iPhone 13 Vs iPhone 1: Big Advances
Since the iPhone 12 is 2020’s model, it’s using the older A14 Bionic chip. With iPhone 13, we now have the faster A15 Bionic, with a new 6-Core CPU that packs in two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores. The end result is an iPhone that is 50% faster than the competition, including its own predecessor. It even has a 4-core GPU that gives you 30% faster graphical power. In short, the iPhone 13 is the fastest iPhone yet.
The other big difference lays within the camera system. While the iPhone 13 still retains a dual camera like the iPhone 12, the configuration is now diagonal instead of vertical. The iPhone 13 also has Sensor-shift OIS , which originally debuted with the iPhone 12 Pro Max only. This means that the camera sensor is stabilized rather than the lens, which provides better image stability and improved photo quality. The iPhone 13 is also capable of Smart HDR 4 instead of Smart HDR 3, so your photos come out brighter and more vibrant, skin tones look more realistic, and just a higher quality overall.
On top of that, the iPhone 13 includes Apple’s new Cinematic mode for video, which lets you record people, pets, and objects with a depth-of-field effect like in Portrait mode. But Cinematic mode keeps the subject in focus automatically at all times, even if they’re moving, and you can adjust the focus point and bokeh even after capture. Cinematic mode works with Dolby Vision HDR, and you can record 4K up to 60FPS.
You Want Apples Biggest iPhone But Dont Need A Pro Max
Apple replaced the smallest iPhone with the iPhone 14 Plus. The 6.7-inch display dwarfs the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 Mini and gives iPhone owners the option to go big without the requirement of paying a premium for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is the same size as the iPhone 14 Plus.
The larger display is nice, but so is the battery life that a larger phone allows for. In fact, thats why Ive preferred the Pro Max models with every new iPhone release. Battery life on the bigger phones is better by several hours and is good enough to get through long travel days where Im constantly streaming music and using Maps, Uber and TripIt for travel-related activities.
With previous iPhone launches, if you wanted a 6.7-inch iPhone model, youd have to go with the iPhone Pro Max a device that starts at $1,099. The iPhone 14 Plus starts at $899 for 128GB of storage. The only downside? Youll have to wait for it the iPhone 14 Plus is currently available to preorder but wont start shipping until Oct. 7.
Best Screen Protector For iPhone
There are many different types of screen protectors for the iPhone, so it really depends on what you are looking for in a screen protector. Some people prefer a glass screen protector because it offers the best protection for the iPhone’s screen. Others may prefer a clear plastic screen protector because it is less likely to break and is less expensive.
A screen protector is a thin layer of glass that covers the screen of your iPhone and protects it from scratching and cracking. Some screen protectors do not cover the entire screen because they leave a gap in the notch. More features in the screen protector likely result in a higher price. This year, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 have the same screen size as the previous year. The dimensions of the iPhone 14 Pro are slightly off from that of the iPhone 14, but their display size is similar. To ensure that your iPhone screen protector fits properly, we recommend purchasing one that is specifically designed for the model.
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Truedepth Camera And Face Id
For biometric authentication purposes, the iPhone 13 models use Face ID, the facial recognition system that was first introduced in 2017. Face ID components are housed in the TrueDepth camera system in the display notch, which is smaller this year.
Face ID is used across iOS tasks for unlocking the iPhone, allowing access to third-party passcode-protected apps, confirming app purchases, and authenticating Apple Pay payments.
Face ID works through a set of sensors and cameras. A Dot Projector projects more than 30,000 invisible infrared dots onto the surface of the skin to create a 3D facial scan that maps the curves and planes of each face, with the scan read by an infrared camera.
The facial depth map is relayed to the A15 chip where it is transformed into a mathematical model that the iPhone uses to authenticate identity. Face ID works in low light and in the dark, and with hats, beards, glasses, sunglasses, scarves, and other accessories that partially obscure the face.
iPhone 13 Review: Software
- Focus cuts down on distractions
iOS 15 delivers some welcome improvements to your iPhone, many of which focus on shared experiences. FaceTime has improved audio and a cleaner interface, and the iOS 15.1 update lets you listen to music or watch movies or TV shows with friends or family via . And the Messages app delivers a new Shared with You section for photos, articles and more to make it easier to keep track of all the different links friends text your way.
I personally appreciate the new Focus feature in iOS 15, which lets you filter notifications based on what youre doing. And notifications themselves have been refined, complete with a new summary view so you dont get overwhelmed by constant alerts.
Other iOS 15 highlights include a redesigned Safari , a more full-featured Weather app and an enhanced Maps app with more detail and better road views. Last but not least, Live Text bites off Google Lens by recognizing text in real time via the camera when you want to look things up or get translations.
Since we posted our review, Apple has come out with iOS 15.2, which adds even more features to your iPhone including an App Privacy Report. As always, developers continue to produce great apps that take advantage of iOS, so we’d suggest loading up on some of the best iPhone apps or, if you’re new to the platform, grabbing the best apps for a new iPhone.
