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Apple iPhone 13 buyer's guide: Everything you need to know

Check out the specs, release date, pricing, and other details of Apple's iPhone 13 series.
By

Published onJuly 7, 2023

iPhone 13 Pro on MacBook Air close up
Gary Sims / Android Authority

Every year like clockwork, we see a new iteration of the Apple iPhone. In 2021, it was the Apple iPhone 13 series, and it saw the company making subtle refinements to the iPhone 12 series.

With that in mind, there are only minor differences between the 2021 iPhones and the 2020 models. However, there are still four iPhones on the docket, which can be confusing for the average buyer. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll break down all the info you need on what to expect with an Apple iPhone 13!

Please note, however, that these iPhones have now been superseded by the iPhone 14 series, which launched in September 2022. If you’re looking for the most recent iPhones, those are what you need. Likewise, the iPhone 15 series is just around the corner, so it might be worth waiting. Also, as a result of the release of the iPhone 14, some iPhone 13 models have been discontinued. We have noted these changes in the guide.


Apple iPhone 13 series at a glance

Apple launched the iPhone 13 series on September 14, 2021. Pre-orders started on September 17, with general sales starting on September 24, 2021.

Aside from some subtle differences, you won’t notice too many changes with 2021’s iPhones. As with 2020, there were four models, and each model is about the same size as 2020’s equivalent. The number of cameras on the back of each device remains unchanged, although they have been revamped a bit on the lower-end models. The front of the devices is what changed the most, with the infamous notch getting slimmed down for the first time ever.

Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Powerful processor • Compact form factor • Solid cameras and video
MSRP: $629.99
The small boi gets a second edition
The smallest of the iPhone 13 models delivers all the basic power of the vanilla iPhone 13 but in a very compact form factor.

On the lowest end, we have the iPhone 13 Mini. It has a palm-friendly 5.4-inch display and almost all the same specs as the vanilla iPhone 13. It launched at $699 but dropped down to $599 when the iPhone 14 series landed. This makes it the cheapest mainline 2021 iPhone you can get.

Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13
AA Recommended
Apple iPhone 13
Top-notch build quality • Unparalleled performance • Solid camera and video experience
MSRP: $799.99
For those who want to make the safe choice
Everything the iPhone 13 does, it does well. It offers less than the Pro models but is just as powerful and is also cheaper. Despite offering less, it still sports solid cameras, has great battery life, and much more.

The vanilla iPhone 13 is the “standard” model. It has the same size display as the iPhone 12 at 6.1 inches. It also has the same rear camera setup, with a primary shooter and an ultrawide lens. The entry model started at $799 but has been cut to $699 to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 14.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Excellent performance • Robust and consistent camera setup • Unmatched software support
MSRP: $1,250.00
Striving for perfection
You really can't go wrong with the iPhone 13 Pro. It has more power than most people need, the camera system is among the best ones out there, and the software support is unmatched. It's not the latest iPhone anymore, but it's still worth buying.

Stepping up above the standard variant, we have the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. It’s the same size as the regular iPhone 13 but features a triple-lens camera on the back, among other upgrades. The third lens is a telephoto, which helps with zooming in on far-away subjects. It’ll set you back at least $999. However, this model has been discontinued and replaced by the iPhone 14 Pro, so you won’t be able to get it directly from Apple anymore.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
AA Recommended
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Exceptional battery life • Top-tier performance • Robust and consistent camera setup
MSRP: $1,450.00
Minimal effort, maximum reward
Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max has just enough new twists to keep it near the top of the smartphone pack. It has everything a power user needs including fantastic performance, long battery life, great cameras, and much more.

Finally, the highest-end 2021 smartphone from Apple is the iPhone 13 Pro Max. It’s the biggest of the new phones with a 6.7-inch display. It has all the specs of the regular iPhone 13 Pro but comes with a bigger battery. Being that it was the best of the best from Apple in 2021, it was also the most expensive, with a starting price of $1,099. However, like the iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has been discontinued to make room for the superior iPhone 14 Pro Max.


Is the Apple iPhone 13 worth buying?

Apple iPhone 13 rear rotated right on wood
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

In 2020, Apple revamped a lot of the design aspects of its iPhones. It brought back the “boxy” design of the iPhone 4, changed the rear camera module design, and made other refinements. It also introduced the iPhone 12 Mini.

In 2021, Apple left things mostly the same. Sure, the fronts of the phones have a slightly smaller notch, the internals are better, and there are plenty of new features. Overall, though, there aren’t too many differences here when compared to the iPhone 12 series.

In 2022, the newer Apple iPhone 14 lineup launched and is superior to the iPhone 13 series. In fact, the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max have been fully discontinued and replaced by the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. As such, if you want a new iPhone, you should only go for an iPhone 13 model if you are looking to save money, as the iPhone 14 series is better.

