Camera System	Dual 12MP Wide & Ultra Wide system Portrait mode w/ Depth Control Back camera Night mode TrueDepth front camera Deep Fusion capabilities Smart HDR 2 1.6 aperture	Dual 12MP Wide & Ultra Wide system with dual Night mode & Deep Fusion Portrait mode w/ Depth Control Front & back camera night mode TrueDepth front camera Deep Fusion capabilities Smart HDR 3 1.8 aperture (wider than iPhone 11) HDR video recording with Dolby Vision on front & back cameras Night mode Time-lapse on back cameras
Price with Metro	$49.99 when you bring your number to a $40/mo. or higher plan and show ID	$99.99 when you bring your number to a $40/mo. or higher plan and show ID

These offers aren’t available if you’re currently at T-Mobile or have been with Metro in the past 180 days. Looking for more specs? Check out our detailed comparison chart.

Whether you opt for iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, you can rest assured you're getting a premium smartphone experience that meets your needs—and your budget—with Metro.

So, are you more Jessica or Shiloh? To select your iPhone, check out Metro’s Apple offers.