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The Biggest Screen The Longest
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the largest screen of any iPhone, its battery lasts longer, and its cameras are higher quality than those of the iPhone 13 and 13 mini. It may be a little faster for some graphics-heavy tasks, but otherwise it matches the rest of the iPhone 13 family in features and speed.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,100.
Budget pick
Colors Storage And Pricing
The iPhone 13 is available in five different colors: midnight, starlight, blue, red, and pink. The iPhone 13 Pro is available in four different colors: silver, graphite, gold, and sierra blue.
In terms of pricing, the iPhone 13 retails for:
- $799 for 128GB of storage
- $899 for 256GB of storage
- $999 for 512GB of storage
Pricing for the iPhone 13 Pro is as follows:
- $999 for 128GB of storage
- $1099 for 256GB of storage
- $1299 for 512GB of storage
- $1499 for 1TB of storage
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iPhone 13 Vs iPhone 1: Which Should You Buy
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 are similar in size and shape, but which one is the better purchase?
For
- Battery life is much improved over iPhone 12
- Wide color selection
- Cinematic mode is limited to 1080p at 30fps
- Still no telephoto lens
For
- Consistently good photo and video quality
- Improved industrial design
- Worse battery life than iPhone 11 Pro
- No Sensor-shift OIS
These two iPhones, though no longer the newest on the market, are still exceptional devices. They are quite similar, boasting lots of power and offering most of the same functions. However, they do have some stark differences that may sway your choice when choosing one or the other.
While the iPhone 13 is definitely one of the best iPhones you can buy, the iPhone 12 is still a good phone for a lot of people. After all, not everyone absolutely needs every shiny new toy. However, the iPhone 13 definitely has a lot of solid upgrades that make it a better choice if you don’t mind spending a little extra dough.
You Dont Need Apples Latest And Greatest
When you look at the spec sheet and compare the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 14, theyre practically the same exact device. Granted, the sizes dont exactly match up, with Apple getting rid of the iPhone Mini model, replacing it with the iPhone 14 Plus.
Outside of that, however, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 use practically the same A15 Bionic processor. The lone difference between the chip that powers either model is the iPhone 14s processor has one more GPU core than the iPhone 13. That results in boosted graphics performance , but in everyday use the difference is negligible.
Both models use the same display tech and have two-rear facing cameras, 5G connectivity, Face ID and the same storage capacities.
Apple estimates battery life on the iPhone 14 to be 20 hours, while the iPhone 13 is 19 hours of constant video streaming. Thats not all that big of a difference, and weve found both phones to be similarly long-lasting in our own testing.
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What Colours Are Available
The colour options have been slightly refreshed this year, with the iPhone 14 coming in midnight , blue, purple, starlight and red. We tested a blue model and it looks fantastic easily standing out from the black or grey phone shades youll often see people holding. For comparison, the iPhone 13 is available in six hues: green, dark blue, pink, midnight , starlight and red.
Display: Only iPhone 13 Pro And Pro Max Have 120hz Refresh Rate
The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max models both feature a 120Hz display. The number of hertz a phone screen is rated for refers to the number of frames per second it can display, which determines how fast and smooth the screen feels when you’re scrolling through apps and web pages. The standard and Mini models, however, don’t feature the 120Hz display.
Apple seems late to the game, since other high-end smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S22 and OnePlus 9 Pro, already have a 120Hz refresh rate.
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Battery: The iPhone 13 Has Better Battery Life Than Before
Apple says the new iPhones sport longer battery life than the iPhone 12 lineup. The extended battery life results from a combination of a bigger battery, iOS 15 and the A15 Bionic chip, according to Apple.
It says the iPhone 13 and iPhone Mini hold a charge for 17 and 19 hours of video playback, respectively. The iPhone 13 Pro is said to live for 22 hours, and the iPhone Pro Max for 28 hours.
Apple doesn’t disclose exact battery specs for its iPhones, but a teardown by iFixit reveals significantly more capacious cells than in 2020’s models. Notably, the iPhone 13 Pro has a smaller battery than the iPhone 13, apparently because the Pro’s screen uses less energy.
If you’re itching for more about the iPhone 13, take a look at which color you should buy and which settings to change right away. You can also check out everything we know so far about the iPhone 14.
iPhone 13 Vs iPhone 13 Pro: Camera
The main difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro is their rear camera setups. The iPhone 13 has a dual 12MP camera system with Ultra Wide and Wide lenses, whereas the iPhone 13 Pro has a triple camera setup that adds a Telephoto lens into the mix. The iPhone 13 Pro is also able to optically zoom in ten times further than the standard iPhone 13.
The iPhone 13 Pro is also able to take photos in Apple ProRaw, allowing you to take higher quality photos and record video in 4K at 30 fps.
