It’s that time of the year when Apple launches its latest iPhone devices, and this year we’re getting 4 of them — the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 series is also accompanied by the Apple Watch 7. Just like what we’ve come to expect from Apple over the years, the iPhone 13 series brings some minor improvements over the iPhone 12 series. A smaller notch, bigger camera sensors, smoother display, and some under-the-hood improvements. While the Pro variants are the ones that have received notable upgrades, The standard iPhone 13 is the one that most people are going to be interested in, so let’s know more about it.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the iPhone 13. From specifications and new features to case suggestions and FAQs, you’ll find everything here. If you’re looking for something specific, feel free to navigate to the relevant section using the index below.
Navigate this page:
- Price and Availability
- Colors
- Specifications
- Design
- Display
- SoC, RAM, and Storage
- Camera and Camera Features
- Battery and Charging
- 5G and Connectivity
- Software
- Security and Extras
- Official Cases and Accessories
- Our Recommendations and Suggested Readings
iPhone 13: Price and Availability
The iPhone 13 has been launched in various regions across the world with the availability depending on where you’re located. In the US and several other countries, the iPhone 13 will be available for pre-order from 17th September and will be available to buy on 24th September. The pricing goes as follows.
| Sl. No. | Device | USA | UK | EU | UAE/Dubai | India |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone 13 — 128GB | $799 | £779 | €899 | AED 3,399 | ₹79,900 |
| 2 | iPhone 13 — 256GB | $899 | £879 | €1,019 | AED 3,819 | ₹89,900 |
| 3 | iPhone 13 — 512GB | $1,099 | £1,079 | €1,249 | AED 4,669 | ₹1,09,900 |
- The iPhone 13 brings some notable improvements like a smaller notch, the A15 chip, and better cameras.
iPhone 13: Colors
The standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are available in 5 different color options – Black, Blue, White, Green, and Red. Just like its predecessors, the iPhone 13 has a glossy back with a matte-finish cutout for the camera housing. The aluminum frame is matte though unlike the glossy stainless steel frame on the Pro and Pro Max variants. The standard iPhone 13 is available in colors that are more poppy and fun when compared to the Pro models. You can pick the color that you find the most appealing.
- The midnight color on the iPhone 13 is just plain black disguised in a fancy name.
- This is similar to last yar's blue, but it's a slightly lighter shade this time.
- The starlight color replaces the shite iPhone 12 and looks quite nice and sober.
- The red iPhone 13 looks more reddish than the iPhone 12 with a slightly darker shade.
iPhone 13: Specifications
| Specification | iPhone 13 |
|---|---|
| Build |
|
| Dimensions & Weight |
|
| Display |
|
| SoC | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM & Storage |
|
| Battery & Charging |
|
| Security | Face ID |
| Rear Cameras |
|
| Front Camera | 12MP f/2.2 |
| Ports | Lightning port |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers |
| Connectivity |
|
| Software | iOS 15 |
| Other Features |
|
Apple iPhone 13: Design
Apple gave the iPhone 12 series a design overhaul with squared-off edges similar to the iPhone 5. The iPhone 13 retains the same design language without any major changes. The iPhone 13 has an aluminum frame with a matte exterior. The frame is color-matched to the back of the phone depending on what color you choose. The bottom of the phone houses the lightning port which unfortunately still hasn’t been replaced by USB-C. The primary speaker grille and microphone flank the charging port.
On the right, we have what Apple refers to as the ‘side button’ which activates Siri upon a long-press and can also be used to power the device on and off. The left side of the frame houses the SIM tray along with the volume rockers and a mute switch.
As mentioned earlier, the back of the iPhone 13 has a glossy look with the camera module surrounded by matte glass. The iPhone 13 is slightly thicker than its predecessor thanks to a slightly larger battery. The camera module on the iPhone 13 has also increased slightly in size. The layout has also changed a bit and the dual camera are now arranged diagonally instead of the vertical placement we saw last year.
The squared edges had mixed reactions last year with regards to ergonomics. While some people like the design and said it made the phone easier to grip, some consumers weren’t too happy with the new design since it didn’t fit too well in the hand. The iPhone 11 and previous iPhone devices had curved edges that would feel natural to hold in the hand. The iPhone 13 retains flat edges and is slightly heavier and thicker than the iPhone 12. So it would be interesting to see how it feels in the hand.
Apple iPhone 13: Display
This is the department where the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max get sizeable gains but unfortunately, the standard iPhone 13 has been left out. After years of Android phones having high refresh rate displays, Apple has finally joined the club with the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPad Pro has had a Pro-motion display for a while now and it has finally made its way to the iPhone 13 series, albeit only on the Pro models.
