Do iPhone 12 cases fit an iPhone 13?

Apple has released new leather and silicone cases for iPhone 13 and 13 Pro. But could you use a case for the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro instead?

One of the benefits of Apple’s previous strategy of offering S-generations of iPhones was the fact that the cases of the predecessor would also fit the new devices.

You might think that the same would be true of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro: on paper the dimensions have hardly changed:

• iPhone 12: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.4mm
• iPhone 13: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.65mm
• iPhone 12 Pro: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.4mm
• iPhone 13 Pro: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.65mm

However, you will notice that the new iPhones are fractionally thicker. The difference might be indeterminable when holding the iPhones, but that difference of 0.15mm is likely to mean that iPhone 12 series cases will not fit the new iPhones.

You might try squashing the new iPhone into an old case thinking that it’s a close enough fit, but remember the reason you bought the case: to protect your iPhone. If the edge of the case doesn’t overlap the edge of your screen your iPhone won’t be protected.

That’s not the only difference. If you compare the back of the two devices you will see differences in the layout of the cameras.

In the case of the iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro the camera module is larger on the newer iPhone. Apple does not list any dimensions on its comparison page, but this can be seen by the position of the Apple logo. The logo is perfectly centered on the back of both models, but in the case of the camera module of the iPhone 13 Pro the logo is much closer to the camera section.

Want to buy one of Apple’s new cases? Here’s a selection:

• iPhone 13 Silicone Case with MagSafe, £49/$49
• iPhone 13 Clear Case with MagSafe, £49/$49
• iPhone 13 Leather Case with MagSafe, £59/$59
• iPhone 13 Pro Silicone Case with MagSafe, £49/$49
• iPhone 13 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe, £49/$49
• iPhone 13 Pro Leather Case with MagSafe, £59/$59

Read our round up of the best cases for iPhone 13.

Do iPhone 13 cases fit iPhone 13 Pro?

So, the iPhone 12 cases won’t fit the iPhone 13, but the iPhone 13 cases will fit the iPhone 13 Pro right? Wrong!

To complete the confusion: an iPhone 13 case will not fit an iPhone 13 Pro due to the larger camera module discussed above.

So, while in 2020 an iPhone 12 case fit on an iPhone 12 Pro this is not the case in 2021.

We are pulling together an overview of the best iPhone 13 cases, so stay tuned! In the meantime, here’s: The best iPhone 12 and 12 Pro cases, but remember they are no good for the new iPhones!

This article originally appeared on Macwelt. Translation by Karen Haslam.