Should You Wait for iPhone 13 or Get iPhone 12? – 5 PROS & 5 CONS to Help You Make Up Your Mind!

You’ve heard by now that Apple’s "California Streaming" event will take place on Sep 14, at 10 a.m. PDT. Without any doubt, that's when the iPhone 13 will be announced. So, the big question right now is – should you wait for iPhone 13 or get iPhone 12? We're sure you want to make the best possible decision, and we're here to help you achieve just that. 

The easiest way to reach a decision would be to check the list of pros and cons, which you can find below. So, depending on your needs and budget, you can decide whether it's worth buying the iPhone 13 or getting the iPhone 12 instead. Let's jump right in!

5 Reasons You Should Wait for iPhone 13

iPhone 13 won’t be a radical departure from the current iPhone generation. Still, it will bring a series of important improvements and enhancements. With that said, here are the 5 strongest reasons why you should buy the iPhone 13 over the iPhone 12.  

1. Smaller Notch

Back in May, we reported on Apple’s plans to reduce the notch on the iPhone 13. That won't exactly be a significant visual difference but should be noticeable enough. In fact, iPhone 13 will make the first time Apple’s shrunk it since introducing this type of design.

So, if you care about getting a more immersive viewing experience, iPhone 13 will bring just that. This minor improvement could mean a lot to those who spend a lot of time on YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming services. 

2. 120Hz Refresh Rate

Talking about display refresh rates is a bit tricky. That’s because not everyone notices that subtlety, which is one of the reasons why Apple decided to skip implementing it in 2020. Still, we have to say that we're huge fans of iPad Pro's high-frame-rate display, which looks fantastic and feels amazing. 

And yes, that’s because of the 120Hz ProMotion display, which will now find its way to the iPhone 13. However, keep in mind that a faster refresh rate should appear only on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models. 

3. Always-On Display

Based on credible sources, reports say that Apple will introduce an "always-on" display to the iPhone 13 lineup, made possible by higher (or lower, in this case) refresh rates. This feature is already available on specific Apple Watch models, letting you preview information on the screen without activating the device. 

Even though this is a minor feature, it really goes a long way. Starting with iPhone 13, you will no longer have to wake your phone every single time. Instead, taking a glance over its "always-on" display will notify you of any messages, missed calls, and similar. 

4. Touch ID

Even though Face ID has found many practical uses, not everyone is a fan of how it works. So, if you have an older iPhone that features Touch ID, you'll be happy to know that the iPhone 13 might provide an in-display Touch ID sensor. Of course, Apple might still decide to go without that feature, which means you’ll always have Face ID as a viable replacement. 

5. Battery, Camera & Performance Improvements

And lastly, it doesn’t come as a surprise that iPhone 13 will bring a whole slate of improvements. For example, we’ve seen reports that Apple plans to bump up battery capacity across the iPhone 13 lineup. Still, that doesn’t mean the upcoming iPhone will last longer (due to its high-refresh-rate displays, for one). 

In addition, the upcoming A15 chip might not be a giant leap forward. Still, it should provide more than what you'll need for the next couple of years. And lastly, iPhone 13 is poised to come with a 1TB storage option, essential if you’re having a hard time maintaining enough free storage on your phone. 

5 Reasons You Should Still Buy the iPhone 12

As you can see above, there are plenty of good reasons to go for the iPhone 13. However, you won’t make a mistake if you buy the iPhone 12 instead – and here are 5 solid reasons why.

#1 – More Affordable 

As soon as the next iPhone generation comes out, the previous generation receives a significant discount. With that said, you can expect to find the iPhone 12 priced at $599 once iPhone 13 becomes available. Therefore, you'll save $200 right off the bat, which is a substantial sum.

Of course, it’s impossible to say whether Apple will continue to sell the iPhone 12 lineup. Still, even if that doesn’t happen, you can expect to find reduced prices at third-party retailers. And yes, that doesn’t only apply to the base iPhone 12 model.

#2 – High-End Cameras

If you care about having a high-end smartphone camera, the iPhone 12 will meet your needs quite easily. That’s because no matter which iPhone 12 model you pick, you’ll get from two to three back-facing cameras, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, SmartHDR3, and Deep Fusion. 

And yes, the iPhone 13 will indeed bring camera-focused improvements as well. Still, even if you’re a professional photographer, the iPhone 12 and its ProRAW file system will give you plenty of room to explore your creativity.

#3 – Fast-Enough Performance

During the unveiling of the iPhone 12, Apple said that the phone brought the fastest CPU and GPU in a smartphone, which will hold true until the iPhone 13 comes out. That’s because the A14 chip comes with a significant improvement over the previous generation, with a 20% increase in both single and multi-core scores.

In all honesty, iPhone 12 provides more than what even advanced users will need for a while to come. And even though iPhone 13 will have the latest and the greatest CPU, that doesn’t mean you feel any difference in everyday use.

#4 – 5G Already Built-In

Even the smallest iPhone 12 (the iPhone 12 mini, more precisely) comes with support for 5G. So, if you’re after the fastest possible download and upload speeds, there really is no reason to buy the iPhone 13. That’s because even though Apple’s 5G debut helped provide a boost to the new technology, the 5G bandwagon still has a ways to go. 

As per the latest estimations, 5G subscriptions should pass one billion in 2022, mainly thanks to a push expected to happen in the Asia-Pacific region. With that said, the iPhone 12 already gives you access to 5G. And also, you can wait at least one more year until improvements come that justify getting a new phone. 

#5 – Unchanged Sizes

And lastly, reports say that the iPhone 13 lineup will consist of four phones – the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max, just like the last year’s iPhone generation. So, if you’re looking for a bigger or smaller smartphone, you already have every single option in front of you, as their screens will come in the same sizes as the last year's iPhones. 

You should also know that the iPhone 13 won't change anything in terms of its design compared to the previous generation. So, if you get the iPhone 12, you won't end up with an obsolete design if that's something that matters to you.

So, What’s the Bottom Line? 

If money is no object and you don't mind waiting a couple more weeks, iPhone 13 will most certainly meet all your needs. However, if you'd like to keep your budget under control and invest your money wisely, you'll get more value out of the iPhone 12 right now. 

So, what do you think? Will you wait for the iPhone 13 or get the iPhone 12? Let us know via the comments section below. And finally, thanks for reading!