Deciding between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13 involves looking at subtle but meaningful improvements in camera features, battery life, and processing power. While the iPhone 12 remains a capable smartphone, the iPhone 13 offers some key enhancements that might make it a more appealing choice for some users. Let's explore their differences across various aspects.
Here's a table outlining the core specifications of both the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13:
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 13 |
Display |
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) |
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) |
Processor |
A14 Bionic |
A15 Bionic |
Rear Cameras |
Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) |
Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) |
Front Camera |
12MP TrueDepth |
12MP TrueDepth |
Storage Options |
64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Battery Life |
Up to 17 hours video playback |
Up to 19 hours video playback |
Water Resistance |
IP68 |
IP68 |
5G Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Operating System |
iOS 14 (at launch) |
iOS 15 (at launch) |
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 share an almost identical flat-edged design with an aluminum frame and a Ceramic Shield front. The most noticeable visual difference is the diagonal arrangement of the rear camera lenses on the iPhone 13, compared to the vertical arrangement on the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 is also slightly thicker and heavier.
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 13 |
Materials |
Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back |
Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back |
Front Design |
Super Retina XDR display, notch |
Super Retina XDR display, smaller notch |
Rear Cameras |
Vertically aligned |
Diagonally aligned |
Size |
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm |
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm |
Weight |
164 grams |
173 grams |
Color Options |
Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, Purple |
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, Green |
While both phones feature a dual 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide camera system, the iPhone 13 brings improvements in sensor size and computational photography, leading to better low-light performance and the addition of new video features.
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 13 |
Main Camera |
12MP Wide (ƒ/1.6) |
12MP Wide (ƒ/1.6) with larger sensor |
Ultra Wide |
12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4) |
12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4) |
Front Camera |
12MP TrueDepth (ƒ/2.2) |
12MP TrueDepth (ƒ/2.2) |
Photographic Styles |
No |
Yes |
Cinematic Mode |
No |
Yes (up to 1080p at 30 fps) |
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization |
No |
Yes (Wide) |
Night Mode |
Yes (Wide and Ultra Wide) |
Yes (All Cameras) |
Deep Fusion |
Yes (All Cameras) |
Yes (All Cameras) |
The iPhone 13 is powered by the newer A15 Bionic chip, offering a performance increase over the iPhone 12's A14 Bionic. The iPhone 13 also boasts a larger battery, resulting in noticeably better battery life compared to the iPhone 12.
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 13 |
Chip |
A14 Bionic |
A15 Bionic |
CPU |
6-core |
6-core |
GPU |
4-core |
4-core |
RAM |
4GB |
4GB |
Battery Life |
Good |
Better |
Both iPhones run on the same iOS software and receive the latest updates. The iPhone 13 benefits from some software features optimized for its newer hardware, such as Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode for video recording. The iPhone 13 also launched with a more recent version of iOS.
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 13 |
Operating System |
Latest iOS Updates |
Latest iOS Updates |
Photographic Styles |
No |
Yes |
Cinematic Mode |
No |
Yes |
Night Mode on all Cameras |
Yes (Wide and Ultra Wide) |
Yes (All Cameras) |
Spatial Audio |
Yes |
Yes |
At their respective launch times, the iPhone 13 was typically priced slightly higher than the iPhone 12. Over time, prices may have adjusted, and the iPhone 12 might be available at a more competitive price point.
Choose the iPhone 13 if: You prioritize improved camera performance, especially in low light, along with new video features like Cinematic mode and longer battery life. The slightly newer processor might also be a consideration for future software updates.
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The major differences between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 are the newer A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13, resulting in slightly better performance and improved battery life. The iPhone 13 also features camera enhancements like a larger main camera sensor, Sensor-shift optical image stabilization, Photographic Styles, and Cinematic mode for video. The rear camera lenses are also arranged diagonally on the iPhone 13.
The iPhone 13 was typically priced slightly higher at launch due to its newer chip, camera improvements, and better battery life. Whether it's "worth more" depends on individual needs. If you value these enhancements, the iPhone 13 is a worthwhile step up. If budget is a primary concern, the iPhone 12 remains a very capable phone.
Yes, the iPhone 13 generally offers a noticeable improvement in battery life compared to the iPhone 12, allowing for longer usage on a single charge.
Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 feature the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with similar brightness and color accuracy. The display quality is largely comparable between the two models. However, the iPhone 13 has a slightly smaller notch.
Yes, the iPhone 13 introduces features like Photographic Styles for customizing the look of your photos, Cinematic mode for video recording with shallow depth of field, and Sensor-shift optical image stabilization on the main camera.
Upgrading from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 13 can be worthwhile if you prioritize better battery life and the new camera features like Cinematic mode and Photographic Styles. The slightly improved performance of the A15 Bionic chip might also be a factor for some users. If these improvements are not critical for you, the iPhone 12 remains a very capable device.