Apple iPhone 13 review: The complete buyer’s guide

What was the iPhone 13 release date?

Apple released the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini on 15 September 2021 as one of its flagship devices. The smartphone features cutting-edge technology and, like some of its immediate predecessors, relies on the innovative Apple A15 Bionic chip. Thanks to the A15, the iPhone 13 delivers solid performance and advanced video recording and playback capabilities.

What are the iPhone 13 models called?

The iPhone 13 series includes:

• iPhone 13 – the base model

• iPhone 13 mini – a smaller version of the base model

• iPhone 13 Pro – an upgraded model

• iPhone 13 Pro Max – a larger version of the Pro model

Compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 12, the base model of the iPhone 13 is a bit more powerful. The question, however, is how does it hold up against to other options, including the iPhone 14. Is it currently worth the price compared to older or newer models?

Is the iPhone 13 outdated?

While it’s not the latest model, the iPhone 13 remains a relevant and excellent choice for 2024. Its iconic design continues to be visually appealing, and it houses a powerful A15 Bionic processor that ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and more demanding applications. The iPhone 13 also excels in photography, offering excellent image quality that rivals newer models. Additionally, its long battery life makes it a reliable option for users who need their phone to last throughout the day. As a budget-friendly alternative to newer iPhone models, the iPhone 13 provides exceptional value without compromising on key features.

iPhone 13 technical snapshot and specifications

At the heart of the iPhone 13 is the new Apple A15 Bionic processor. This system-on-a-chip (SoC) is specially manufactured by Apple, succeeding the iPhone 12’s A14 Bionic chip.

These can accelerate up to 2.99 GHz. For better efficiency and longer battery life, there are also four additional cores with a clock rate of 1.82 GHz.

This means there are a total of six cores in the iPhone 13 processor. According to Apple, the A15 Bionic outperforms the Qualcomm Snapdragons and the Samsung Exynos chips used in Samsung devices. It’s worth noting that tests comparing the iPhone 13 with the latest Samsung products have concluded that the difference is marginal.

Compared to the iPhone 12, the difference may be a bit more noticeable. The iPhone 13’s new processor offers 40% higher processing power and an 80% faster graphics chip than the iPhone 12.

The iPhone 13 also features an ambient light sensor that measures the amount and direction of light, enhancing the device's computational photography capabilities and improving the quality of images captured, especially in varying lighting conditions.

Here are the main tech takeaways from the iPhone 13 launch:

• Apple A15 Bionic chip with six cores

• Clock speed up to 2.99 GHz

• NPU with 16 cores and 15.8 trillion operations per second integrated

• Integrated GPU accesses four cores on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 size, screen dimensions, design, and display

The iPhone 13 offers a large 6.1-inch display, yet it is designed to feel comfortable to hold. If you prefer a smaller device with equally advanced features, you can opt for the iPhone 13 mini with a 5.4-inch display.

The iPhone 13 comes standard with an OLED display and offers a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels at 460 ppi. This Super Retina XDR display enhances the viewing experience with peak brightness capabilities of up to 1200 nits for HDR content and 800 nits for standard content. The display also boasts excellent colour accuracy, making it superior in various lighting conditions. When it comes to the screen size and specifications, there are no changes from the previous iPhone 12.

As for the infamous notch, it is noticeably smaller on the newer iPhone 13. As with the 12, the Ceramic Shield protects the surface from scratches and damage. The iPhone 13 colours offer plenty of choices, from dark Midnight to elegant Starlight and colourful pink, red, blue, and green hues.

The iPhone 13 screen is also significantly brighter than the 12. HDR content with a maximum brightness of 1200 nits is supported. However, the maximum standard brightness is lower at 800 nits.

For more information about the differences between the iPhone 13 base and Pro models, check out our iPhone 13 vs. 13 Pro comparison.

iPhone 13 cameras

The iPhone 13 has two 12MP rear cameras for wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle photos, featuring a dual-camera setup and various video recording options. A new sensor improves Night mode for better pictures in low light, along with Smart HDR 4 and brighter colours. The 12MP front-facing, or selfie, camera is also used for facial recognition and Apple Face ID. The improved low-light performance of the iPhone 13 cameras ensures brighter and less noisy images in challenging lighting conditions.

All recent iPhone cameras offer advanced features, and the iPhone 13 is no exception. The A15 Bionic chip helps you take better iPhone photos with optical stabilization and real-time calculations. Apple also introduced Photographic Styles, allowing users to personalise the tone of their photos. The Photographic Styles feature enhances user control over photo aesthetics, offering options like vibrant, rich contrast, and warm or cool settings.

Additionally, the Portrait mode functionality is available for both still images and video recording, enhancing the depth of field and focusing on the subject while creating a blurred background effect.

📹 What is Cinematic mode on the iPhone 13?

