iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: which should you buy in Cameroon in 2026?

iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: our answer

Take the iPhone 12 if 5G and the OLED screen matter to you. Take the iPhone 11 if you want to pay less: the camera, the announced battery life and charging are the same.

The iPhone 12 is the direct successor of the iPhone 11. It brings four real changes: 5G, an OLED screen, a newer chip and a lighter body. This iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 guide compares the two standard models, the ones many customers call the "plain" iPhone 11 and the "plain" iPhone 12.

Side by side

Here are the specifications published by Apple. The rows in bold are the ones that change.

The colours change too: black, green, yellow, purple, (PRODUCT)RED and white for the 11; black, white, (PRODUCT)RED, green, blue and purple for the 12. Colour availability with us depends on stock: ask your adviser.

The four differences that matter

5G, the OLED screen, the weight and the chip: these are the important differences between the two models.

1. 5G

The iPhone 12 is the first 5G iPhone. The iPhone 11 works on 4G. 5G is only useful if your network (MTN, Orange or Camtel) offers it in your city. If it is not available around you, this difference changes nothing for you today. It matters if you keep your phone for several years.

2. The screen: OLED vs LCD

The iPhone 12 has an OLED screen, the iPhone 11 an LCD screen. Both measure 6.1 inches. OLED shows deeper blacks and more contrasted colours, which you notice mostly when watching videos or photos. For reading messages or browsing, the difference is small.

3. Weight and water resistance

The iPhone 12 weighs 164 g, vs 194 g for the iPhone 11: 30 g less in your pocket. Both are water resistant (IP68), but the iPhone 12 is tested down to 6 metres, vs 2 metres for the iPhone 11.

4. The chip and MagSafe charging

The iPhone 12's A14 Bionic is newer than the iPhone 11's A13 Bionic. For everyday use, the difference is barely visible. The iPhone 12 also supports MagSafe charging and its magnetic accessories (cases, wallets, chargers), which the iPhone 11 does not.

What does not change

The camera, the announced battery life and the charging port are identical: do not count them in your choice.

Both iPhones have two 12 MP rear cameras (main and ultra wide) and a 12 MP selfie camera. Apple announces up to 17 hours of video playback for both. Both charge through a Lightning port and take a nano-SIM and an eSIM. Neither has a 120 Hz screen.

Is the price gap worth it?

If 5G or the OLED screen matter to you, yes. Otherwise, the iPhone 11 saves you money without losing the essentials.

Here are the two models, with their prices read from our catalogue:

• 
  iPhone 11

  128GB · 4GB RAM · 4G LTE · 2019

  139,000 FCFA110,000 FCFASee the model
• 
  iPhone 12

  128GB · 4GB RAM · 5G · 2020

  189,000 FCFA125,000 FCFASee the model

And the full table, with the Pro models of each generation:

What about the iPhone 11 Pro?

The iPhone 11 Pro has a 5.8-inch OLED screen and three cameras, but no 5G. The iPhone 12 has 5G and a bigger screen, but two cameras.

If photos matter more than the network, the iPhone 11 Pro adds a telephoto and Night mode on three lenses, at 188 g. If you want 5G, the iPhone 12 is the right choice. For the full families, read our guides iPhone 11 in Cameroon and iPhone 12 in Cameroon.

And the Pro Max models: iPhone 11 Pro Max or iPhone 12 Pro Max?

The 12 Pro Max adds 5G, a slightly bigger screen and a newer chip. The announced battery life is the same: up to 20 hours of video.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch OLED screen, weighs 226 g and works on 4G. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch OLED screen, weighs 228 g and adds 5G, MagSafe charging and the A14 Bionic chip. Watch the storage: in our catalogue, the 11 Pro Max is offered in 64GB and the 12 Pro Max in 128GB. Compare prices at the same capacity with your adviser.

Which model for which profile?

Here is a quick guide based on your use.

Three mistakes to avoid when comparing

Always compare at the same capacity, with the same seller and with a brand-new, sealed phone.

• Comparing two different storage sizes. A 64GB iPhone and a 128GB iPhone do not cost the same. Check the capacity before concluding that one is "cheaper" than the other.
• Choosing on price alone. A very low price on an iPhone 11 or 12 should alert you: ask for the IMEI number, the warranty and a receipt. Our guide on how to buy a phone safely lists the warning signs.
• Buying an iPhone 11 thinking it has 5G. Many listings mix up the two generations. Check the exact model name: only the iPhone 12 and later have 5G.

Before you buy: three checks

For a phone of this value, check three points: the phone is brand new, its IMEI is clean and the warranty is clear.

1. Brand new and sealed. A genuine new iPhone arrives in a sealed box.
2. Clean IMEI. Our guide on checking the IMEI shows how to do it in a few minutes.
3. Clear warranty. Find our terms on the warranty and returns page and the delivery page.

You then order on WhatsApp, without creating an account. Your adviser replies in under 5 minutes and confirms the colour, the storage and payment by Orange Money or MTN MoMo. To see the whole range, browse our iPhone catalogue.

Our sources

• iPhone 11 technical specifications, Apple;
• iPhone 12 technical specifications, Apple;
• iPhone 11 Pro technical specifications, Apple;
• iPhone 12 Pro technical specifications, Apple;
• the spec sheets in our catalogue.

Information last checked: 23 September 2026.