iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: What’s the Difference?
If you’re deciding between the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro, you’re choosing between two premium models with a lot in common — but also a few meaningful differences. Both phones deliver excellent performance, impressive cameras and Apple’s signature Pro features, so the right choice depends on what matters most to you.
Here’s a breakdown of how the two models compare.
You can explore both devices directly in our refurbished iPhone collection.
Design & Build
Both models follow the same overall design language: flat edges, stainless-steel frames and premium matte glass on the back. The key differences are subtle:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Slightly lighter
- iPhone 13 Pro: Slightly thicker and heavier due to a larger battery
To the eye, the phones look almost identical — but the 13 Pro feels more solid thanks to the stronger battery and camera module.
Display
- iPhone 12 Pro: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- iPhone 13 Pro: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion 120Hz
This is one of the biggest differences between the two. The 13 Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and gaming feel significantly smoother.
Winner for display: iPhone 13 Pro
Camera System
Both phones feature a triple-camera system (Wide, Ultrawide and Telephoto), but the 13 Pro includes several improvements.
iPhone 12 Pro
- Excellent image quality
- Night Mode on all lenses
- LiDAR scanner for low-light portraits
iPhone 13 Pro
- Larger sensors for better low-light performance
- Macro photography using the Ultrawide lens
- Cinematic Mode for depth-based video recording
- Improved Telephoto zoom
If photography or videography is important to you, the 13 Pro offers a noticeably richer experience.
Performance
- iPhone 12 Pro: A14 Bionic
- iPhone 13 Pro: A15 Bionic with 5-core GPU
Both are fast, but the 13 Pro delivers:
- better graphics performance
- more efficient battery usage
- faster photo and video processing
Winner for performance: iPhone 13 Pro
Battery Life
The 13 Pro has a significantly larger battery compared to the 12 Pro, offering:
- longer daily usage
- better endurance under heavy tasks
- extended lifespan before degradation
Winner for battery: iPhone 13 Pro
Storage Options
- iPhone 12 Pro: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- iPhone 13 Pro: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
If you need the highest possible storage — especially for ProRes video — the 13 Pro has you covered.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose the iPhone 12 Pro if you want:
- a premium phone at a more affordable price
- solid camera performance
- a lighter device in hand
Choose the iPhone 13 Pro if you want:
- the smooth 120Hz ProMotion display
- longer battery life
- better low-light and macro photography
- a noticeable boost in performance
Both phones remain excellent choices — and you can find great prices on each model in our refurbished iPhone range.
