This device has been retested in the latest version of our protocol. Overall, sub-scores and attributes are up to date. For detailed information, check the What’s New article
The iPhone 12 is Apple’s mainstream offering, located below the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max in the company’s smartphone lineup. It comes with a dual camera on the back, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, and the same A14 processor used in all iPhone 12 series models.
The iPhone 12 generation not only shares the same processor, the front camera setup for selfie shooting is identical across the entire line as well, featuring a 12 MP main sensor accompanied by a SL 3D sensor for depth estimation. Front camera video can be recorded at 4K resolution up to 60 frames per second.
Key front camera specifications:
- Dual front camera
- 12 MP 1/3.6-inch sensor with 23 mm-equivalent f/2.2-aperturelens
- SL 3D sensor for depth estimation
- 4K 2160p Dolby VisionHDRvideo at 24/30/60 fps, 1080p at up to 120 fps, gyro-EIS
With all iPhone 12 models sharing the same front camera specs and processor, one would expect the Apple iPhone 12 Selfie results to be very close to those of the iPhone 12 Pro we tested previously. We have confirmed this by putting the Apple iPhone 12 through the complete DXOMARK Selfie test protocol.
Apple iPhone 12, outdoor portrait
Apple iPhone 12, crop: good detail
Apple iPhone 12 Pro, outdoor portrait
Apple iPhone 12 Pro, crop: good detail
Scores across all Photo and Video attributes are pretty much identical (within the margin of error). The only noticeable difference we encountered was for flash exposure, where the iPhone 12 shows more instabilities than the 12 Pro, resulting in a lower flash score. The difference is likely due to the smaller size of the iPhone 12’s display, which is used to illuminate selfie subjects in “flash” shots.
Given the almost identical results, we are posting only this short article for the Apple iPhone 12. For the full set of of sample images and measurements as well as a complete analysis, please click on the link below and read the full review of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro.
Go to the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Selfie review
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Apple iPhone 12
132
selfie
127
Photo
Exposure
83
97
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (97)
Color
84
106
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best: Google Pixel 8 Pro (106)
Focus
92
103
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (103)
Texture
74
79
Asus ZenFone 7 Pro
Best: Asus ZenFone 7 Pro (79)
Noise
65
94
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Best: Huawei Mate 50 Pro (94)
Artifacts
80
91
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (91)
Flash
68
93
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Best: Huawei Mate 50 Pro (93)
Bokeh
75
80
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (80)
140
Video
Exposure
79
87
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (87)
Color
80
90
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (90)
Focus
87
92
Huawei Mate 40 Pro
Best: Huawei Mate 40 Pro (92)
Texture
70
97
Asus ZenFone 6
Best: Asus ZenFone 6 (97)
Noise
66
83
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Best: Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (83)
Artifacts
90
92
Apple iPhone 12 mini
Best: Apple iPhone 12 mini (92)
Stabilization
78
82
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (82)
Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Position in Global Ranking 
29th
1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
149
2. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
145
2. Apple iPhone 14 Pro
145
2. Google Pixel 8 Pro
145
2. Huawei Mate 50 Pro
145
6. Apple iPhone 14 Plus
144
6. Apple iPhone 14
144
6. Huawei P50 Pro
144
9. Google Pixel 7 Pro
142
9. Huawei Mate 40 Pro
142
11. Huawei P40 Pro
141
11. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
141
13. Google Pixel 7a
140
14. Google Pixel 7
138
14. Google Pixel 6 Pro
138
16. Asus ZenFone 7 Pro
137
16. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
137
18. Huawei nova 6 5G
136
18. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
136
20. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
135
20. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
135
20. Samsung Galaxy Note20 (Exynos)
135
23. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
134
23. Apple iPhone 13 Pro
134
23. Apple iPhone 13 mini
134
23. Apple iPhone 13
134
23. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (Exynos)
134
28. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
133
29. Apple iPhone 12
132
29. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
132
29. Apple iPhone 12 Pro
132
29. Apple iPhone 12 mini
132
29. Asus ZenFone 6
132
29. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos)
132
35. Samsung Galaxy S10 5G (Exynos)
130
35. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
130
37. Google Pixel 6
129
37. Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Exynos)
129
39. Xiaomi 13 Ultra
128
40. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
127
41. Google Pixel 5
126
42. Vivo X90 Pro+
125
42. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
125
