The iPhone 12 Pro is the most recent model of the iPhone, released in September 2018. It has a 6.5-inch OLED display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio and 458ppi pixel density. It also comes with a new A12 Bionic processor, which is the fastest chip ever made by Apple.

The iphone 12 pro vs iphone 13 is a question that many iPhone users ask. These two devices are similar in some ways, but they have some key differences as well.

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The new iPhone 13 series was recently unveiled by Apple, and it promises the quickest iPhone performance ever, as well as up to two and a half hours longer battery life, additional cinematic video choices, and a twice-as-smooth display on the Pro versions. However, as someone who recently spent a lot of money on the iPhone 12 Pro last year, those improvements aren’t enough for me to make the move just yet. Even for those upgrading from an older phone, last year’s model has simply become a better bargain.

Here’s why I’m passing on the iPhone 13 and why the iPhone 12 series is still a bargain a year later.

A screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz is smoother.

Apple

Don’t get me wrong: the iPhone 13 has some interesting new features, particularly when compared to the more expensive iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max models. The new Super Retina XDR with ProMotion display, which boasts a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, has piqued my interest. That’s a lot of jargon to say that the screen of the iPhone 13 Pro can move twice as smoothly as previous iPhones with 60 Hz screens. In daily usage, we’ve seen that 120 Hz displays make browsing through websites and pictures seem quicker and more fluid, and games and movies may appear smoother and more similar to what you’d see on a TV.

It’s a feature that rival Android phones have had for a long time, and one that we’ve had a lot of fun with on phones like the Galaxy S21. While I’m progressively becoming a fan of high-refresh-rate displays (particularly after trying several 300 Hz gaming computers), getting an extra-smooth iPhone screen seems more like a nice-to-have addition than a solution to a genuine issue with my iPhone 12 Pro.

Better battery life and performance are promised.

Apple

The iPhone 13 range as a whole promises longer battery life, which Apple claims is due in part to the phone’s new A15 Bionic processor’s efficiency. These phones are said to last up to two and a half hours longer than the iPhone 12 series, which is appealing — if only my existing iPhone wasn’t still working well.

After a year of usage, the battery on my iPhone 12 Pro is still going strong, providing me more than enough power to carry me through a full day after charging overnight. It’s unusual for me to receive a low battery alert. In our more rigorous battery testing, all variants of the iPhone 12 performed well, with the regular iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro both lasting more over 12 hours of uninterrupted 4K video playing.

The iPhone 13’s overall performance is similar. The A15 Bionic processor is billed as “the fastest chip in a smartphone,” and based on our benchmark testing of past Apple phones, that claim may be accurate. After a year of intensive usage, I have yet to see anything that my iPhone 12 Pro’s A14 Bionic CPU can’t handle, whether I’m frantically switching between Slack conversations, playing demanding Apple Arcade games, or viewing movies in picture-in-picture mode while surfing the web.

An eye-catching camera improvement

Apple

The iPhone 13 Pro is poised to be the greatest iPhone camera ever, with to bigger sensors, better aperture and zoom, and the aforementioned A15 processor. Without getting into all of the technical lingo, Apple’s newest premium smartphone is designed to thrive in low light, enable you to zoom in farther without losing clarity, and allow you to build your own picture presets (like filters) using Photographic Styles. The iPhone 13’s Cinematic mode allows you to capture video and then change the depth and focus afterwards, enabling you to create dramatic moments similar to those seen in films and television programs. You can also record in ProRes, a sophisticated video codec often used in commercials and films, on the iPhone 13 Pro. Even with the less expensive iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, you should anticipate improved overall detail and low-light performance.

That’s all well and good, but it’s not enough to persuade me to abandon my iPhone 12 Pro’s still superb cameras. The iPhone 12 Pro’s triple-camera system is still so amazing that I use it as my primary camera for taking high-quality photographs for my product evaluations, in addition to allowing me to publish an excess of extremely detailed food and pet shots on Instagram. And when I go for nighttime walks, the 12 Pro’s Night mode still manages to make low-light pictures seem like they were taken during the day.

The colors are lovely, but there isn’t anything new here.

Apple

I was overjoyed to get my iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific Blue, a welcome departure from the Space Gray iPhones I had been purchasing for years. And, just on the basis of aesthetics, there isn’t much in this year’s roster that appeals to me. The iPhone 13 Pro colors are largely a play on last year’s choices (this time, a lighter “Sierra Blue” replaces Pacific Blue), while the lesser iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are mostly the same. The only color I’d consider switching to is purple, which is presently only available on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini. Even if there are minor aesthetic differences this time around, such as a reduced notch on the display, you might easily confuse the two versions at first look.

CNN/Michael Andronico

Apart from being a tempting but not necessary upgrade for me, the iPhone 13 fails to solve some of my greatest issues with my existing iPhone 12 Pro. I recently expressed my dissatisfaction with the iPhone 12’s absence of Touch ID in an age of face masks, and I’m unhappy that the functionality hasn’t been brought back for the 13 series.

What’s more irritating is that the iPhone 13 still doesn’t support USB-C, the now-ubiquitous charging technology that’s found on just about everything but Apple phones at this time. I’d love to be able to tidy my desk by charging my Mac and iPhone with the same connection, and USB-C connectivity would give the iPhone access to a slew of USB-C devices. Given that Apple just released a new iPad Mini with Touch ID and USB-C, I’m becoming anxious for an iPhone that combines the two.

CNN/Jacob Krol

It’s not just a wonderful time to keep your iPhone 12; it’s also a better time than ever to upgrade or convert from Android. The iPhone 12 Mini now starts at $599, while the regular iPhone 12 now starts at $699, thanks to the introduction of the iPhone 13 series. That’s a $100 reduction from their debut pricing, thus making the iPhone 12 Mini a cheap phone with flagship-level performance and cameras.

One thing to keep in mind: although Apple is discontinuing the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max in favor of the new Pro models, you can still get the more expensive iPhone 12 models at a number of carriers, stores, and resellers as of this writing. If you choose a refurbished iPhone from Decluttr, you may save 15% on your order with our special coupon “CNN15” until midnight on September 19.

CNN/Mike Andronico

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro have a lot going for them, including faster CPUs and, in the case of the Pro models, significant display and camera improvements. To make a final judgment, we’ll have to test Apple’s newest phones ourselves, but if you haven’t updated your iPhone in a few years (or just require the latest and best), they seem to be a tempting purchase on paper.

However, as someone who upgraded from last year’s iPhone 12 Pro, I’m happy to stick with my existing phone for at least the next several years. It still runs quickly, lasts all day on a charge, and takes some really amazing pictures, plus it’ll receive all of the major new iPhone features arriving this month with iOS 15. And now that the iPhone 12 is available for $599, our top choice for the best smartphone is even simpler to suggest to anybody looking for a fantastic new phone who isn’t concerned with being on the bleeding edge.

The iphone 13 vs iphone 12 gsmarena is a comparison of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13. It will include pros and cons and differences between the two models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth upgrading iPhone 12 to 13?

It is not worth upgrading your iPhone 12 to the latest version, 13. The new features are not worth the price for most people.

Whats the difference between iOS 12 and 13?

iOS 12 is the latest version of iOS and it was released on September 17, 2018.

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