The iPhone 13 series are Apple’s newest flagship smartphones, running on the latest iOS 15 operating system and packing the latest features, which we’ll take a look at below. The Pro models sport smooth 120Hz OLED displays, while all iPhone 13 variants have been upgraded to Apple’s A15 Bionic processor, bigger batteries and bigger storage options over last year.
The latter allows for making longer video recordings, taking more photos, and downloading more movies and music directly on the iPhone, to be available for watching and listening even when offline.
iPhone 13 series features summarized
- 120Hz ProMotion OLED display (iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max) / 60Hz OLED display (iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini)
- Larger storage options
- 5G and Wi-Fi 6E support
- 25% smaller notch over last year’s models
- Larger batteries, improved battery life
- Improved cameras with optical zoom
- New color options
iPhone 13 release date
Announced on September 14, 2021, the iPhone 13 series are now available for pre-order and will start shipping on Friday, September 24.
iPhone 13 price and pre-orders
Despite starting at double the storage, the new iPhone 13 series retain the prices of their predecessors.
The price of each iPhone 13 model depends on the storage option you choose. For reference, below are the iPhone 13 prices at launch:
| Model | 128GB of storage | 256GB of storage | 512GB of storage | 1TB of storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | $699 | $749 | $849 | |
| iPhone 13 | $799 | $849 | $949 | |
| iPhone 13 Pro | $999 | $1099 | $1299 | |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | $1099 | $1199 | $1399 |
Should you buy the iPhone 13?
You should buy the iPhone 13 if you’re satisfied with what it brings to the table over the previous generation. Notably, better cameras with wide-angle autofocus, twice as smooth 120Hz ProMotion display on the Pro and Pro Max, as well as improved battery life performance.
The camera of the iPhone 13 Pro Max in particular supports 2.5X optical zoom, and that model also comes with up to 1TB of storage, more than on any other iPhone before it.
Thus, if you’re currently often finding yourself having to clear storage on your iPhone, it might be worth upgrading to the iPhone 13 and taking advantage of the fact that all models have higher base storage capacity.
You should not buy Apple’s 2021 iPhone if nothing we’ve mentioned here gets you excited. The iPhone 13 arguably isn’t a major upgrade over its predecessor, so using a 12 model for another year is perfectly fine.
We expect bigger upgrades for next year’s iPhone 14, so you may want to hold on to your current iPhone for another year and upgrade only when Apple actually introduces something that you find truly new and exciting.
Should you upgrade from an older iPhone to the iPhone 13?
Although getting the 2021 iPhone over last year’s model won’t be a huge upgrade, it will bring some appealing new features. Unfortunately those don’t include a smoother display, which remains at 60Hz, but you will be getting a slightly larger battery, a more powerful A15 Bionic processor and faster Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
Ultimately, with this upgrade you’ll be getting a smoother 120Hz display, a faster A15 Bionic chip and faster Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
If you upgrade to the iPhone 13 Pro Max you’ll be able to enjoy a 120Hz display, twice as smooth as the 60Hz display of the 12 Pro Max. In addition, the battery size of the new iPhone 13 Pro Max has been increased, which should theoretically make it a better performer when it comes to battery life, even with a smoother display.
Currently using the iPhone 12 mini instead? Unlike with the Pro models, there’s less incentive to upgrade from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 13 mini – both have 60Hz OLED screens, so no notable display upgrade here. However, the iPhone 13 mini has a smaller notch, which really makes a difference when it comes to the mini models, plus, of course, a faster A15 Bionic processor and a larger battery.
In this case there’s plenty to be excited for, in terms of upgrades. Unlike the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has the new flat-edges design all Apple products have slowly morphed into as of late.
Aside from the more modern look, an upgrade to the iPhone 13 Pro Max will get you a larger, more fluid 120Hz OLED ProMotion display, the two generations newer A15 processor with 6GB of RAM as opposed to 4, and a bigger battery. In addition, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has 5G support, unlike the 11 Pro Max.
Upgrading from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 13 you’ll be getting the newer, flat-edge phone design with smaller bezels Apple has now moved on to.
