⭐ 4.9 Google rating — loved by thousands of happy customers! ⭐
Fone 4 U, The Digital HubAccount
Excellent ★★★★★ reviews on ★ Trustpilot
22 July 2025

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 13: Which Is Worth Buying in 2025?

iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 13: Which Is Worth Buying in 2025?
whatsapp

Excellent trustpilot-five-star reviews on trustpilot-five-star Trustpilot

Free Delivery Minimum Spend €250

7 Days Support

18 Month's Warranty

Excellent trustpilot-five-star reviews on trustpilot-five-star Trustpilot

Free Delivery Minimum Spend €250

7 Days Support

18 Month's Warranty

Featured image
  • Admin Admin
  • 22 Jul, 2025

Updating your iPhone in 2025 but torn between purchasing the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13?
Both remain solid, budget-friendly Apple options on the used market, but which is ideal for you now?

Below is a brief, no-nonsense breakdown to enable you to make an informed decision.

 

1.   Quick Specs Summary

  • iPhone 12 (2020): A14 Bionic chip, dual 12MP camera, OLED screen, 5G, MagSafe compatible.

  • iPhone 13 (2021): A15 Bionic, dual 12MP camera upgraded, brighter display, thinner notch, better battery.

 

2.   Performance: A14 vs. A15

The iPhone 13's A15 chip is roughly 10-15% quicker than the A14 chip in the iPhone 12 and offers better graphics performance and efficiency, apparent in gaming, intense multitasking, and future iOS updates.

For regular social media, streaming, and browsing, both are responsive, but the iPhone 13 will be faster longer.

 

3.   Battery Life: Who Lasts Longer?

The iPhone 13 wins in this regard, with a physically bigger battery and optimized efficiency thanks to the A15 chip.

  • iPhone 12: Up to 17 hours of video playback.

  • iPhone 13: Up to 19 hours of video playback.

If battery life is important for travel, content creation, or workdays, the iPhone 13 is the choice.

 

4.   Camera Improvements

 

iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12: All The Key Differences – Pela Case

 

They both include twin 12MP cameras, but the iPhone 13 features bigger sensors with sensor-shift stabilization for improved-quality images, especially in low-light conditions. It also features Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode, which the iPhone 12 lacks.

If you take a lot of pictures or videos, the iPhone 13 is significantly better for quality consistency.

 

5.   Display & Brightness

Both phones have a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, but:

  • iPhone 12: 625 nits typical brightness.

  • iPhone 13: 800 nits typical brightness (brighter in outdoor use).

If you use your phone extensively outdoors, the iPhone 13 has improved sunlight legibility.

 

6.   Design & Colors

  • Similarities:

    Flat-edge design, aluminum edges, Ceramic Shield glass, and MagSafe support.

  • Differences:

    The iPhone 13 is slightly smaller in the notch department, giving you a little bit more screen real estate.

  • Colors:

    iPhone 12: Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, and Purple.

    iPhone 13: Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Green, Red.

If you'd rather have a smaller notch and bluer colors, the iPhone 13 is a tiny bit better.

 

7.   Storage Options

The Apple iPhone 13 starts at 128 GB, and the iPhone 12 starts at 64 GB. If you shoot a lot of photos or videos, starting at 128 GB is more forward-thinking.

 

8.   Software Longevity

The iPhone 13 will receive iOS updates for at least one year longer than the iPhone 12, making it a better choice if you plan to upgrade in 3+ years.

 

9.   Price in 2025

In the used market:

  • The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper (~€100–€150 less) than the iPhone 13.

  • If you have a low budget and you do not need camera or battery improvements, the iPhone 12 is still perfect for everyday use.

 

10.  Who Should Buy Which

Buy an iPhone 13 if you:

  • Need a longer battery life.

  • Take a lot of photos or videos.

  • Would prefer a brighter screen and smaller notch.

  • Want your phone to last you 3+ years?

  • Need at least 128GB storage.

Buy an iPhone 12 if you:

  • Want to save some money?

  • Just make calls, browse, and use social media.

  • Don't mind slightly less battery life.

  • Want an amazing Apple product at the cheapest rate?

 

So, is an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 better to buy in 2025?

 

If price is on your mind, the iPhone 12 is a great purchase in 2025 for reliable Apple performance at a lower price.

 

If you value an enhanced camera, battery, and future-proofing, the iPhone 13 is more than worth the extra cost and will see you through longer.

 

Final Take

Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 remain excellent in 2025 for those seeking a quality but valuable Apple experience, especially when bought refurbished on fone4u.ie, with interest-free payments via Klarna.

Explore our collection of reconditioned iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 handsets today and pay in 3 easy installments with no payslip.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the iPhone 13 features a larger camera sensor and sensor-shift stabilization, resulting in sharper low-light photos and steadier videos. The iPhone 13 also has Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode, unavailable on the iPhone 12, so it's the enhanced version if you like to take photos or videos.
Yes, the iPhone 13 has a larger battery and better A15 chip, which will provide you with roughly 1-2 hours of additional screen use per day compared to the iPhone 12. This will come in handy if you are using your phone a lot for videos, games, or travel.
Yes, the iPhone 12 will still receive iOS updates in 2025, but it will exhaust its updates before the iPhone 13, which will receive a bonus year of software updates, so the 13 is worth it if you plan on holding on to your phone for years to come.
It depends on your needs. If you require better battery life, enhanced camera performance, a brighter screen, and longer support, then the iPhone 13 is worth investing more money in. If you must save and still get great performance for everyday use, then the iPhone 12 is still a good buy in 2025.
If you’re buying your first iPhone, the iPhone 12 is great for general use at a lower price. If your budget allows, the iPhone 13 is better for photography, battery life, and future updates, ensuring a smoother long-term experience for a first-time user.
Social Share
Tags

Visit us

Bray27 Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 X6V29.30 AM - 6:30 PM
BallinaTolan St, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 XT029.30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sligo19 Grattan St, Knappagh Beg, Sligo, F91 P2WK9.30 AM - 6:30 PM
Chat with us