Of course, there are plenty of Android phones out there that will match or even exceed most elements of the latest iPhones, regardless of the year. Scroll down to our alternatives section for more on that.


Apple iPhone 13 specs

iPhone 13 specs
Apple

Aside from physical dimensions, the Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are basically the same phones. Likewise, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are very similar outside of how much bigger the Max is. Below you’ll find specs tables comparing each pair of devices.

iPhone 13 MiniiPhone 13
Display
iPhone 13 Mini
5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,340 x 1,080 resolution
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1,200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
iPhone 13
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,532 x 1,170 resolution
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1,200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
Processor
iPhone 13 Mini
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
iPhone 13 Mini
128 / 256 / 512GB
iPhone 13
128 / 256 / 512GB
Battery
iPhone 13 Mini
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
iPhone 13
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
Cameras
iPhone 13 Mini
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.6, OIS, 7-element lens
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/2.4, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction

2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 3x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
iPhone 13
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.6, OIS, 7-element lens
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/2.4, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction

2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 3x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
Connectivity
iPhone 13 Mini
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
iPhone 13
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
Sensors
iPhone 13 Mini
Face ID
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
iPhone 13
Face ID
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Software
iPhone 13 Mini
iOS 15
iPhone 13
iOS 15
Durability
iPhone 13 Mini
IP68
iPhone 13
IP68
Dimensions and weight
iPhone 13 Mini
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65mm
141g
iPhone 13
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
174g
Colors
iPhone 13 Mini
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
iPhone 13
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
In the box
iPhone 13 Mini
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13 ProiPhone 13 Pro Max
Display
iPhone 13 Pro
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,532 x 1,170 resolution
ProMotion 120Hz
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
iPhone 13 Pro Max
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,778 x 1,284 resolution
ProMotion 120Hz
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
Processor
iPhone 13 Pro
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
iPhone 13 Pro
128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB
iPhone 13 Pro Max
128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB
Battery
iPhone 13 Pro
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
Cameras
iPhone 13 Pro
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5, dual OIS, 7-element lens, 100% Focus Pixels, Night Mode
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction, Night Mode
-Telephoto 12MP, ƒ/2.8, dual OIS, 6-element lens

3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, Apple ProRAW

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 9x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5, dual OIS, 7-element lens, 100% Focus Pixels, Night Mode
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction, Night Mode
-Telephoto 12MP, ƒ/2.8, dual OIS, 6-element lens

3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, Apple ProRAW

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 9x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
Connectivity
iPhone 13 Pro
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
iPhone 13 Pro Max
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
Sensors
iPhone 13 Pro
Face ID
LiDAR Scanner
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Face ID
LiDAR Scanner
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Software
iPhone 13 Pro
iOS 15
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iOS 15
Durability
iPhone 13 Pro
IP68
iPhone 13 Pro Max
IP68
Dimensions and weight
iPhone 13 Pro
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
204g
iPhone 13 Pro Max
160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65mm
240g
Colors
iPhone 13 Pro
Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue
In the box
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation

Which models get 120Hz refresh rates, aka ProMotion?

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max apps and widgets
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Flagship Android phones started getting high-refresh-rate displays years ago. Apple has launched products with high-refresh-rate displays already using the branding ProMotion — most notably in the iPad Pro range. However, ProMotion had never made it to an iPhone before, which means all Apple smartphones have had 60Hz displays.

That changed in 2021. For the first time, the Apple iPhone 13 series features phones with 120Hz display refresh rates, which is twice as fast as any other previous iPhone.

What is the benefit of a higher display refresh rate? High refresh rates create smoother motion. When scrolling quickly through Instagram, for example, a 60Hz display could look jittery as the display tries to keep up with the fast transitions. A 120Hz display, though, will look much smoother. This can enhance your day-to-day smartphone usage, but it will also make playing high-end games much more enjoyable. Very competitive gamers will also appreciate the slight accuracy advantage that high refresh rate displays offer.

Unfortunately, Apple’s ProMotion only comes with the Pro iPhones. In other words, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini will not have 120Hz displays, but the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will. Since the Pro models in the iPhone 13 lineup are no longer manufactured, you’ll need to look to an iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max for the ProMotion feature now.


Is the Apple iPhone 13 camera good?

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max camera module ultra close
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

In 2020, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini came with a standard lens paired with an ultrawide shooter. The Pro models, meanwhile, had those same lenses but added in a third lens with telephoto capabilities. In 2021, we saw the exact same setup on the phones within the Apple iPhone 13 family.

Now, that doesn’t mean Apple didn’t upgrade the camera hardware of the phones. The ultrawide camera on the Pro and Pro Max has been upgraded from an ƒ/2.4 aperture to ƒ/1.8, giving it better shooting in low light, for example. However, there are no new lenses or other new hardware parts on any of the iPhones. Still, that didn’t stop them from being some of the best camera phones of that year.

