iPhone 12 Pro vs 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.

The quick verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro is the better phone, with a smooth 120Hz ProMotion display, the faster A15 Bionic chip, longer battery life and better low-light and macro photography. The iPhone 12 Pro still makes sense if you want a premium phone at a more affordable price, solid cameras and a slightly lighter device in hand.

iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro at a glance

Feature	iPhone 12 Pro	iPhone 13 Pro
Display	6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz	6.1-inch OLED, ProMotion 120Hz
Chip	A14 Bionic	A15 Bionic with 5-core GPU
Camera extras	Night Mode, LiDAR	Macro, Cinematic Mode, larger sensors
Battery	Smaller	Significantly larger
Storage	128GB to 512GB	128GB to 1TB
Weight	Slightly lighter	Slightly heavier

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro?

One of the biggest differences is the display. The iPhone 13 Pro has a 6.1-inch OLED with ProMotion 120Hz, making scrolling and gaming significantly smoother, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a 60Hz display.

Is the iPhone 13 Pro camera better than the iPhone 12 Pro?

Yes. Both have Wide, Ultrawide and Telephoto lenses, but the iPhone 13 Pro adds larger sensors for low light, macro photography, Cinematic Mode for depth-based video and improved Telephoto zoom.

Does the iPhone 13 Pro have better battery life than the iPhone 12 Pro?

Yes. The iPhone 13 Pro has a significantly larger battery than the iPhone 12 Pro, giving longer daily use, better endurance under heavy tasks and an extended lifespan before degradation.

Is the iPhone 12 Pro still worth buying?

The iPhone 12 Pro is a good choice if you want a premium phone at a more affordable price, solid camera performance and a slightly lighter device in hand.

Does the iPhone 13 Pro come in 1TB?

Yes. The iPhone 13 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, while the iPhone 12 Pro tops out at 512GB.

Sam Hargreaves

Sam Hargreaves is a UK-based founder and technology specialist with deep expertise in mobile phone trade-in, buyback pricing, and selling used smartphones. He has spent years working directly on platforms that calculate phone values, compare buyback offers, and manage the real-world outcomes of people selling their mobile phones online, including those looking to Sell My Phone.

Since the mid-2010s, Sam has been closely involved in how mobile phone prices are set, how trade-in offers change based on condition, and how devices move from customer to resale. His experience spans the full sell-my-mobile-phone journey, from initial quote through inspection, re-quote, payment, and resale.

Mobile Phone Buyback & Trade-In Experience

Sam has built and supported multiple phone trade-in and comparison platforms in the UK, covering thousands of transactions across popular devices including iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. His work focuses on fair pricing, clear condition rules, and reducing unexpected price changes for customers.

Pricing & Market Knowledge

He has extensive experience analysing how mobile phone values change over time based on model, storage, condition, and market demand. This insight allows accurate comparison between different places to sell a mobile phone and helps explain why prices rise or fall.

Device & Brand Expertise

Sam has hands-on knowledge of leading smartphone brands such as Apple, Samsung, and Google, with a detailed understanding of how device condition, age, and specifications affect resale value.

Consumer-Focused Insight

Beyond pricing, Sam understands common customer concerns when selling a mobile phone, including blacklisting, condition disputes, returns, and payment timing. His work reflects how the market actually operates, not how it is marketed.

Sam is recognised for providing clear, practical insight into how the mobile phone buyback and trade-in market works, helping people make informed decisions when selling their mobile phones.