Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 13

Our Verdict: The SIM-free listings put Apple iPhone 12 ahead of Apple iPhone 13 on cost. Apple iPhone 12 is shown at £134.99, while Apple iPhone 13 starts from £199.95. The screens are not a one-way result: Apple iPhone 12 lists a 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED display, while Apple iPhone 13 uses a 6.1" OLED panel. Apple iPhone 13 offers more headroom at up to 512GB rather than Apple iPhone 12's 256GB. Apple iPhone 12 is lighter at 164g, compared with Apple iPhone 13 at 173g, Apple iPhone 13 lists the larger battery capacity, 3,227 mAh against Apple iPhone 12's 2,815 mAh. For most shoppers this points to Apple iPhone 12 as the value choice, while Apple iPhone 13 is the upgrade pick for screen quality, storage, or software preference.

The 12 is the cheaper one to own: around £359 over a typical contract, £74 less than the 13.

Expert Rating
4.3
18 reviews
4.6
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.1"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED OLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 2532 x 1170
Pixels Per Inch
457 457
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A15 Bionic
Battery
2,815 mAh 3,227 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS
iOS 14.1 Apple iOS
SIM Type
Standard SIM nano-SIM and e- SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.0 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm
Weight
164 grams 173 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£11.99/mo (£49.00 upfront) £12.99/mo (£99.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£140.00 £199.95

Prices updated 20 July 2026

Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13
Expert Rating 4.3
18 reviews
4.6
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.1"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED OLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 2532 x 1170
Pixels Per Inch 457 457
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic Apple A15 Bionic
Battery 2,815 mAh 3,227 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS iOS 14.1 Apple iOS
SIM Type Standard SIM nano-SIM and e- SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.0 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm
Weight 164 grams 173 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £11.99/mo
£49.00 upfront
£12.99/mo
£99.00 upfront
SIM-free £140.00 £199.95
Prices updated 20 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12
Apple iPhone 12

24 Months

64GB

White

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£11.99 per month, £49 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10)

Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13

24 Months

128GB

Green

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£12.99 per month, £99 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 13 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper on contract at £359.16 over the life of the deal from £11.99 per month with £49.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 13?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 12 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 13 has a OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 13?

The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 13 has a 12 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 13?

The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £140.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 13?

The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Apple iPhone 13 comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 13 use?

The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 13 uses the Apple A15 Bionic.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 13?

The Apple iPhone 12 is the more portable of the two: it's 9g lighter at 164 grams, both are similar in overall footprint.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 or Apple iPhone 13?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 13 run?

The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Apple iPhone 13 runs Apple iOS. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.