The iPhone 13 also has a notably better OLED display with more vibrant colors and pitch blacks, as opposed to the iPhone 11’s LCD display. Aside from also the usual processor and camera quality upgrades, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 13 share about the same-size battery and Face ID technology for face unlock.
Should you switch from an Android phone to the iPhone 13?
The two phones, or any Android phone compared to an iPhone is likely to feel quite different at first. Phone designs aside, Android is a more “open” operating system that lets the user almost fully customize it, download apps from third party sources other than Google’s own Play Store, and more.
iPhones run on iOS, which prides itself in being a highly secure and privacy-respecting operating system, but it provides much less customization options to iPhone users and they’re only allowed to download pre-approved apps from Apple’s App Store.
While this is restrictive, it can also be considered a solid security measure, as it is much more difficult for an iPhone user to accidentally download and run a malicious app. In addition, iOS allows iPhone users to out of tracking, thanks to the App Tracking Transparency feature that Apple introduced back on iOS 14.5.
iPhone 13 series overview
Announced and released in September of 2021, the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are Apple’s newest flagship smartphones, successors to the 2020 iPhone 12 series.
Below we’ll take a look at all iPhone 13 models, including their specs to see what makes each one stand out, and which might be the right model for you.
iPhone 13 overview
| iPhone 13 specs | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1 inches 2532 x 1170 pixels 60Hz Refresh rate |
| Camera | 12 MP (Dual camera) 12 MP front |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Battery | 3095 mAh |
The iPhone 13 is the model that most people are likely to get – not too small and not too large. It comes with a 6.1-inch display, which uses OLED technology like the other models.
iPhone 13 Pro overview
| iPhone 13 Pro specs | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1 inches 2532 x 1170 pixels 120Hz Refresh rate |
| Camera | 12 MP (Triple camera) 12 MP front 2.5X optical zoom |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Battery | 3095 mAh |
The iPhone 13 Pro has the same screen size as the iPhone 13, but comes with more built-in storage and an additional LiDAR sensor on the back.
iPhone 13 Pro Max overview
| iPhone 13 Pro Max specs | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches 2778 x 1284 pixels 120Hz Refresh rate |
| Camera | 12 MP (Triple camera) 12 MP front 2.5X optical zoom |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Battery | 4352 mAh |
As the name suggests, iPhone 13 Pro Max is the biggest and most expensive model in the iPhone 13 series. Unlike the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro with their 6.1-inch displays, the iPhone 13 Pro Max sports a 6.7-inch one. The display is also higher-resolution – 2778 by 1284 pixels and like the others, offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
In addition, the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s maximum storage is higher than on any iPhone released to date – 1000 gigabytes (one terabyte).
On the back, the iPhone 13 Pro Max packs three cameras and a LiDAR sensor. Its main camera supports 2.5X optical zoom.
iPhone 13 mini overview
| iPhone 13 mini specs | |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.4 inches 2340 x 1080 pixels 60Hz Refresh rate |
| Camera | 12 MP (Dual camera) 12 MP front |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Battery | 2406 mAh |
The iPhone 13 mini is the most affordable and smallest phone in the bunch, but that doesn’t mean its camera or performance are any lesser than on the bigger models. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a small flagship phone, light and easy to carry.
One of the iPhone 13 mini’s noteworthy downsides is the fact that due to its smaller size, its battery is smaller too, so it might not last you as long as the bigger models will. In addition, typing on its small 5.4-inch display is a more challenging experience than on larger phones that in turn offer bigger on-screen keyboards.
iPhone 13 design
Key iPhone 13 design features:
- Flat edges
- Glass back and front
- Metal frame
Key iPhone 13 design changes over last year’s models:
- 25% smaller notch
- Slightly thicker due to larger batteries
- Larger rear camera module with diagonal sensor arrangement
The iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro / Max retain the same design language as their predecessors. They still have the familiar flat edges, metal frame and glass backs. The camera modules are a bit larger than last year, and the sensors inside are now rearranged diagonally.
