Unlike 2020, Apple’s 2021 is not behind schedule and its new iPhone 13s were just delivered on schedule on September 14. Four new products are available: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Each is differentiated by its screen size, technical specifications and camera. A pattern that has become classic at Apple, and which uses the same logic as the iPhone 12 range, identical prices.
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Yet this new iPhone is quite different. The characteristics evolve the components too. Apple has developed several new features to continue to establish its reputation. In the center of attention, the iPhone 13, at prices between the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13 pro. It will be the most popular model. Like the iPhone 12, it replaces.
To help you had better understand the new features and changes in the iPhone 13, we put it against the iPhone 12 for a special iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 comparison. What are the differences between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12? Which model to choose, iPhone 13 or iPhone 12? Here is a page to help you distinguish between the two devices marketed by Apple.
Comparison: iPhone 13 or iPhone 12?
To begin in this comparison of the differences between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12, we will look at the design, the colors and the difference in notch size between the two smartphones.
Design differences
The iPhone 13 is a rather special generation for Apple: after the design changes of the iPhone 12 (which is inspired by the iPhone 4 and 5), and while waiting for the arrival of the USB-C port, a possible return of Touch ID, with a completely removed notch, this 2021 generation closely resembles the iPhone 12. On these major new developments in the calendar that we expected, Apple has sought to surprise us with unexpected features. His teams improved several points on the iPhone 12.
Still, the iPhone 13 uses the 6.1-inch screen of its predecessor. This diagonal is the perfect compromise for the moment between good readability and a compact device format to be easily transported and easily held with one hand. The borders are still square in format with sharp ridges like on the iPhone 12. The back is flat and the design is aluminum. The sides are a matte color, and the back is shinier. These choices make it possible to combine aesthetics and good support in the hand. Whether its iPhone 13 or iPhone 12, both fit perfectly in the hand.
Apple has decided to change places its lenses of its rear camera module. Whether or not this is a technical change, it is still very useful to recognize an iPhone 13 from an iPhone 12 during our comparison. From now on, the two photo sensors (because they remain two in number) are placed diagonally on the square module. The ultra-wide-angle module is always placed at the top, while the classic wide-angle module is located at the bottom.
A smaller notch on iPhone 13
On the side of the screen, another difference between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 is present. It concerns the notch. Apple has reduced the size of its small module, which swaps part of the screen reserved for the screen (its competitors on Android have left it aside for simple punches). The apple brand has not removed this little appendix for the simple reason that it welcomes Face ID technology for secure 3D facial recognition.
The notch size of the iPhone 13 is 20% smaller compared to that of the iPhone 12.
A year ago, the iPhone 12 should have already reduced the size of the notch, but Apple preferred to wait for the iPhone 13 for this evolution. To successfully compress the space, the different modules have been coupled to become one. The notch now features a face ID module and the selfie camera. The rest of the screen takes up the entire front part with ever-so discreet borders.
IPhone 13 or iPhone 12: which one has the best colors?
The iPhone 12 sold by millions and in addition to their price, the choice of colors by Apple played a lot. Leave aside the discretion of black, white or gray smartphones: the iPhone 12 added more flashy and fresh colors. In 2021, the new iPhone 13 uses the same logic that differentiates it from the iPhone 13 Pro. That said, the colors are a little lighter and more metallic. The colors of the iPhone 13 are more chic than those of the iPhone 12.
On the menu, customers can choose between the new launch blue color, or the red (Product) RED version in addition to a light pink, white and black. The purple and light green of the iPhone 12, or the yellow of the iPhone 11, have indeed disappeared and are not carried over to the iPhone 13. To take advantage of a more matte back and shiny borders, you should rather prefer the iPhone 13 Pro.
Comparison of technical characteristics
Traditionally at Apple, the new generation of iPhone is more powerful than the previous one. This is still the case in 2021 with the iPhone 13 and its differences with the iPhone 12. In terms of technical characteristics, the comparison of the differences iPhone 13 versus iPhone 12 puts the new smartphone on the top step of the podium in terms of power with its new A15 Bionic chip.
IPhone 13 is more powerful than iPhone 12
Who says new iPhone also says new Apple A15 Bionic chip. Apple engineers have particularly worked their chipset on the part of its graphics performance, which outperform most of the Android competition with a more powerful CPU and GPU (graphics power) by 50% and 30% respectively according to Apple. The power difference between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 thanks to the A15 Bionic chip is around 14% according to a first benchmark. The new SoC is also more efficient (it is engraved in 5 nm). It is more economical to let you enjoy a battery life as well as a 5G connection without problems.
The A15 Bionic chip plays precisely on wireless connection performance. The latter allows for better 5G performance, expanded millimeter wave support and better power management. It also adds compatibility with Wi-Fi 6E, an evolution of Wi-Fi 6, which already pushes back connection security, speed and avoids cuts for much greater comfort. Thanks to its move to the 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi is also more optimized to support virtual reality and augmented reality, without latency.
Autonomy and recharging
One of the things the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 have in common is charging. Before seeing the arrival of a USB-C port on future iPhones, the iPhone 13 always uses a Lightning port. It allows you to charge the iPhone wired using its ultra-fast charger. For wireless charging, the iPhone 13 still benefits from MagSafe technology, this magnetic ring that allows you to place the iPhone on its induction-charging stand.
As expected by Apple – supposedly for the sake of the environment – the iPhone 13 does not come with a charger: only one cable is available, from Lightning to USB-C. The 18W charging adapter is sold separately. Of course, it is possible to use an old charger on the iPhone 13, as it was on the iPhone 12. Finally, ultra-fast charging at 20W is compatible.
What about the battery life of the iPhone 13? In our special iPhone 13 or iPhone 12 comparison, it is important to talk about the duration of the full charge. The battery of the device is a little bigger which adds more in parallel to the more economical processor. This is how the iPhone 13 promises two and a half hours more battery life than the iPhone 12.
Cameras
Google and Samsung are serious competition for Apple on the photo side, and the iPhone 13 continues to improve its targets to stand up to its competition. What are the different between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 in the photo and video part? We will detail you right after this comparison.
“The changes are slight, but appreciable,” as our colleagues at iPhon.fr commented. On the iPhone 13, the two 12 MP sensors (wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle) do not scale much (the main sensor is larger though), but they now adopt optical stabilization. This advantage was reserved for the “Pro” line on the iPhone 12, which has much less stabilization. Videos on iPhone 13 will be qualitative.
In parallel, the iPhone 13 inaugurates the “Cinematic” mode. It also applies to the iPhone 13 Pro but does not exist on the iPhone 12. This is a new intelligent mode for autofocus, which allows it to automatically switch from one subject to another without having to manually select the faces or subjects where you want to focus.
Conclusion: why buy an iPhone 13?
Much like the iPhone 12, Apple thought of the iPhone 13 commercially. After two or more years with an iPhone 11 (or earlier), the brand’s customers want to switch devices, and the iPhone 13 has the entire latest tech to beat the competition from Android. For their part, iPhone 12 customers have bought their device too recently, and not many will want to switch. The iPhone 12, when released, was not aimed at iPhone 11 customers, but iPhone X customers.