Apple also brought new software tricks to the iPhone 13 series. There’s support for Cinematic Mode, which brings bokeh to video, and Night Mode on all the lenses, not just the main. ProRes video is also supported on the Pro models as of the October 2021 launch of iOS 15.1.

iPhone 13 Pro Max example shots

As we expected, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has an exemplary camera system. This isn’t surprising, considering we loved the camera on 2020’s Pro Max model, and things remained largely unchanged in 2021.

iPhone 13 example shots

Although the iPhone 13 won’t be as versatile as the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, it can still hold its own. You won’t get a telephoto lens here, so zooming in won’t produce stellar results, but we found this camera system to be great for the average person.


How is the iPhone 13 battery life?

Apple iPhone 13 display centered park
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

One of the best bits of news related to the latest iPhones is that Apple increased the battery capacities for the whole line. When combined with the new A15 chipset (see next section), the battery life on these phones is better than what we saw from the iPhone 12 series. However, they still won’t be as good as some Android phones, so be sure to look at our list of the best Android phones with the best battery life.

As one would expect, the largest phone — the iPhone 13 Pro Max — has the biggest battery. In our testing, we found we could get two days’ worth of juice out of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is terrific. Of course, the phone itself is massive and heavy, so you definitely have a bit of a trade-off there.

We haven’t tested the iPhone 13 Pro, but we have tested the iPhone 13. With the iPhone 13, we saw a little over six hours of screen-on-time, which isn’t bad at all. Considering the higher energy needs of the ProMotion display on the iPhone 13 Pro, we’d expect that phone to not perform as well as the vanilla iPhone 13.

The iPhone 13 Mini has the smallest battery in the lineup. We haven’t tested it, but we assume the battery life on this phone would be the weakest of the bunch.

Remember that there are no chargers in the boxes with iPhone 13 devices. You’ll need to buy a charger separately or use one you already own. The 2021 iPhones charge at the same 20W speeds as the iPhone 12. All the new iPhones also support wireless charging.


How is the Apple iPhone 13 performance?

A15 Bionic
Apple

The iPhone 13 series is powered by the 2021 iteration of Apple’s silicon known as the A15 Bionic. It is a 5nm+ build. At the time of release, per our benchmarks, the A15 was the fastest and most powerful mobile chipset on the market — yes, even faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, the newer A16 Bionic supersedes the A15, so that now takes the crown.

The Apple A15 Bionic was 2021's most powerful mobile chipset.

Regardless, performance will not be a concern with the iPhone 13 models. They should be able to handle pretty much any task you throw at them. The Pro models, though, have more RAM than the non-Pro models, so they will be slightly better at heavy tasks, especially if you have a lot of apps open in the background.

The A15 Bionic should be a bit more power-efficient than 2020’s A14 Bionic. That means you would see better battery life from the iPhone 13 models, even when you factor out the larger batteries themselves.

For more info on how the A15 compares to Android processors, check out our Speed Test G YouTube channel and this video in particular.


Phone software and updates

Apple IOS 15
Apple

All the 2021 iPhones shipped with iOS 15 on board in 2021. This was the most recent version of the operating system at the time. In general, iPhones see around five years of software updates. That means you should expect a yearly upgrade to the latest version of iOS until 2026 on any of the iPhone 13 models.

If you already own an older iPhone, you already have iOS 15, assuming your phone launched after 2016. As such, if all you want is iOS 15, there’s no reason to upgrade to an Apple iPhone 13.

In iOS 15, you can expect updates to how you receive notifications, enhanced FaceTime calls, the ability to upload ID cards into Wallet, and much more. We have a full guide to the new features in iOS 15.


iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12: What’s new?

iPhone 12 Pro Max back in hand 1
David Imel / Android Authority

As mentioned a few times now, the Apple iPhone 13 series isn’t all that different from the iPhone 12 series. However, it does come with a few upgrades that we have detailed for you below. Keep in mind that the list doesn’t include every upgrade — just the most significant ones.

  • Smaller notch, larger cameras: The notch on the front of all iPhone 13 models is slimmer than what we’ve seen on previous iPhones. Meanwhile, the rear camera module is a bit larger on the Pro models and slightly redesigned on the non-Pro models. The number and types of lenses, though, have remained the same since the iPhone 12 series.
  • ProMotion: The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have ProMotion displays, which is Apple’s branding for high refresh rate displays. They support up to 120Hz rates. The vanilla iPhone 13 devices, though, stick with 60Hz displays.
  • Batteries: The batteries inside the iPhone 13 series are slightly larger than the ones we saw in the iPhone 12 series. This results in longer battery life.
  • Cameras: The ultrawide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max has been upgraded from an ƒ/2.4 aperture to ƒ/1.8, giving it better shooting in low light. There are other minor updates to the other lenses, too. Do note that the main and ultrawide lenses on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini remain unchanged.
  • Storage: The starting storage capacity for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini is now 128GB, up from 64GB. It also goes as high as 512GB, which iPhone 12 models did not offer. Meanwhile, the Pro models have a new 1TB option.

