ifixit has taken apart the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. And lo and behold: except for a few small things, the devices are identical.
The biggest difference are the cameras – you can see that from the outside. If the Pro has three cameras and the lidar sensor, the normal iPhone 12 has only two cameras. The devices are so similar that Apple simply uses a plastic blind plug to fill the space of the missing third lens. Otherwise, many things are the same. Battery size, display (up to maximum brightness) and the arrangement of the internal components.
Interesting is that board and battery have now changed sides. Because of the big camera and the board, which has become bigger due to 5G, there was probably not enough space left in the old arrangement. The gluing has also improved: it now ensures that the waterproofness is even better and so water damage should be even less frequent in the future.
But this does not necessarily have disadvantages for the repair: yes, you should heat the glue before, but then the display exchange is quite easy. One reason for this is that the technology for the Face ID is now in the iPhone and no longer on the display. Replacing the battery is as easy as ever, and even defective speakers can be replaced easily.
Here at ifixit you can get all pictures.
