What is the difference between iPhone 12 Pro and 13 Pro? Which iPhone would you choose?

Богдан Сирко
Богдан Сірко
24 Jan 2024, 14:01

In 2020, the most advanced smartphone in the world was the iPhone 12 Pro. Later - its successor iPhone 13 Pro, which received an updated screen, camera and battery. But this is if you describe the devices in one sentence. Many people, especially those who want to buy an iPhone, are wondering - what is the difference between iPhone 12 Pro and 13 Pro? Since we are often approached for these devices, it makes sense to understand the issue.

iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: display and design

Externally and aesthetically, the iPhones are identical. But there are two changes: the first is the size of the notch or Face ID, the second is the available colors of the iPhone 13 Pro:

  • Face ID on iPhone 13 Pro is 20% less. Thus, you will have a more comfortable screen surface.
  • The iPhone 12 Pro is available in Graphite, Silver, Gold and Pacific Blue. Its opponent is presented in the same colors, only Pacific Blue is replaced by Sierra Blue (a little lighter).

Display of iPhones 12 and 13

iPhone Pro screens have always been state-of-the-art and bright, with deep and rich colors. The model has more brightness and a unique ProMotion function (adapts the screen refresh rate to the content up to 120 times per second that you view or interact with. The predecessor had a refresh rate of 60/s). When the screen is inactive, the frequency drops to 10 times per second.

The brightness of the 13 Pro screen is 1000 nits, and the 12 Pro screen is 800 nits. This is noticeable, but clearly only if the iPhone is used in bright street lighting.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro: Camera

Both models are equipped with three cameras, but there are significant differences between the "professionals":

  • the main camera of the iPhone 13 captures 2.2 times more light compared to the 12 Pro, and twice as much as the wide-angle one;
  • a newer Apple smartphone has a macro function for shooting objects at a distance of 2 cm (close-up of flowers, water drops, etc.);
  • The 13 Pro's telephoto lens now has 3x zoom, and the 12 Pro's 2x.

When it comes to video recording, iPhone 2021 provides Cinema mode, a new feature that allows you to record videos at a professional level with blur effects and transitions between different frames.

As for video recording, in the iPhone 13 Pro, the stabilizer is located directly on the sensor, and in the iPhone 12 Pro, it is located on the optics. The difference is noticeable only if you record video in motion.

Processor and battery - which is better, iPhone 12 Pro or 13 Pro

Processor and battery life go hand in hand. The iPhone 12 Pro will have an A14 chip, and the successor will have an A15 chip. The 2020 model works up to 17 hours on the Internet, and 2021 - up to 22 hours. But this is if the smartphones are new - the resource of work without recharging the iPhone depends on their level of exhaustion. In the yaknoviy.ua store, the battery potential of Apple devices is at least 80%.

Some characteristics of the iPhone 12 Pro and 13 Pro are summarized in the table.

Functions

iPhone 12 ProiPhone 13 Pro
Diagonal6.1 inches6.1 inches with Face ID, 20% more compact
Screen refresh rate60 times per second120 times per second
Ultra wide angle cameraAperture f/2.4Aperture f/1.8 with autofocus

Wide-angle camera

Aperture f/1.6Aperture f/1.5
Telephoto lens2x zoom3x zoom
Macro photographyNoSo
Movie modeNoYes, with transition blur
LIDAR scannerSoSo
ChipA14 BionicA15 Bionic
Internal memory128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
Autonomy (web surfing)Until 17 hours22 hours

Which iPhone to buy - 12 Pro or 13?

Both devices, although not advanced for today, are definitely worth paying attention to. The significant difference between the devices is in the cameras. If you spend many hours watching content on your iPhone, and especially if photography is your passion, then the new model is a priority. In the rest of the components, iPhones are approximately the same. More precisely, you will not notice a significant difference during use. Another thing is the price: in a used equipment store in Kharkiv, the price of a used iPhone 12 Pro starts at UAH 17,999 (128 GB), and its successor - from UAH 27,999.