What are some good iPhone 13 alternatives?

samsung galaxy s23 series cameras white
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

If you are interested in the iPhone 13 lineup but want the latest and greatest features, your best bet is to check out the iPhone 14 series. However, if you like the idea of the iPhones but want to stick with or migrate to Android, there are plenty of choices that should make you happy.

  • iPhone 14 lineup ($799 to $1,099): With the launch of the Apple iPhone 14 series, the 2021 lineup is now officially old hat. The new line of iPhones shut out the Mini version and replace it with the Plus variant, which is a larger version of the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max replace the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, and all the 2022 iPhones are either equal or superior to the iPhone 13 equivalents.
  • iPhone SE (2022) ($429): If you don’t want to pay even the lower $599 entry price of the iPhone 13 Mini, the iPhone SE (2022) is your next-best bet. It’s more than $150 cheaper, but you’ll know immediately why. It’s very small, has a dated design, and the camera system is considerably weaker. However, it does have the same chipset and wireless charging, so it’s not all bad.
  • Google Pixel 7 series ($599 and $899): The latest phones from Google offer exemplary cameras, terrific battery life, and a bloat-free software experience with the second-longest update promise of any Android phone. The vanilla Pixel 7 would be comparable to the iPhone 13, while the Pixel 7 Pro would be comparable to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Either way, you’re going to get a whole lot of phone for a lot less money.
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup ($799 to $1,199): In the world of Android, Samsung’s Galaxy S line is the closest analogy to Apple’s iPhones. The Galaxy S23 will be akin to a vanilla iPhone 13 in some ways while superseding it with a few features, such as having a telephoto lens. The Galaxy S23 Ultra will be comparable to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with more cameras, a bigger battery, an included stylus, and more.
  • ASUS Zenfone 10 (€799): The iPhone 13 Mini is the smallest of the 2021 iPhones, and Android manufacturers don’t really make phones that small anymore. That is, except for ASUS, which launched the ASUS Zenfone 10 in 2023. It’s not as small as the iPhone 13 Mini, but it is your best bet for a compact Android-based device.

Where to buy the Apple iPhone 13 series

Apple iPhone 13 rear panel in hand
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
  • iPhone 13 Mini (128GB): $599 (was $699)
  • Apple iPhone 13 (128GB): $699 (was $799)
  • Apple iPhone 13 Pro (128GB): $999 Discontinued
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max (128GB): $1,099 Discontinued

Apple launched the iPhone 13 series on September 14, 2021. Pre-orders started on September 17, with general sales starting on September 24, 2021.

The starting prices for the iPhone 13 series were the same as the starting prices of the iPhone 12 series. However, do note that the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini dropped in price by $100 each when the iPhone 14 series launched. Additionally, the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are no longer in production, having been replaced by the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Powerful processor • Compact form factor • Solid cameras and video
MSRP: $629.99
The small boi gets a second edition
The smallest of the iPhone 13 models delivers all the basic power of the vanilla iPhone 13 but in a very compact form factor.
Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13
AA Recommended
Apple iPhone 13
Top-notch build quality • Unparalleled performance • Solid camera and video experience
MSRP: $799.99
For those who want to make the safe choice
Everything the iPhone 13 does, it does well. It offers less than the Pro models but is just as powerful and is also cheaper. Despite offering less, it still sports solid cameras, has great battery life, and much more.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Excellent performance • Robust and consistent camera setup • Unmatched software support
MSRP: $1,250.00
Striving for perfection
You really can't go wrong with the iPhone 13 Pro. It has more power than most people need, the camera system is among the best ones out there, and the software support is unmatched. It's not the latest iPhone anymore, but it's still worth buying.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
AA Recommended
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Exceptional battery life • Top-tier performance • Robust and consistent camera setup
MSRP: $1,450.00
Minimal effort, maximum reward
Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max has just enough new twists to keep it near the top of the smartphone pack. It has everything a power user needs including fantastic performance, long battery life, great cameras, and much more.

FAQs

No. This was rumored for a few months, but it didn’t come to be. The lone biometric security system of these phones is Face ID.

Yes, all four models are IP68-rated against water and dust.

No. Although the phones are about the same size as last year, the rear camera modules have been slightly redesigned and they are thinner in some metrics. Therefore, cases from the previous year’s models won’t fit correctly.

No. Just as with the iPhone 12 series, there are no chargers included with any of the 2021 iPhones.

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