Should You Upgrade to the iPhone 13? The Top 10+ Differences Between the iPhone 13 and Earlier Models

Co-authored by Chiara Corsaro and Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: March 18, 2022 References

As of September 14th, 2021, Apple announced the release of the iPhone 13. The newest iPhone comes in a variety of models, including the iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 mini, the iPhone 13 Pro, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Each boasts a bunch of new features, even compared to the iPhone 12. If you're thinking of upgrading your older iPhone, you might be wondering if now is the time to go for the iPhone 13. Read on to learn about all of the features, find out what's different about the iPhone 13, and decide if its time to upgrade.

1

Models

The iPhone 13 comes in the same series of models as the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 mini is the smallest of the bunch at 5.18 inches (13.2 cm) tall and 2.53 inches (6.4 cm) wide. The iPhone 13 is the next size up at 5.78 inches (14.7 cm) tall and 2.82 inches (7.2 cm) wide.^{[1]
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Research source} The iPhone 13 Pro is the same size as the iPhone 13, but offers an additional Telephoto lens camera. The iPhone 13 Pro Max also includes the new Telephoto lens and is the largest model at 6.33 inches (16.1 cm) tall and 3.07 inches (7.8 cm) wide.^{[2]
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2

Camera

All of the iPhone 13 models feature a major camera upgrade. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini now have a larger wide camera sensor that improves your ability to take photos in low light.^{[3]
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Research source} The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max both offer Night Mode for taking photos after dark or in low light. These models also include a new UltraWide camera and a Telephoto lens. If you're a photographer or use your phone camera for work, an upgrade may really be worth it.^{[4]
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- The larger wide camera sensor in iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini models contains 1.7-micron pixels that can capture 47% more light than previous models (aside from the iPhone 12 Pro Max).
- The new Telephoto lens found in iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models can zoom in and focus on something that's only 2 centimetres (0.79 in) away.
- The new UltraWide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts an enhanced ability to capture photos in low light.
- The front camera also contains the same capabilities as the back camera one each model, making for some truly stellar selfies.^{[5]
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3

Video Camera

All of the iPhone 13 models include exciting video camera updates. The video camera now includes something called Cinematic Mode. This new feature allows you to focus the camera on multiple subjects as you shoot. You can even change the focus after you're done shooting. Opt for an upgrade if you're a filmmaker, shoot videos for work, or enjoy posting high-quality video content on social media.^{[6]
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- Cinematic Mode is shot in Dolby HDR.
- Just like the camera, the front video camera of all the iPhone 13 models features the same new abilities as the back camera.

4

Processor

All iPhone 13 models feature the new A15 Bionic processor. Apple claims this is the fastest smartphone processor on the market. This chip is able to offer 30% faster graphics than other smartphones, as well as 50% faster CPU capabilities. Go for the upgrade if you're an avid gamer or rely on your phone for work, as these high-speed capabilities could be of great use to you.^{[7]
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- The A15 Bionic processor is also what's responsible for keeping your data secure, preserving your battery life, and powering all the new camera and video features.

5

Face ID

Each iPhone 13 model comes with enhanced facial authentication technology. This comes in the form of Face ID, software that Apple claims to be the most secure facial authentication software in any smartphone. If you're a customer that's especially concerned about keeping your phone secure, you might consider updating.^{[8]
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6

Security Update

All iPhone 13 models come with iOS 15. This software upgrade features some majorly important security updates, including the App Privacy Report. This lets you see how apps are accessing your data, as well as what third-party domains they are sharing your data with. If you don't want your data to be shared, the feature also lets you limit how much is shared with these apps. Be aware that all devices starting with the iPhone SE (2nd generation) are able to download the update starting September 20th, 2021.^{[9]
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- Access a full list of devices that are compatible with iOS 15 by visiting https://www.apple.com/iphone-13-pro/specs/.

7

Battery Life

All of the iPhone 13 models include an improved battery. Apple has not released the exact size of the new battery, but its ability to hold a charge has significantly increased compared to all of the previous iPhone 12 models. If you're looking for a phone with longer battery life, you might consider upgrading.^{[10]
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- The iPhone 13 mini is able to hold a charge for up to 17 hours. This is 2 hours longer than the iPhone 12 mini.
- The iPhone 13 can hold a charge for up to 19 hours, which is 2 hours longer than the iPhone 12.
- The iPhone 13 Pro stays charged for up to 22 hours. This is 5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro.
- The iPhone 13 Pro Max holds a charge for a whopping 28 hours. This is 8 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

8

Model Design

All iPhone 13 models feature the same model design as the iPhone 12. These phones are designed with square edges (as opposed to the rounded edges of earlier iPhone models).^{[11]
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Research source} They also all feature lightning ports, like previous models.^{[12]
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Research source} Since the design remains unchanged, it might not be a big incentive for an upgrade.
- Some experts had predicted that the iPhone 13 would be portless, but that's not the case. If you're thinking of purchasing an iPhone 13, know that it will still be compatible with your lightning port charger.

9

Color Options

The iPhone 13 and all of its iterations feature new color options. For the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, you have the option of blue, pink, midnight (black), starlight (gold), and red.^{[13]
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Research source} The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are available in silver, gold, graphite, and sierra blue (a new option).^{[14]
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Research source} If you're a fan of these new colors, upgrading your phone to the newest model may be worth it.

10

Durability

The iPhone 13 series offers some major durability upgrades. Each model comes with a ceramic shield cover over the screen, which makes it the toughest of any smartphone glass. The phones are also water-resistant, with an IP68 rating for water resistance. If you drop your phone a lot, work outside, or just want to make sure your phone is protected, these new features are a solid reason to upgrade. ^{[15]
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11

Display

All iPhone 13 models include brighter screen capabilities. The iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 mini both have a screen that can get up to 28% brighter (800 nits) than previous models.^{[16]
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Research source} The iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max can get even brighter at 1,000 nits. Compare that to the iPhone 12 Pro, which could only go up to 800 nits. If you've got the iPhone 12 Pro, it might not be worth upgrading unless you go for the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max. If you've got any other previous model, these screen capabilities may be a great reason to upgrade.^{[17]
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- The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini can only go up to 625 nits.
- Each model can hold this brightness for longer periods of time than previous models. This is due to the phone's improved energy conservation technology.

12

Storage

iPhone 13 models offer a significantly larger amount of storage. The iPhone 13 models start with 128GB of storage, which is twice the amount found in iPhone 12 models.^{[18]
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Research source} The iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max offer even more, including the never-before-offered 1TB of storage (the largest amount of storage an iPhone has ever had). If you're running out of space on your phone or take a ton of photos and videos, upgrading to any iPhone 13 model may just be the right call.^{[19]
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13

Price

The prices of each model haven't changed from the iPhone 12 series. Though the exact price depends on whether you get the phone through a carrier and what amount of storage space you desire, the starting prices remain the same. If you do go for a higher storage option, be aware that the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini models with a larger amount of storage are $50 more than their iPhone 12 counterparts. The starting prices for each model are as follows:^{[20]
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- $699 for the iPhone 13 mini
- $799 for the iPhone 13
- $999 for the iPhone 13 Pro
- $1099 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you just switch SIM cards in iPhones?

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.

Mobile Kangaroo

Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

Expert Answer

Definitely! All iPhones have a slide-out tray on the side. To release it, insert a SIM card removal tool and press straight in until the tray pops out. If you don't have a tool, it's safe to improvise with a paperclip, earring, or anything else that fits in the hole, as long as you remember to push straight in and not pry.