The iPhone 13’s main advantages over the iPhone 12 are its newer A15 Bionic chip, additional camera features, double the base storage and Apple’s higher video-playback estimate. Both have a 6.1-inch OLED display, dual 12MP rear cameras, 5G, Lightning and MagSafe. Whether the iPhone 13 is worth more depends on the actual price, storage, condition and battery health of the phones you’re comparing.
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13: specifications at a glance
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Chip | A14 Bionic; six-core CPU, four-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine | A15 Bionic; six-core CPU, four-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine |
| Rear cameras | Dual 12MP Main and Ultra Wide | Dual 12MP Main and Ultra Wide; adds Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode |
| Cinematic mode | Not listed | 1080p at 30 fps |
| Video playback | Up to 17 hours | Up to 19 hours |
| Storage options | 64GB, 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB |
| Connectivity and charging | 5G, Lightning and MagSafe | 5G, Lightning and MagSafe |
| Water resistance | IP68; rated for up to 6 meters for 30 minutes in controlled testing | IP68; rated for up to 6 meters for 30 minutes in controlled testing |
Apple’s iPhone comparison page is the source for these listed specifications. It does not establish a current market-price difference.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Starlight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $270.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $269.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $185.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $286.73 | Buy on Amazon |
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What changes with the iPhone 13?
One newer chip generation
The iPhone 12 uses the A14 Bionic and the iPhone 13 the A15 Bionic. That makes the 13 the newer generation, but the listed CPU, GPU and Neural Engine core counts are the same. Without comparable independent testing, a specific speed or performance-percentage claim would be unsupported.
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Both models have dual 12MP Main and Ultra Wide rear cameras. The iPhone 13 adds Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode, which Apple lists at 1080p and 30 frames per second. If those features matter to how you take photos or video, they are a concrete reason to favor the newer model; the camera count and headline megapixel figures alone do not distinguish them.
#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.
More storage at the entry level
The iPhone 12 is available with 64GB at its base tier; the iPhone 13 starts at 128GB and also offers a 512GB tier. That difference can affect both day-to-day usefulness and price comparisons. A 64GB iPhone 12 is not a like-for-like price match for a 128GB iPhone 13.
How much better is the iPhone 13 battery?
Apple lists up to 17 hours of video playback for iPhone 12 and up to 19 hours for iPhone 13. These are manufacturer maximum estimates, not a guarantee that a particular phone—especially a used one—will last that long. Actual runtime varies, and a used phone’s battery condition can change the comparison substantially.
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
Apple’s environmental reports give another pair of figures, but they should not be read as a head-to-head efficiency result. Apple’s 2020 iPhone 12 Product Environmental Report says the model uses 53 percent less energy than the energy conservation standard. Its 2021 iPhone 13 Product Environmental Report says it consumes 54 percent less energy than required by that standard, identified as the U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Conservation Standard for Battery Chargers. Those model-specific comparisons use a standard as their reference; the one-percentage-point difference does not show that the iPhone 13 is one percent more efficient than the iPhone 12.
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- Screen size and display class: Both have a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. The iPhone 13 is not a larger-screen upgrade.
- Core connection and charging options: Both list 5G, a Lightning connector and MagSafe compatibility. Existing accessories may still be useful, subject to the accessory’s fit and compatibility.
- Stated water-resistance rating: Both are rated IP68, up to 6 meters for 30 minutes under controlled testing. This is not a promise against water damage. Water resistance can also be less dependable on a used device.
How to compare the price difference fairly
There is no single current price premium that applies across markets and sellers. Compare real listings using the same country and currency, and check the details that change the value:
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
- Match storage where possible. Compare 128GB with 128GB, or 256GB with 256GB. If you compare different capacities, account for that difference rather than treating the prices as equivalent.
- Match condition and battery health. Check the seller’s condition grade and the battery-health information or threshold, if provided. Two phones of the same model can differ materially in usable battery life.
- Check lock status. Confirm whether each phone is unlocked or tied to a carrier, and compare like with like.
- Compare the seller’s protections. Review warranty coverage, return terms and what the condition description actually promises.
- Record the date and total price. Inventory and offers change. Compare the final price for each matching listing on the same date, rather than relying on a general model-to-model price claim.
For example, a 128GB iPhone 13 may be the more useful option even at a higher price than a 64GB iPhone 12 if you need more storage. But if the iPhone 13 listing has poorer battery health, weaker return terms or a much higher total price, the model name alone does not make it the better buy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which model should you choose?
Choose the iPhone 13 if…
- You want Photographic Styles or Cinematic mode.
- You want at least 128GB of storage and are considering a 64GB iPhone 12.
- The price difference is reasonable for you after matching storage, condition, battery health and seller protections.
Consider the iPhone 12 if…
- A lower-priced listing is your priority and its storage is sufficient.
- You do not need the iPhone 13’s named camera features.
- You find a better-condition phone or stronger seller protections that outweigh the newer model’s advantages.
Neither model is automatically the better value: the decision turns on the specific listing and your storage and camera needs. The specifications above come from Apple; they do not establish current availability, a universal price difference or a guaranteed software-support period.
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
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%.
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.
