Apple’s new iPhone, to be called the iPhone 13, is expected to have some handy new features, an updated design and several camera updates. But how do its rumored specs compare to the iPhone 12?
Depending on your personal smartphone wish list, last year’s iPhone or even iPhone 11, the iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 might be the right choice when choosing your next smartphone.
However, if you are not willing to wait to get your hands on the latest from Apple, the iPhone 13 might be a better fit for you. We don’t know the exact specs of the iPhone 13 yet, but here’s how the rumors compare to the iPhone 12.
It seeing like the iPhone 12 just came out, but we’re already pretty close to Apple’s next event and the release of the iPhone 13, which we expect to see in September. (Even the new purple version of the iPhone 12 is a few months old.)
We’ve gathered all the early rumors about iPhone 13 specs, including price, cameras, display size and resolution, as well as four models that may be coming soon to help you plan your potential purchase.
Here are the rumors we’ve heard so far about iPhone 13 specs and how they might compare to the iPhone 12. Just note that none of the iPhone 13 specs have been confirmed by Apple. Also, here’s how the iPhone 12 compares to the iPhone 11 and all the iPhones you can buy in 2021.
All about iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 feels completely different: it has shrunk in size and is noticeably lighter, its speed has increased. But its battery life, compared to iPhone 11, has not changed. And what’s worth the MagSafe accessory ecosystem…
It uses the same chipset that comes with the iPhone 12 Pro. It’s capable of up to 11 trillion operations per second. Its incredible processing power will be enough for any operations from the future, but you can start using it right now.
Apple completely redesigned the iPhone 12’s main wide-angle camera. Its aperture has increased from ƒ/1.8 to ƒ/1.6 – along with a redesigned lens system. This gave the sensor the ability to absorb up to 27% more light. It takes brighter, more detailed, crisper, and more contrast-rich photos.
Instead of the IPS screen used in iPhone 11, iPhone 12 has an OLED display called Super Retina XDR. Its density increased from 326 to 460 pixels per inch, and the contrast – from 1400:1 to 2 000 000:1. The latter is clearly visible when using the dark interface mode.
The traditional continuity in Apple’s design was retained in the iPhone 12 but got a lot of nice innovations. It became 0.9 mm thinner than its predecessor, and its weight was reduced by as much as 32 grams. The frame around the screen has also become significantly thinner. Its length and width were significantly reduced – 4.2 mm each.
The front panel of the iPhone 12 is made using Ceramic Shield technology. In its manufacture, ceramic nanocrystals are added to the matrix glass, which is stronger than many metals. This, along with the installation of the display at the same level as the frame, has reduced the risk of breaking it during a fall.
It exceeds the IP68 standard for moisture protection. Apple tests the new gadgets by immersing them in water for up to 30 minutes in depths of up to 6 meters. Yes, with such a device is not afraid to be in the pouring rain. You can leave it on a lounge chair by the pool or take it in wet hands after swimming in the sea.
It is available in five variants: in addition to the traditional white and black it is also available in (PRODUCT)RED. The redesigned green and the all-new blue are worth a special mention. Today these shades look as fresh and really stylish as possible.
The iPhone 12 received support for MagSafe magnetic accessories. These include a variety of cases and cardholders, as well as wireless chargers. Stations that support this technology can fill the gadget with energy up to two times faster than conventional Qi.
There are noticeable differences in the iPhone 12 from its recent predecessors both in appearance and to the touch. The novelty can be compared to the lines of iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. From the first, it has a glass front and back panel, from the latter – their attachment to the side frame butt to butt.
At first, it seems that the new case will cut into the hand and cause unpleasant feelings. But due to the correct processing of the corners, this does not happen. Moreover, the device, in comparison with iPhone 11, looks like a step forward. It is smaller and lighter, but with a better display with minimal bezels.
Judging by the popularity of the new generation of iPhones, people welcomed the new design – and this despite the price increase. All the same, against the background of its predecessors the iPhone 12 has become noticeably more expensive, but this does not confuse new owners, sales statistics confirm this.
