Head to head
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12
Full specs side by side — plus the one table nobody else shows you: what each phone actually costs to repair.
At a glance
- iPhone 13 is the newer phone (2021 vs 2020).
- iPhone 13 carries the bigger battery (3,227 mAh vs 2,815 mAh).
- iPhone 12 is lighter (164 g vs 174 g).
- iPhone 12 is cheaper to fix — screen replacement runs $119 vs $129 at our counter.
Specifications
Spec for spec.
| iPhone 13 | iPhone 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | 2021-09-24 | 2020-10-23 |
| Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2532 x 1170 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Chip | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage options | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB |
| Rear cameras | 12MP wide + 12MP ultrawide | 12MP wide + 12MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Battery | 3227 mAh | 2815 mAh |
| Charging | Lightning, 20W fast charge, MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | Lightning, 20W fast charge, MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W |
| Dimensions (mm) | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 |
| Weight | 174 g | 164 g |
| Colors at launch | Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED | Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED, Green, Blue |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB |
| OS at launch | iOS 15 | iOS 14 |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m / 30 min) | IP68 (6m / 30 min) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
Specs reflect the US models as published by the manufacturer.
What buyers pick
The configurations people actually choose.
Based on current used-market sales data, updated August 2026.
| iPhone 13 | iPhone 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Most-chosen color | Midnight | Black |
| Most-chosen storage | 128GB | 64GB |
Repair pricing
What each costs to fix.
Real walk-in prices at BK Wireless — every repair backed by a 60-day parts and labor warranty.
FAQ
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12, answered.
Which is newer, the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 13 is newer — it launched in 2021, while the iPhone 12 launched in 2020.
Which has the bigger battery?
The iPhone 13: 3,227 mAh vs 2,815 mAh.
Which is cheaper to repair?
Screen replacement is $119 for the iPhone 12 and $129 for the iPhone 13 at BK Wireless — both with a 60-day parts and labor warranty.
Does BK Wireless repair the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 12?
Yes — both. Walk into 1054 Beach 20th Street in Far Rockaway for same-day screen, battery, and charging port repairs on either phone, backed by a 60-day warranty. No appointment needed.
Can I trade in my old phone toward either one?
Yes. Bring your current phone and a photo ID — we test it in front of you and pay cash on the spot, working or broken.
Upgrading to either one?
Get cash for your current phone at 1054 Beach 20th Street — tested in front of you, paid on the spot.
Get cash todayAll device comparisons · iPhone 13 repairs · iPhone 12 repairs · Free IMEI check