Apple released Cinematic mode for shooting videos on the iPhone 13, a feature that blurs the background of a shot while keeping a person in focus. With its new processor, the iPhone 13 is able to hold a defined focus point and fix the subject when panning. Take a look at this video, filmed with an iPhone 13, to see how the focus shifts from the foreground to the background.

iPhone 13 storage

Here's a reference table to see how the iPhone 13 storage options compare to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 14.

As with other iPhones, you can’t insert a memory card for additional storage, so you’ll have to make do with the space available or upgrade to the Pro models for larger storage options of up to 1TB.

iPhone 13 battery life and charging

The iPhone 13 battery capacity has increased to 3,227 mAh compared to the iPhone 12’s 2,815 mAh. There’s also a stronger focus on efficiency in the updated processor, giving the iPhone 13 a slight edge over its predecessor in terms of performance and battery life. The iPhone 13 boasts very good battery life, significantly improved over previous models, thanks to the increased battery capacity and more efficient processor. This makes it a strong contender not only among iPhones but also in comparison to many Android devices.

According to Apple, the iPhone 13 battery will last for up to 19 hours of video playback, 15 hours of video streaming, or 75 hours of audio playback.

Overall, the iPhone 13 seems to show that Apple is more focused on efficiency than on pure performance. This is evident in the iPhone 13’s improved battery life over the iPhone 12. For many users, battery life is a key factor when deciding which phone to buy. Ultimately, it depends on your individual needs and whether you’d prefer better performance or more efficiency from your device.

🔋 How long does it take to charge the iPhone 13 battery?

The iPhone 13 battery takes about two hours to fully charge with a 5W adapter. In a rush? The iPhone 13 is fast-charge capable, allowing you to get up to a 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher (sold separately, of course).

The Lightning connector port enables you to charge the iPhone 13 via USB to a computer or wall adapter. The iPhone 13 is also equipped with MagSafe for wireless charging up to 15W and Qi for wireless charging up to 7.5W.

iPhone 13 5G and connectivity

The iPhone 13 connects you to the world via the modern 5G standard and the improved Wi-fi 6E.

Other supported cellular and wireless connectivity options include:

• LTE

• UMTS

• GSM

• Wi-Fi 6

• Bluetooth 5.0

• NFC with reader mode

• Ultra wideband chip

What’s the difference between the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro?

The iPhone 13 Pro models offer some upgraded features compared to the base model. The Pro adds another enabled core in the GPU and an additional telephoto lens on the rear camera module. When comparing both the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13, there are notable design changes such as weight, camera features, and colour options. Accessories for both iPhone models, like cases and screen protectors, are not interchangeable due to alterations in size and features.

As mentioned above, the iPhone 13 Pro also features ProMotion to improve the user experience on some apps. You can get up to 1TB of storage space on the 13 Pro and Pro Max.

The battery capacity is also larger on the Pro models. The iPhone 13 Pro offers up to 22 hours of video playback or 20 hours of streaming video, while the Pro Max lasts up to 28 hours of video playback or 25 hours of streaming.

👉 Check out our full comparison here: iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max

Is it still worth buying the iPhone 13 in 2024?

The iPhone 13 offers great features, such as the OLED Super Retina XDR display, enhanced camera capabilities, and longer battery life, making it a really appealing option in 2024, especially for a price point around £300.* Additionally, the experience of watching videos on the iPhone 13 is significantly enhanced by its stereo speakers and superior display features, making it ideal for media consumption.

Of course, if you don't need those upgrades, the iPhone 12 and 11 could still suffice at a lower cost. However, keep in mind that they won't receive iOS updates for as long as the iPhone 13.

👉 See how the iPhone 13 stacks up against the 12 here: iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 13

On the other hand, the iPhone 14 will cost around £150* more than the 13 but includes some upgrades to consider. For more on how these compare, check out our iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 14 guide.

Whether the iPhone 13 is worth it depends largely on which smartphone you currently own and how big your budget is. If you’re still using an iPhone 7 or 8 and are a fairly minimal smartphone user, consider saving more of your budget on the iPhone 12 or 11.

If you're willing to spend a little more without breaking the bank on the newest iPhone model, then the 13 or 14 are excellent options as well.

Don’t forget to sell your old iPhone to give you even more budget towards your next upgrade.

*Prices found on www.backmarket.co.uk as of Aug 2024. Subject to change.

Buying refurbished iPhones

Buying a used iPhone helps protect the environment by reducing e-waste. Not to mention, you can get a top-tier device at a reasonable price. We even offer unlocked iPhone 13 phones, so you have the freedom to choose your carrier service as needed.

At Back Market, all smartphones are expertly repaired and tested by professional refurbishers. You’ll always know exactly what condition your device will arrive in with our transparent grading system. Every phone is guaranteed to be 100% functional, no matter what condition it’s in. Plus, your purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a full 1-year warranty.

We’re on a mission to make buying a used iPhone easy and accessible. Do your wallet and the planet a favour, and shop verified refurbished for your next purchase.

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