A phase detection apparatus produces a phase difference signal in response to the phase difference between two applied input signals. The phase detector includes a lead/lag indicator receiving the input signals, and a logic block receiving the input signals. The logic block generates an output signal in response to the time delay between corresponding amplitude transitions, such as rising edges, of each of the input signals. The lead/lag indicator records which one of the two input signals leads in phase and generates an enable signal that steers the output signal from the logic block to one or the other of the phase detector's two output terminals. A phase detection method generates an output signal corresponding to the phase difference between a pair of input signals by recording which one of the input signals leads in phase relative to the other of the input signals, generating a pulse having a pulse width equal to the time delay between corresponding amplitude transitions of the input signals, delaying the pulse and then steering the pulse to one of the output terminals according to which one of the input signals is recorded as leading in phase.