Is it worth to upgrade from an iPhone 12 to an iPhone 13?
We saw the unveiling of the new iPhones with the kind of hype that only Apple events can bring. The iPhone 13 series is ready to ship to eager purchasers in certain countries, including India, just a week later.
As it is common, users begin to consider whether to get the most recent iPhone or the previous year’s model at a lesser price, or, better yet, to simply continue with their old iPhone for another few months. If you fall anywhere in between the first two scenarios, here’s a handy comparison to explain how the new iPhone 13 differs from the iPhone 12 from last year.
Design comparison between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12
We weren’t criticizing when the iPhone 12 brought back the flat design language of the iPhone 5 era. Thankfully, Apple has kept the same design for the iPhone 13, but with a few minor modifications.
The notch on the front is noticeably reduced – Apple claims it is up to 20% smaller than before. While this means more space at the top, it’ll be interesting to watch how Apple utilizes the additional space. The camera array on the back is slightly different. The lenses on the iPhone 12 were stacked vertically, however on the iPhone 13, they are stacked diagonally.
In terms of dimensions, there isn’t much difference between the two. The iPhone 13 is only 0.15mm thicker than the iPhone 12. It’s also 173 gms heavier, but both of these differences are likely to go unnoticed in everyday use.
Display Comparison between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12
Apple has adjusted the display rather than completely overhauling it. With a resolution of 2532×1170 pixels, you still get a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. However, the brightness levels have been increased by 28% to 800 nits this time.
Apple also states that HDR content has a higher peak brightness, which should improve contrast. The iPhone 13’s display may not have the super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate reserved for the Pro versions, but it’s no slouch.
Camera Comparison between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12
On the iPhone 13, Apple keeps the dual 12MP cameras – one wide-angle and one ultra-wide angle.
The wide-angle lens has a larger sensor than the iPhone 12 and can let in up to 47% more light. This leads to less noise in pictures and better low-light performance. Sensor-shift optical image stabilization, which was borrowed from the iPhone 12 Pro Max, is also included in this lens. This helps in the reduction of blurs and the capture of super-sharp photos when clicking handheld.
The iPhone 12 is better at shooting videos but on paper, the iPhone 13 is better. Dolby Vision HDR footage can be recorded on iPhone13 at the fastest frame rates. A new feature called Cinematic Mode allows you to shoot video with a Hollywood-style ‘rack effect,’ which allows you to shift focus and depth from one face to another within a frame.
Power Comparison between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12
In the power department, the theme of subtle advancements continues. While the A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 was no slouch, the A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 is said to take things to another level.
The new chip, according to Apple, is up to 50% faster than the competition and has up to 30% faster graphics. It’s too early to say how this will feel in the real world, but suffice it to say that everything will move at rapid speed.
All of this power, however, will not lead to a deterioration of battery life. The iPhone 12 has an ‘all-day battery life,’ while the iPhone 13 will have an additional four hours of video playback and ten hours of audio playback, according to Apple.
Which iPhone should you get: iPhone 13 or iPhone 12?
Is the iPhone 13 therefore deserving of an upgrade? Well, that is debatable. If you have an iPhone 12, the answer is no. However, if you have one of the older iPhones, the answer is probably yes.
On paper, the iPhone 13 has superior performance, low-light photography cameras, and battery life. However, these features aren’t nearly enough to convince you to upgrade from an iPhone 12.
If you’re looking to upgrade from an older iPhone, both phones have a lot to offer. The iPhone 12 is appealing because of its lower price since the release of the iPhone 13. It is now available for Rs 65,900.
However, if you want to show off the latest iPhone, prices for the iPhone 13 begin at Rs 79,900 for the 128GB variant, Rs 89,900 for the 256GB variant, and Rs 1,09,900 for the 512GB variant. The new iPhone 13 series will go on sale in India on September 24.