If the iPhone XR or iPhone 11 looked “degraded” compared to the XS or 11 Pro, now the iPhone 12 looks very confident next to the iPhone 12 Pro. And if you carry the phone in a case, with a quick glance at the screen and you can’t tell the younger model from the older one.
Instead of IPS-display with a resolution of 1792×828 pixels and density of 326 pixels per inch, which was used in the iPhone 11, the novelty has a screen made on OLED technology. Its resolution is 2532×1170 pixels, and the density of 460 pixels per inch.
Otherwise, the screen is excellent: it is large enough, with almost the same quality as in the more expensive iPhone 12 Pro. Except that the brightness margin is less, but that’s a minor thing. But against the background of the iPhone XR or iPhone 11 the difference is enormous. Excellent black color, high resolution with the same large diagonal.
The new display supports HDR technology – while watching videos that use it, its brightness rises from the standard value of 625 cd/m² to 1200 cd/m². Previously, this was only available to gadgets with the prefix Pro – but now Apple has opened this feature for the baseline as well.
Real speed. It’s really impressive and immediately makes it clear that the iPhone 12 is a device with a performance reserve for several years to come. As of right now, there isn’t a single app on the App Store that can fully load the new Apple A14 Bionic chipset.
In a couple of months, when developers manage to leverage the new features of the processor, graphics and other systems of the chipset. It will be even more interesting to use the iPhone 12. Already anticipate even higher level graphics in games from Apple Arcade, as well as new features in programs.
Camera interaction. Apple gadgets have always had a really high-quality approach to taking photos and videos, and the company continues to rely on camera capabilities. The iPhone 12 captures up to 27% more light with its main camera, and that’s especially noticeable in the evening hours.
The iPhone has always impressed with its versatile video recording capabilities. Smooth clips without the use of improvised stabilizers and other cunning technology have turned shooting home scenes into a pleasant process. If you have a growing baby, you want to shoot their activities, watching the baby grow before your eyes.
And it’s kind of like the dry specs of the iPhone 12’s camera are the most common, but in practice it’s a handy and easy tool for cool clips. Accurate and fast autofocus, excellent stabilization, point, shoot, then another, and then another, and all you have to do is keep an eye on the available memory.
Special attention should be paid to the possibility of using night mode with all smartphone cameras. Thanks to the A14 Bionic chipset – it’s thanks to it you can activate this feature even when interacting with the ultra-wide-angle and front-facing one.
The phone can handle a day of active use, it lasts less than the iPhone XR but longer than the iPhone 11 Pro. The XR comes out with about 7 hours of active screen time per day, the 11 Pro has about 5.5 hours, and the 12 is at the 6-hour level.
And in case you forgot the passcode of your iPhone 12, here you can find useful tips on how to unlock iPhone 12 without passcode
The Three Main Drawbacks of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro
You can’t ignore three major flaws that you just don’t want to put up with for the money.
The first is the 64GB in the iPhone 12’s starting package. Part of that is taken up by the system, your apps with their data will take up another half or so, and the rest can be crammed into about two weeks of quality video in 4K at 60 frames per second.
Yes, a package like this is enough for beginners. But they will probably buy the XR or last year’s 11, and most likely even the SE (2020). The iPhone 12, on the other hand, is designed for the more advanced user.
Yes, the 128 GB version is more expensive. But the phone is not cheap at all, and now we have to pay extra for charging and memory. This is an unacceptable step, and nothing can justify it. Unless 64 GB of memory is also better for the environment. Or maybe the need to implement more subscriptions to the cloud service iCloud.
The second is the lack of a screen with an increased refresh rate of 120 hertz. Such a screen comes not only in flagships on Android but already in phones for 20 thousand rubles (POCO X3 sends greetings). But there are a few “buts”.
Apple, judging by all the leaks, tried to do it, but failed. For what reasons this happened is not known exactly. But according to rumors, the choice was between the introduction of 5G technology and a 120 Hz screen. Together, these technologies proved to be too voracious.
It’s worth remembering that Apple is the biggest phone manufacturer in the world. And for them, any change in the phones is much harder than for others. Also, 120 hertz are a double-edged sword.
