iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13: which should you buy in Cameroon in 2026?

iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13: our answer

Take the iPhone 13 if battery life and longevity matter to you. Take the iPhone 12 if you want to pay less: the screen, 5G and the camera are very close.

The iPhone 13 is the direct successor of the iPhone 12. It keeps the same 6.1-inch OLED screen and 5G, and brings a newer chip, more battery life and larger starting storage. This iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13 guide compares the two standard models, the ones many customers call the "plain" iPhone 12 and the "plain" iPhone 13.

Side by side

Here are the specifications published by Apple. The rows in bold are the ones that change.

The colours change: black, white, (PRODUCT)RED, green, blue and purple for the 12; (PRODUCT)RED, starlight, midnight, blue, pink and green for the 13. Pink exists only on the iPhone 13. Colour availability with us depends on stock: ask your adviser.

The three differences that matter

The chip, the battery life and the starting storage: these are the only important differences between the two models.

1. The chip: A15 Bionic vs A14 Bionic

The A15 Bionic is newer than the A14 Bionic. For everyday use (social media, video calls, photos), the difference is barely visible. It matters mostly if you keep your phone for a long time: a newer chip ages better.

2. Battery life: 19 hours vs 17

Apple announces up to 19 hours of video playback for the iPhone 13, vs 17 hours for the iPhone 12. That is two more hours, about 12%: you feel the difference at the end of the day if you use your phone a lot. Real battery life depends on use and battery condition.

3. Storage: 128GB minimum

The iPhone 12 comes in 64, 128 and 256GB; the iPhone 13 comes in 128, 256 and 512GB. So the starting iPhone 13 has twice as much space as the starting iPhone 12. If you store a lot of photos and videos, this is a real reason to choose the 13.

What does not change

The screen, 5G, the charging port and water resistance are identical: do not count them in your choice.

Both iPhones have a 6.1-inch OLED screen, 5G, MagSafe charging and a Lightning port. Both are water resistant down to 6 metres (IP68) and take a nano-SIM and an eSIM. Their weight is almost the same: 164 g for the 12 and 174 g for the 13. Neither has a 120 Hz screen.

What about the camera?

Both have the same dual 12 MP camera. The iPhone 13 adds sensor-shift stabilisation and Cinematic mode for video.

For everyday photos, you will see almost no difference. In video, the iPhone 13's Cinematic mode creates a blurred background effect that makes the subject stand out. If you film often, it is a real advantage of the 13.

Is the price gap worth it?

If battery life, storage or video matter to you, yes. Otherwise, the iPhone 12 saves you money without losing the essentials.

Here are the two models, with their prices read from our catalogue:

• 
  iPhone 12

  128GB · 4GB RAM · 5G · 2020

  189,000 FCFA125,000 FCFASee the model
• 
  iPhone 13

  256GB · 4GB RAM · 5G · 2021

  279,000 FCFA175,000 FCFASee the model

Note: in our catalogue, the iPhone 12 is offered in 128GB and the iPhone 13 in 256GB. Compare prices at the same capacity with your adviser before deciding. And the full table, with the Pro models of each generation:

And the Pro models: iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro?

The 13 Pro is clearly better: it adds the 120 Hz ProMotion screen, a 3x telephoto and more battery life. It is the biggest jump between the two generations.

The iPhone 13 Pro has a ProMotion screen up to 120 Hz, the A15 Bionic chip, a 3x telephoto and up to 22 hours of video, vs 17 hours for the iPhone 12 Pro. It weighs 204 g vs 189 g. Both have the same 128GB starting capacity in our catalogue. For the full families, read our guides iPhone 12 in Cameroon and iPhone 13 in Cameroon.

Which model for which profile?

Here is a quick guide based on your use.

Three mistakes to avoid when comparing

Always compare at the same capacity, with the same seller and with a brand-new, sealed phone.

• Comparing two different storage sizes. A 64GB iPhone and a 256GB iPhone do not cost the same. Check the capacity before concluding that one is "cheaper" than the other.
• Choosing on price alone. A very low price on an iPhone 12 or 13 should alert you: ask for the IMEI number, the warranty and a receipt. Our guide on how to buy a phone safely lists the warning signs.
• Confusing the 12 and 13 in a listing. The two look very alike. Check the exact model name, its capacity and its IMEI number before you pay.

Before you buy: three checks

For a phone of this value, check three points: the phone is brand new, its IMEI is clean and the warranty is clear.

1. Brand new and sealed. A genuine new iPhone arrives in a sealed box.
2. Clean IMEI. Our guide on checking the IMEI shows how to do it in a few minutes.
3. Clear warranty. Find our terms on the warranty and returns page and the delivery page.

You then order on WhatsApp, without creating an account. Your adviser replies in under 5 minutes and confirms the colour, the storage and payment by Orange Money or MTN MoMo. To see the whole range, browse our iPhone catalogue.

Our sources

• iPhone 12 technical specifications, Apple;
• iPhone 13 technical specifications, Apple;
• iPhone 12 Pro technical specifications, Apple;
• iPhone 13 Pro technical specifications, Apple;
• the spec sheets in our catalogue.

Information last checked: 23 September 2026.