In addition to this, the iPhone 13 Pro has a LiDAR Scanner in the rear camera array to accurately map the environment and depth, allowing you to take Night mode portrait photos and use the camera for augmented reality.
If the camera is important to you, then you’re probably better off opting for the iPhone 13 Pro or the iPhone 13 Pro Max models, rather than just the iPhone 13.
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iPhone 13 Review: Price And Storage
Available right now, the iPhone 13 starts at $799 for 128GB of storage , and that goes up to $899 for 256GB and $1,099 for 512GB. Take a look at our Apple Store coupons page for the latest discounts.
In the U.K. the entry-level model starts at £779, with the 256GB handset coming ins at £879, and the 512GB model hitting £1,079.
These are hardly cheap phones but you can save with trade-in offers from Apple as well as from wireless carriers, and there are plenty of discounts available. Do make sure to check out our iPhone 13 deals page for the latest offers.
To put the price of the iPhone 13 in context, the Galaxy S22 the iPhone’s chief rival in the smartphone world sells for the same $799. Our Galaxy S22 vs. iPhone 13 comparison looks at how these identically priced models measure up. However, small business owners can now get one from T-Mobile as part of their new Business Unlimited Ultimate Plus for iPhone.
Does The iPhone 14 Cost The Same As The iPhone 13
Despite not seeing too many major changes to the design or specs this year, Apple has upped the asking price of the iPhone 14 in the UK, adding £100 to the entry-level 128GB model. That iPhone 14 starts at £849, with a 256GB option at £959 and a 512GB at £1,179. For comparison, the iPhone 13 released in the UK started from £779, with a 256GB version at £879 and a 512GB model at £1,079.
New for this year, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus starts at £949, the iPhone 14 Pro starts at £1,099, and the iPhone Pro Max which is the most powerful of the new bunch starts at £1,199. Theres no longer a mini option, but you can buy a more affordable iPhone SE, with an older design, for under £500.
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Price: iPhone 13 Line Matches Its Predecessor’s Cost
The iPhone 13 lineup mostly mimics the pricing for the iPhone 12. Although Apple has done away with the 64GB storage option for its standard and Mini options, the pricing of the iPhone 13 have stayed the same. The iPhone 13 Mini starts at $699 for 128GB of storage. The standard iPhone 13 starts at $799, the Pro starts at $999 and Pro Max at $1,099.
The prices for the Pro versions are similar to other high-end smartphone models like the Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22 Ultra, which cost $1,000 and $1,200, respectively.
iPhone 13 Review: Design And Colors
- Smaller notch makes display a bit more immersive
- Slightly different button placement
- Pink and blue are standout colors
- New Green color launched March 2022
Theres really two design changes of note for the iPhone 13. First, the cameras on the rear are now arranged diagonally instead of vertically.
Second and more importantly the notch is now 20% smaller while still delivering the same great TrueDepth camera system and Face ID youd expect since the iPhone X ushered in this feature four years ago.
Honestly, the smaller notch doesnt make much of a difference in day-to-day use of the iPhone 13. When watching videos in landscape mode side by side at full-screen, I didnt find either notch that distracting.
I did appreciate the mini notch more when using apps with a white background in portrait orientation, such as Gmail. However, the notch on the iPhone 13 swoops down a bit more despite being narrower.
The button placement is slightly different on the iPhone 13 versus the iPhone 12. The power button is lower on the right side, and the same thing goes with the ringer switch and volume buttons on the left side.
For now, it appears the iPhone 13 is having a problem unlocking with the Apple Watch in some cases. Apple has acknowledged the issue and says a fix is coming soon.
One thing to note, thanks to Apple’s new iPhone Self Service Repair kits, you can now carry out your own repairs, but proceed with caution here as you’ll need some technical skills.
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iPhone 13 Review: Cameras
- Bright and colorful images beat Samsung
- Ultra-wide camera delivers more scene and improved Night mode
Theres much more to the iPhone 13 cameras than just a new diagonal arrangement of the lenses. The wide camera now gathers 47% more light than the iPhone 12, thanks to a larger camera with 1.7m pixels.
Another plus is that the ultrawide camera can now capture four times more scene and its newer sensor delivers better low-light performance along with less noise.
If youre not a fan of the iPhones usual color temperature or you just wanted more control over your photos youll appreciate the Photographic Styles feature. In the Camera app, you can switch from multiple styles, including standard, vibrant, rich contrast, warm and cool.
I tried out the feature with a series of portraits, and I appreciated the difference between styles. For example, the rich contrast mode made the shot look less hazy, while the vibrant setting made the coleus plants pop more along with the tree in the background. Its not that easy to switch this effect on the fly, as you have to tap a setting and then select the style you want, but I like that you can customize your own styles.
In this photo taken at the Manasquan reservoir in New Jersey, you can see how superior the iPhone 13s camera is compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. The water looks more vibrant and translucent, and the iPhone 13 does a better job rendering the shadows around the wood.