From the front – the signature notch is smaller than ever on the iPhone 13, significantly reduced from last year’s iPhone 12 models. The smaller notch makes a particularly significant difference on the iPhone 13 mini as compared to last year’s model, where the wider notch on its already narrow screen forced some display icons to feel cramped.
iPhone 13 Face ID and notch
The iPhone 13 series have a 25% smaller notch than last year’s iPhones. This is especially welcome on the mini and a noticeable upgrade from last year’s iPhone 12 mini, as its larger notch is taking arguably too much space on an already small 5.4-inch display.
Regardless of the smaller notch, all iPhone 13 models still pack the familiar Face ID technology inside of it. Face ID is used to recognize the user’s face for securely unlocking the phone, and can do so even in complete darkness.
Although some rumors hinted at Touch ID making its return on the iPhone 13, in the form of an under-display fingerprint sensor, this is not the case. However, Touch ID might still return on the 2022 iPhone 14, likely as an alternative option to Face ID.
iPhone 13 colors
The iPhone 13 color options range from the familiar White and Product Red to new and exciting ones like Matte Black. However, it’s worth noting that not all color options are available for every iPhone 13 model; some colors are only available for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, for example.
For reference, we’ve listed all of the iPhone 13 models with their respective available color options below.
| Model | Colors |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | White, Black, Blue, Green, Purple, (Product) Red |
| iPhone 13 | White, Black, Blue, Green, Purple, (Product) Red |
| iPhone 13 Pro | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Pacific Blue |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Pacific Blue |
Of course, you don’t have to stick with the default iPhone 13 colors. Check out our dedicated article on the best iPhone 13 cases you can get right now, which will not only to protect your brand new flagship phone, but give you new and unique color options to choose from. Note that your older iPhone 12 cases won’t work with the iPhone 13, due to its larger camera module, camera bump and overall thickness increase.
iPhone 13 display
| Model | Display size | Display refresh rate | Display technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | 5.4 inches | 60Hz | OLED |
| iPhone 13 | 6.1 inches | 60Hz | OLED |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 6.1 inches | 120Hz | OLED, ProMotion |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 6.7 inches | 120Hz | OLED, ProMotion |
Thanks to the reduced notch size of all iPhone 13 models, we now have slightly bigger displays over last year, which is particularly welcome on the iPhone 13 mini.
In addition, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max come with twice as smooth 120Hz displays over their predecessors. However, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini remain with 60Hz displays.
While the 120Hz ProMotion screen on the Pro models means you’ll be able to enjoy a more fluid experience when using your iPhone, a display that refreshes twice as fast does have an impact on battery performance.
iPhone 13 performance and technical upgrades
Powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone 13 is the Cupertino company’s highest-performing smartphone yet.
iPhone 13 5G and Wi-Fi upgrades
Like the iPhone 12 series, the iPhone 13 models have up to 20 5G bands and up to 32 LTE bands, which according to Apple is “more than any other smartphone”, aiming to deliver the most extensive coverage around the world. The 5G support on the iPhone 13 is also a great feature to have for anyone who wants a futureproof smartphone that will be able to connect to cellular networks for many years to come.
The iPhone 13’s W-Fi connectivity has been upgraded to be faster than ever, as compared to any previous iPhone. The iPhone 13 series support Wi-Fi 6E, which means that these phones are capable of operating on the 6 GHz band.
Unlike the previous 5 GHz band the iPhone 12 was capable of using, this one allows for more Wi-Fi channels that won’t interfere or overlap. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi 6E can have 14 additional 80 MHz channels and 7 additional 160 MHz channels, reducing congestion and interference.
Just like with 5G, the Wi-Fi 6E support on the iPhone 13 equates to greater futureproofing.
iPhone 13 USB Type-C or Lightning port?
Unlike the 2021 iPad Pro and the 2020 iPad Air, the iPhone 13, including the iPhone 13 Pro Max continue to use Apple’s proprietary Lightning port as opposed to USB Type-C for charging or wired file transfers.
The good news is that any previous iPhone accessories you may have, including Lightning earbuds, will continue working just fine on the new iPhone 13. Of course, with virtually all other flagship phones having moved to USB Type-C over the recent years, this could be frustrating to iPhone users nonetheless, especially new ones coming from Android.
iPhone 13 MagSafe
The iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 mini are all Qi compatible, meaning they can be wirelessly charged with compatible Qi wireless chargers and Apple’s own MagSafe Charger at up to 15W speeds.