Higher refresh rates are essentially only needed for two things: to increase the visual speed of the interface and frame rate in games or some very specific videos. There are very few of these now. And, although I notice the difference immediately, many people do not see it at all. But the battery such a refresh rate also eats much faster.
In the iPad Pro tablet, the company has implemented the technology ProMotion, which triggers a high refresh rate only in those moments when it is justified. For example, when interacting with the interface. But they have a different type of screen, and the battery is not an example of a bigger one.
So here Apple has apparently decided that the battery is more important, and to call it a disadvantage to the full extent does not allow me.
Well, the third disadvantage – 5G, and the fact that it is the main innovation of the phone. What’s the point? Apple is well aware that 5G is in its infancy, and this technology is not yet almost anywhere. But since people often keep their iPhones for five years at a time, the company is introducing the technology now.
However, there are a lot of inconsistencies here. 5G is one of the two main reasons why iPhones are becoming more expensive. And this technology is divided into two bands: regular 5G and mmWave (or ultra-wideband).
This variant works so far in just a few places around the world, and there are antennas for it in the iPhone. But only in the American version, not in the global one.
Useful Video: iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12
In this video information about which of these 2 iPhones are better, which have a future, which will last longer. If you don’t want to make a mistake then watch this video.
Reasons Not to Buy the iPhone 12 and Wait for the iPhone 13
Going to buy an iPhone 12? Take your time. The iPhone, expected as early as September, will have so many interesting innovations that it’s worth postponing your iPhone purchase until their next-generation release.
On the one hand, following this logic, you should never buy anything. Especially something that gets even better and more interesting around the same time every year.
But from the looks of it, the iPhone 13 (or iPhone 12s) will really pleasantly surprise us with new features. This means that it will not be a “cosmetic” update at all, as many people think. Some of these interesting innovations have long been used by Apple colleagues. Which does not prevent the iPhone from occupying nine positions in the top-selling smartphones in the world.
Apple doesn’t think it’s necessary to test promising technologies on users. And anything worthy of appearing on the iPhone eventually comes to them.
After studying the experience of new technologies by competitors, bringing them to perfection and creatively rethinking them. Not always, but in the vast majority of cases, Apple’s execution of these innovations turns out to be the best in the world.
But the most important reason to delay buying an iPhone until after their next generation has nothing to do with high tech. That’s where we’ll start. But first, let’s decide what we’ll call the 2021 iPhone. Apple, sources say, is calling it the iPhone 12s.
The 2020 iPhone SE its developers, between themselves, have called it the iPhone 9. We’ll find out what the 2021 iPhone will be called during their presentation, and call it the iPhone 12s.
The iPhone 12 Will Get Cheaper
It is believed that the iPhone 12s will be announced as usual in September of this year. Last year didn’t teach anyone anything, but let’s take it for granted. September 2021 is only six months away.
Everything we know about the development of the iPhone 12s and the preparations for their mass production seems to confirm this. Sales of the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max could continue even after the presentation of their successors (and they will continue), while they also become cheaper.
For example, now, if you buy an iPhone 11, you can save a lot compared to how much that phone cost in the first months of sales.
LTPO Displays with a Screen Refresh Rate of 120 Hz
LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) is a technology Apple developed with LG, which debuted in the 2017 iPad Pro and has been used in the Apple Watch since the Series 4. It differs from the currently widely used LTPS technology in terms of greater cost-effectiveness (by 5-15%) and a number of other advantages.
LG has never been able to create larger LTPO displays, but Samsung is quite good at it and already uses them in high-end smartphones.
Apple and Samsung have entered into an agreement. According to information from analyst Min Chi Ko, to produce and supply LTPO OLED displays for an unknown number of iPhones. The screen refresh rate in Samsung’s LTPO OLED displays is up to 120 Hz.
On February 16 this year, Apple received a patent for a technology that can increase the screen refresh rate to 240 Hz. But the displays developed at Samsung for Apple don’t support it. So the iPhone 12s, or maybe just the iPhone 12s Pro/Pro Max, will only have a maximum screen refresh rate of 2 times higher.
