Comparison
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 — Compared for Repair Cost & Reliability
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: repairability, common failures, parts availability, and which iPhone is cheaper to own and fix — from a Seattle repair shop.
| Spec | iPhone 12 | iPhone 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2020 | 2019 |
| Chip | A14 | A13 |
| Display | 6.1" display (model dependent) | 6.1" display (model dependent) |
| Repairability (1–10) | 5 | 6 |
| Parts availability | fair | fair |
| Our rating | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Top shop failure | Battery degradation | Battery degradation |
| Second common issue | Charging port wear | Charging port wear |
| Generation era | modern | face id |
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: which is better to own and fix?
We compare iPhones the way a repair shop should — not just benchmarks and cameras, but what breaks, what fixes cost, and which chassis is less painful on our bench.
Quick take
Pick iPhone 11 if better repairability and parts story in our shop. Both are Apple phones, so you're still in premium repair territory — but the gap matters when you crack a screen or need a battery.
Spec & repair snapshot
See the comparison table below for release year, chip, display, repairability scores, and the #1 failure we see on each model.
iPhone 12 — shop notes
- Repairability: 5/10
- Parts: fair
- Common issues: Battery degradation; Charging port wear; Face ID sensor issues (after drops)
- Full iPhone 12 review · Repair pricing
iPhone 11 — shop notes
- Repairability: 6/10
- Parts: fair
- Common issues: Battery degradation; Charging port wear; Face ID sensor issues (after drops)
- Full iPhone 11 review · Repair pricing
Generation gap
iPhone 12 (2020) vs iPhone 11 (2019) — 1 year apart. These are close generations; buy on price, condition, and repair history.
Which should you buy used?
- Check battery health (Settings → Battery) before either model.
- Ask about prior screen or back glass work — quality varies by shop.
- Compare our repair prices for the exact failure you're worried about.
If you're cross-shopping within the same generation (e.g. Pro vs standard), repair costs often differ more than performance for typical users.
Repair cost & downtime (shop perspective)
| Factor | iPhone 12 | iPhone 11 | |--------|----------------|----------------| | Repairability | 5/10 | 6/10 | | Parts availability | fair | fair | | Typical first shop visit | Battery degradation | Battery degradation |
These are qualitative scores from our Seattle benches — not Apple specs. Higher repairability usually means lower labor surprise when something common breaks.
Software & resale runway
iPhone 12 (2020) will generally outlast iPhone 11 (2019) on iOS updates and resale interest, but the used price gap often swallows that advantage. If both phones are already several years old, condition and repair history matter more than generation gap.
Who should pick which?
- Choose iPhone 12 if you prioritize value and simpler repairs and accept slightly higher repair labor vs the alternative.
- Choose iPhone 11 if you prioritize value and simpler repairs and the used price fits your budget after a realistic repair cushion.
We link full single-device reviews above when you want depth on one model only.
Verdict
For most buyers walking into our Seattle shop, iPhone 11 is the smarter pick between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 — primarily because of better repairability and parts story in our shop. That doesn't mean the other phone is bad; it means total ownership cost tilts one way when you plan for real-world repairs.