The iPhone 13 series are also compatible with a number of Apple MagSafe accessories, such as cases, magnetic wallets and battery packs. The magnet array that holds MagSafe accessories onto the iPhone 13 is stronger than the magnets on last year’s iPhone 12, so MagSafe attachments are now less likely to accidentally fall off the back of the phone.
iPhone 13 storage options
As it was pointed out last year, 64GB of base storage just isn’t enough these days. This year, however, Apple has finally bumped up the base storage options from 64GB to 128GB. In addition, some iPhone 13 models come with up to 1000GB (1TB) of non-expandable storage.
| Model | Storage options |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 13 | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
iPhone 13 camera
Notable iPhone 13 camera features:
- Night mode
- Portrait Mode video recording
- 2.5x optical zoom (Pro models only)
- Autofocus on all cameras
- Sensor-shift stabilization
- Improved ultra-wide angle lens (over last year’s models)
- Larger camera sensors (over last year’s models)
Improvements to the iPhone 13 ultra-wide angle camera include a wider aperture, which should result in less noisy, sharper wide angle photos. The fact that the ultra-wide angle camera now also has autofocus should additionally help take sharper photos with it, when compared to last year’s iPhones.
The ultra-wide camera also now uses six physical lens elements (the iPhone 12 had five), which in theory should help reduce image distortion.
The LiDAR sensor returns on all iPhone 13 models. Although not a “camera” in the conventional sense, the LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensor is in the camera module of the phones. The LiDAR sensor is essentially a depth-perception system with sensor-shift stabilization, which helps the phone capture better night-time photos and with stabilizing video recordings.
In addition, LiDAR is used for augmented reality experiences and is employed by apps that provide such. For example, the built-in iPhone Measure app uses LiDAR for better accuracy.
iPhone 13 battery life
Thanks to the more energy-efficient Apple A15 Bionic chip, the new iPhone 13 series should perform better in terms of battery life, even if the size of their lithium-ion batteries hasn’t been significantly increased.
| Model | Battery capacity | Max charging speed | Max wireless charging speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | 2,406 mAh | 20 watts | 15 watts |
| iPhone 13 | 3,095 mAh | 20 watts | 15 watts |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 3,095 mAh | 20 watts | 15 watts |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 4,352 mAh | 20 watts | 15 watts |
It’s worth noting that the iPhone 13 can reach its maximum wireless charging speed only when using Apple’s own MagSafe wireless charger. Slower speeds can be expected with Qi-compatible third party wireless charging docks and pads.
iPhone 13 speakers
The iPhone 13 series use a bottom-firing speaker, which works in combination with the earpiece. The two create a stereo sound effect; a wider, more spacious sound in general, than what a single down-firing speaker would’ve been capable of.
In addition, unlike the bottom-firing speaker, sounds from the earpiece is directed at the user, which adds to them experiencing a clearer sound with more defined highs.
We ranked the iPhone as one of the phones with the best speakers to get right now, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max having the biggest sound, as expected from the largest phone in the series. Of course, the much smaller iPhone 12 mini produces less impactful sound, slightly more tinny, but still well balanced and clean, with even a hint of bass.
The iPhone 13 doesn’t have a headphone jack, as is to be expected, but it does support Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, if paired with compatible Bluetooth headphones like the AirPods Max or even just when using the phone’s speakers.
What’s in the box?
- iPhone 13
- USB Type-C to Lightning cable
- Apple sticker
- User manual
The iPhone 13 series come with a USB Type-C to Lightning cable for charging and wired data transfer. In the box is also the documentation for the phone, a white Apple sticker and of course, the iPhone itself.
There is no power adapter included in the box, just like with last year’s iPhones and most Apple Watches since. Apple claims that not including a charger has reduced its carbon footprint and, as it makes the iPhone box smaller, more boxes can be shipped at once, thus reducing shipments overall.
According to Apple, users are likely to already have an old charger lying around that they can use with their new iPhone 13, and such reuse reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of precious materials, as no new chargers need to be made and shipped every year.
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