The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 share the same listed 6.1-inch OLED display and storage options, but they suit different priorities. Choose the 12 Pro for its dedicated telephoto camera and Apple ProRAW; choose the iPhone 13 for its newer A15 chip, lighter body, main-camera sensor-shift stabilization, and Cinematic mode. Apple’s original US starting prices differed by $200, with the iPhone 13 launching lower—but that is a historical price comparison, not a guide to what either phone costs today.
How do the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 compare?
Both are 6.1-inch iPhones with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage options. The differences that matter most are the rear-camera setup, chip generation, weight, and video features.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Starlight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $270.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $269.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $185.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $286.73 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED; 2532 × 1170; 460 ppi; 800 nits typical, 1,200 nits HDR | 6.1-inch OLED; 2532 × 1170; 460 ppi; 800 nits typical, 1,200 nits HDR |
| Chip | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| Rear cameras | Three 12MP cameras: Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto | Two 12MP cameras: Main and Ultra Wide |
| Zoom | 2× optical zoom in and out; 4× optical range; up to 10× digital photo zoom | 2× optical zoom out; up to 5× digital photo zoom |
| Notable camera features | LiDAR-assisted Night mode portraits; Apple ProRAW; dual optical image stabilization on Wide and Telephoto | Sensor-shift stabilization on Main; Smart HDR 4; Photographic Styles; Cinematic mode at 1080p/30 fps |
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.65 mm |
| Weight | 189 g (Apple’s US specifications) | 174 g |
| Materials | Stainless-steel design; textured matte glass back | Aluminum design; glass back |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Water resistance | IP68; laboratory rating of up to 6 m for 30 minutes | IP68; laboratory rating of up to 6 m for 30 minutes |
These are Apple-listed specifications, not results from a head-to-head test. See Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro technical specifications and iPhone 13 technical specifications.
Which phone has the better camera?
Choose iPhone 12 Pro for telephoto framing and ProRAW
The 12 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, giving you 2× optical zoom in and out and a stated 4× optical range. It also supports Apple ProRAW, which is useful if you want more latitude for editing captured photos. LiDAR-assisted Night mode portraits are another listed distinction.
#1 Best Overall
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Choose iPhone 13 for stabilization and Cinematic mode
The iPhone 13 has no dedicated telephoto camera, but its Main camera uses sensor-shift stabilization. It also adds Cinematic mode video recording at 1080p/30 fps, along with Smart HDR 4 and Photographic Styles. Its listed zoom is 2× optical zoom out and up to 5× digital photo zoom.
There is no single camera winner based on these specifications alone: the 12 Pro offers more lens and capture-format flexibility, while the 13 has newer listed camera features. The available specifications do not establish comparative photo or video quality through independent testing.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
What is the price difference?
At launch in the United States, Apple set the iPhone 12 Pro’s starting price at $999 in 2020. The iPhone 13 launched at $799 before trade-in in 2021. The iPhone 13’s original starting price was therefore $200 lower, calculated from those two Apple launch prices. This is a historical MSRP comparison, not a current street-price quote. Sources: Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro launch announcement and iPhone 13 launch announcement.
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Current prices for used, refurbished, or remaining new-stock phones were not established here. For a purchase today, compare like-for-like storage and check condition, battery health, warranty and return terms, seller reputation, and carrier-lock status in your market.
Rank #3
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
Which one is the better fit?
Pick iPhone 12 Pro if camera flexibility matters most
- You want a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom in.
- You plan to use Apple ProRAW in an editing workflow.
- You prefer its stainless-steel exterior and textured matte glass back.
Pick iPhone 13 if a lighter phone and newer generation matter more
- You prefer the A15 Bionic over the 12 Pro’s A14 Bionic.
- You want a lighter device: Apple lists the iPhone 13 at 174 g and the 12 Pro at 189 g on its US specifications page.
- You want sensor-shift stabilization on the Main camera or Cinematic mode at 1080p/30 fps.
Apple’s US iPhone 12 Pro specifications list its weight as 189 g (6.66 oz); Apple’s Spanish support page lists 187 g. The comparison above uses the US figure consistently, so check the specifications for your market if exact weight is important.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you know about battery life and water resistance?
This comparison does not establish a direct battery-life result for the iPhone 13 versus the iPhone 12 Pro. Apple’s iPhone 13 launch announcement compared its battery claim with iPhone 12, not 12 Pro, so that figure should not be treated as a direct result for these two models.
Rank #4
- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Both phones carry an IP68 rating, with Apple listing a laboratory rating of up to 6 metres for 30 minutes. Water resistance is not permanent: Apple says it can decline with normal wear. For a used phone, do not treat the original rating as proof that the individual device remains water-resistant.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