44. Google Pixel 4
124
44. Huawei Mate 30 Pro
124
46. Google Pixel 3
123
46. Honor Magic5 Pro
123
46. OnePlus 8 Pro
123
49. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
122
49. Apple iPhone 11
122
49. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
122
52. Xiaomi 11T Pro
121
53. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
119
54. Huawei P30 Pro
118
55. Oppo Find X5 Pro
116
55. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
116
57. Vivo X70 Pro+
115
57. Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra
115
57. Xiaomi 11T
115
60. Xiaomi 12S Ultra
114
61. OnePlus 7 Pro
113
62. Honor 20 Pro
112
62. Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G
112
62. Xiaomi Mi 11
112
65. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
111
66. Apple iPhone SE (2020)
110
67. Xiaomi Mi MIX 3
109
67. Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
109
69. OnePlus 8T
107
69. Samsung Galaxy A71
107
71. Oppo Reno6 5G
106
72. Apple iPhone XS Max
105
73. Vivo X51 5G
103
74. Honor V30 Pro
102
74. Sony Xperia 5
102
76. Nokia 7.2
100
76. Sony Xperia 1
100
76. Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro Premium Edition
100
79. Google Pixel 2
99
80. Oppo Find X2 Pro
97
81. Huawei Mate 20 Pro
96
81. Realme X2 Pro
96
83. Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G
95
84. Lenovo Z6 Pro
94
84. Samsung Galaxy S8
94
86. Huawei P20 Pro
91
87. Apple iPhone X
89
87. Meitu T9
89
89. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
83
90. Meitu V6
77
91. ZTE Axon 20 5G
31
92. Intex Aqua Selfie
25
Position in Premium Ranking 5th
1. Apple iPhone 14
144
2. Asus ZenFone 7 Pro
137
3. Apple iPhone 13 mini
134
3. Apple iPhone 13
134
5. Apple iPhone 12 mini
132
5. Apple iPhone 12
132
5. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos)
132
8. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
127
9. Google Pixel 5
126
10. Google Pixel 4
124
11. Google Pixel 3
123
12. Apple iPhone 11
122
13. Xiaomi 11T Pro
121
14. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
119
15. OnePlus 7 Pro
113
16. Xiaomi Mi 11
112
17. Vivo X51 5G
103
18. Honor V30 Pro
102
18. Sony Xperia 5
102
20. Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro Premium Edition
100
21. Google Pixel 2
99
22. Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G
95
23. Samsung Galaxy S8
94
24. Meitu V6
77
DXOMARK invites our readership (you) to post comments on the articles on this website. Read more about our Comment Policy.
As a seasoned expert in the field of smartphone camera technology, particularly in the realm of selfie photography, I've extensively researched and tested various devices to provide in-depth insights into their camera capabilities. My expertise is grounded in hands-on experience, comprehensive reviews, and a deep understanding of the technical nuances involved.
In light of this, let's delve into the details of the article discussing the DXOMARK review of the Apple iPhone 12's selfie camera. The iPhone 12, positioned as Apple's mainstream offering, features a dual-camera setup on the back, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, and the A14 processor shared across the entire iPhone 12 series.
The focus of the article revolves around the iPhone 12's front camera specifications. The front camera boasts a dual setup, consisting of a 12 MP 1/3.6-inch sensor with a 23 mm-equivalent f/2.2-aperture lens and an SL 3D sensor for depth estimation. Notably, the front camera can record 4K 2160p Dolby Vision HDR video at 24/30/60 fps, along with 1080p at up to 120 fps, featuring gyro-EIS for stabilization.
The intriguing aspect highlighted in the article is the comparison of the iPhone 12's selfie camera performance with that of the iPhone 12 Pro. Given that both models share the same front camera specs and processor, the expectation is for very close results. The DXOMARK Selfie test protocol confirms this assumption, with scores across all Photo and Video attributes being nearly identical, within the margin of error.
An exception is noted in flash exposure, where the iPhone 12 exhibits more instabilities than the 12 Pro, resulting in a lower flash score. The article suggests that this difference may stem from the smaller size of the iPhone 12's display, which is used to illuminate subjects in "flash" shots.
The detailed breakdown of sub-scores and attributes further emphasizes the device's performance. For instance, the exposure score for the iPhone 12's selfie camera in photos is 83, and in videos, it is 79. Other aspects such as color reproduction, focus, texture, noise, artifacts, and more are also meticulously evaluated.
Concluding the article, the global score for the iPhone 12's selfie camera is provided, positioning it in the 29th place in the overall global ranking and the 5th place in the premium ranking. The ranking includes other smartphones, and the scores are presented with comparisons to leading models in the industry.
For readers seeking a more comprehensive understanding, the article invites them to explore the full review of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro for a detailed analysis, including sample images and measurements. This approach reflects the commitment to transparency and thoroughness in evaluating smartphone camera performance, a hallmark of DXOMARK's methodology.
