iPhones' cameras compared

The camera is better, but you may not like the supporting software, if you want more control over the way photos are captured. On the iPhone 13 it is no longer possible to disable Automatic HDR. It will use Deep Fusion, whenever the Artificial Intelligence thinks the conditions are perfect for Deep Fusion, and if it is wrong, you will not be able to take a simple shot, without oversaturated colours or motion artifacts caused by the fusion of nine images. On my iPhone 11 I can disable Automatic HDR and use it only, when I want it, but that is impossible on the iPhone 12 and 13. The camera will decide for you how to take the photo. It can be an advantage, because you are faster, but may be annoying, when you cannot take the photo as you want it.

Have a look at the camera specs for your XR and compare it with the currently available iPhone 13.

iPhone XR - Technical Specifications

iPhone 13 - Technical Specifications

I'm not a camera fiend, but a local expert (my daughter) says the camera in my iPhone 13 is much better than my older iPhone X. When asked for a qualitative estimate she said, "Heaps better".

I love my iphone 12.

Camera's are for images. I'd suggest the best way to decide would be to look online for the best images you can find for your XR, and compare with the same for a 12 or 13. Here are 3 of my favourites I've taken in the last 7 days. (I've reduced the size for the forum)

iOS camera app is geared to the average user who does not want to fiddle with controls but still wants to get good images and movies (i.e. have a cake and eat it too).

If you want more manual control, get a 3rd party camera app like Halide for images and FiLMiC for movies (I have FiLMiC but very rarely use it because now also the built-in camera has an option for 25 fps).

I would be happy with the standard Camera.app if we just could get the Setting back to keep the original photo in addition to the HDR version. I have missed some great shots by being stuck with only the HDR version with motion artifacts.

Yes, I always get the original + the HDR version (iPhone 5 updated a few months ago to SE 1st gen). Then I inspect both at the computer screen and have hard time deciding which one I prefer which one to trash.

You'll notice more than I would.

léonie is a demon on photos so be guided by that post. I'm a point and click photographer and not worried about much else. I should say compose and shoot because I have a good eye, but it surprised me in the early days why a phone needed a camera at all!

Wonderful colours and details, Tony.

When I still had the iPhone 5s I usually kept both versions, unless the HDR version had motion artifacts, or trashed both, when even HDR could not turn a poor image into something interesting.