The iPhone 13’s Always-on Screen
Due to the power-saving capabilities of LTPO displays, the iPhone 12s with these displays will have the AoD (Always-On-Display) feature, which can be used to show certain data on a locked iPhone screen. For example – the time, battery level and so on. The feature is certainly useful; it has long been used in Android smartphones.
But it increases the power consumption of the smartphone, so it will be used only in the iPhone 12s with LTPO-displays.
Touch ID and Face ID
Since 2017, the number of iPhone models with support for Touch ID (fingerprint scanner) has been decreasing. In the current lineup, Touch ID is only supported in the 2020 iPhone SE.
The rest of the iPhones support only Face ID (visual authentication function). Recently, because of the pandemic, Touch ID is becoming more and more in demand. In the iPhone 12s, Touch ID support should come to iPhones with full front-facing screens.
Whether the fingerprint sensors will be placed under the screen (as in Samsung smartphones), or on one of the physical buttons (as in the fourth-generation iPad Air) is unknown. If the sensors will still be placed under the screen, what technology will be used in this case, too, is still unknown.
There are two – ultrasonic, which is used by Samsung in its smartphones, and optical, developed by Apple. The first one in Apple was recognized as unpromising, but Samsung managed to bring it to reason.
The New iPhone 13 Camera
In the iPhone 12s, and not only in expensive models, the camera system must be radically updated. Radical improvement of the camera system is confirmed by a variety of sources. The fact that it will affect all models of the line is known from rumors.
And it is expected that even in the simplest iPhone 12s (iPhone 13) will have a camera more powerful than in the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
No Connectors in the iPhone 13
The fact that at least one of the iPhone 12s models, and in the most expensive (or several), will have no physical connectors has been rumored for a long time. In early 2020, it was predicted for the iPhone 12, but then the disappearance of the ports was postponed until 2021.
It looks like all is not well with this, but this innovation could happen as early as this year. I’m not sure that this innovation will be awaited with bated breath. But it will be something interesting, new and different.
In fact, there are several other reasons. They also say that there will be more models supporting the millimeter band 5G. And that the iPhone 12s will be able to work with 5G in countries where it is now impossible (yes, we’re talking about Russia, among others). But in what countries it is not yet known.
Also, the maximum size of flash memory in the iPhone 12s Pro/Pro Max will increase to 1 TB.
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12
Insider Ming-Chi Kuo admitted in a publication that fans of the Apple brand should expect four iPhone 13 models. The company’s lineup will include a basic device, a smaller version with the prefix mini, an iPhone 13 Pro model and a top-of-the-line version of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
In general, in this case, there will be no differences between the upcoming generation of smartphones with the current one. However, some experts advise not to wait for the iPhone 13 mini.
The reason is the failure of the version of the smaller device of the 12th generation. The iPhone 12 mini is not in particular demand on the market. Because of this, the company even suspended production for some time.
It is likely that the marketers of the Apple brand will not step on the old rake again. It is easier for the concern to refuse to release a miniature version of the 13th generation smartphone than to fix losses.
Dimensions
May reports from insider MacRamus suggest that the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro may be thicker than their previous-generation counterparts. The models will get a thickness of 7.57 mm. In the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 Pro, the same figure reached the mark of 7.4 mm. The difference is small. Many fans of the Apple brand will simply not notice it.
Serious changes should be expected in the camera notch. The thickness of the specified module in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro will reach 2.51 mm and 3.56 mm, respectively. In the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro camera protrusions reached 1.5 and 1.7 mm.
Increasing the size of the module will have a different positive effect. The protrusion of the lenses will be prevented.
Prices
When it comes to cost, there is no consensus among insiders and fans of the Apple brand. In general, many experts note that the new model will not be distinguished by any breakthrough solutions. Because of this, the company may reconsider its approach to cost formation. Most likely, customers will see comparable prices.
Experts assure that in many respects the brand pricing policy will be determined by the coronavirus pandemic and the speed of economic recovery. Because of the crisis in the health care system, many people have lost their jobs and faced a serious dent in their budget revenues.
Naturally, users simply will not spend a lot of money to buy a new version of the iPhone in such cases. Fixing the price tag at the level of the current generation will make the gadget more attractive in the eyes of consumers.
Some experts expect a reduction in the price of the iPhone 13. Apple brand in this case can adopt the positive experience from Google and Samsung. Competitors of the Cupertino firm have already begun to reduce the cost of new flagship devices.
Update Rate
Most Apple devices have a screen refresh rate of 60 Hz. Competitors offer better solutions. Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi and other smartphones refresh at 120 Hz. This simplifies interaction with the smartphone, improves the quality of games, and reduces the risk of the slowness of the phone. It is likely that Apple will also decide to increase the refresh rate of the picture.
New Cameras
Insiders also talk about adding new cameras to the shooting module. According to rumors, the company plans to include a periscope sensor, allowing for multiple improvements in the quality of zooming during shooting. Each model may be equipped with lidar. The iPhone 12 has it implemented only in the Pro and Pro Max models.
Touch ID
Users can expect the return of the fingerprint scanner. And the fingerprint protection of the device will be implemented under the screen, rather than a separate button. Such solutions are on many Android smartphones in the mid-price category. The lag of the top models from Apple in this parameter is somewhat perplexing.
Ports
Headphone jacks in new smartphones should not be expected. However, the company may leave the Lightning port. At the same time insider Ming-Chi Kuo in one of the publications noted that the model iPhone 13 Pro Max may come out monolithic. Any connectors in the smartphone will be absent in principle.
Since the spring of 2020, there has been a global shortage of chips, caused by a variety of reasons, from the pandemic and the surge in demand for technology during the remote to the trade war between the United States and China. The component shortage has also affected the iPhone 12 series, which has not been as easy to find on sale as previous gadgets.
The Cupertino company even had to postpone the presentation from September to October. In 2021 the situation should improve: Apple was able to orient itself and reduce the impact of the crisis. Tim Cook talked about this in July.
| iPhone 13
|
iPhone 12
|
|
| Size and weight | similar to the iPhone 12, perhaps a little thicker and heavier | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm, 164 g |
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz (120Hz ProMotion is only available on iPhone 13 Pro models) | 6.1″ OLED @ 60Hz |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A14 Bionic |
| Memory | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage space | 64/128/256GB | 64/128/256GB |
| Camera | 12-megapixel wide-angle camera 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with faster f / 1.8 aperture | 12MP wide-angle camera Super-wide 12MP camera, f / 2.4 |
| Battery size | The battery is slightly larger than the iPhone 12 | 2815 mAh |
| Charging speed | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe wireless | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe wireless |
| Prices | From $830 | Prices for the iPhone 12 are expected to drop by $100 after the release of the iPhone 13. |
And here’s a detailed comparison of iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 specs. Keep in mind that the specifications below are based on rumors, leaks and expectations, so they may change in the final device.
In the middle of last year, among the most popular iPhone models were the seven and eight. These are older smartphones that have all but exhausted their resources. Most of their owners are thinking about replacing the device, looking in the direction of the upcoming family of iPhones.
The iPhone 12 also sold well at the expense of upgrading older devices – the growth of such orders was double-digit. The iPhone 13 models are sure to continue the trend.
The management of the “Apple” giant is also confident in the success of the upcoming gadgets and therefore increases the volume of their production. Apple expects to assemble 90 million phones by the end of the year. Although usually, the order is about 75 million.
In response, partners of the Cupertino corporation hire more workers and increase bonuses for new employees.
Judging by a recent survey of iPhone owners in the U.S., 43.7% of users want to upgrade to the iPhone 13. The list of expected features among respondents was distributed as follows:
- Increased display refresh rate (22%);
- Touch ID scanner under the screen (18.2%);
- Always On Display (16%);
- Reduced notch in the screen (10.9%);
- increased battery capacity (8.3%);
- High-capacity storage up to 1TB (8.1%).
Also on the list are new photo features, a more efficient processor and more colors for the iPhone 13. If the rumors are to be believed, all of these will actually appear in the next generation (except for the Touch ID under-screen).