The 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 13 is still a standard 60Hz panel unfortunately which is quite disappointing. It’s a typical move by Apple to limit the 120Hz display to the Pro variants only. The display is an OLED panel that looks vibrant and comes with Apple’s True-tone technology. You can view HDR content on the display with the peak brightness going all the way up to 1,200 nits.
Thankfully, there is some change in terms of the display on the iPhone 13 and that’s the shrinking of the notch. Apple introduced a full-screen display with a notch in 2017 with the iPhone X. Since then, the notch has remained on all the new iPhone devices while the competition has moved to punch-hole cutouts and even under-display cameras. While that’s rumored to come to the iPhone 14 next year, Apple has shrunk the notch slightly on the iPhone 13 series.
The earpiece now sits at the top of the display which has allowed Apple to reduce the size of the notch compared to previous-gen iPhone devices. It’s still there and quite prominent though, which is a letdown given how far other OEMs have progressed in terms of display technology. The OLED displays on previous iPhone devices were one of the most color-accurate and pleasing to look at panels out there. While it remains to be true this time as well, we wish Apple gave the standard iPhone 13 a 120Hz display too making it one of the best displays out there on any phone. The display edges remain flat like last year’s iPhone devices.
SoC, RAM, and Storage
Every year, Apple gives the iPhone an internal refresh with its latest mobile platform and this year is no different. The iPhone 13 gets Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset based on the 5nm manufacturing process. Going by the history of Apple’s chips, the A15 Bionic is one of the most powerful smartphone chipsets that can run anything you throw at it. Be it the heaviest of games or rendering 4K videos, the iPhone 13 can do it all without breaking a sweat, thanks to the A15 chipset.
It’s not just about the raw performance of the chipset. Apple’s software is very well optimized to run with the onboard hardware since Apple makes both the elements. This allows for a seamless and streamlined experience while using the device. The A15 Bionic is based on the same 5nm architecture as last year’s A14 Bionic, but brings some notable improvements in terms of battery efficiency. The A14 Bionic was already a performance powerhouse and the A15 Bionic only builds on it and further strengthens the lead.
Apple never discloses the capacity of RAM on a new iPhone explicitly and hasn’t done so this time too. However, just like the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 also has 4GB of RAM. As for storage, the iPhone 13 starts with 128GB as the base variant, with 256GB and 512GB options following it. Apple has FINALLY bumped up the storage on the base variant to 128GB after years of requests from users. If you shoot a lot of 4K 60fps video on your iPhone and use it as your main media machine, you’ll certainly appreciate the extra storage.
Apple iPhone 13: Camera and Camera Features
Until last year, the standard and the Max variants of the iPhone didn’t have a lot of differences other than the obviously larger display and a higher capacity battery. That however changed with the iPhone 12 Pro Max last year. The 12 Pro Max had a larger primary sensor that let in more light along with sensor-shift image stabilization, similar to IBIS that’s found on mirrorless cameras.
Along with improvements to the primary camera, the iPhone 12 Pro Max also had a better telephoto lens that let in more light, as well as a larger 2.5X magnification instead of 2X on the standard Pro. This time though, Apple has brought those same camera improvements to the iPhone 13 Pro too. The standard iPhone 13 also gets improved cameras, but not to the extent of the Pro series (obviously). The primary 12MP camera has a larger sensor now to capture up to 47% more light. The iPhone 13 also gets sensor-shift image stabilization just like the Pro models.
The ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 13 has also improved and now captures better low-light photos. There’s a 12MP front-facing selfie camera. Apple’s Smart HDR algorithms are present to optimize the photos clicked from the cameras on the iPhone 13.
The iPhone 13 can shoot cinema-grade videos which can shift focus based on the elements present in the frame. Apple is calling this Cinematic Mode. All three cameras on the iPhone 13 can shoot videos up to 4K at 60fps. The iPhone has been one of the best devices to shoot videos with and it’s only got better this year. Deep Fusion and the ability to shoot HDR videos are also present.
The iPhone 12 series already had one of the best cameras out there and with the improvements on the iPhone 13, it’s only got better. With the Pixel 6 series right around the corner, it would be interesting to see how the two phones compare in terms of cameras.
Battery and Charging
The iPhone 13 has got a slight bump in battery capacity compared to last year. That, when coupled with a chip that has improved efficiency, should ideally result in better battery life. Since the standard iPhone 13 has the same 60Hz display, it wouldn’t consume more power than last year’s panel. The iPhone 12 had excellent battery life and we expect it to only improve with the iPhone 13. Apple’s optimization ensures that the battery life is good despite having a lower-capacity cell. As per Apple’s claims, the iPhone 13 will give you up to 2.5 hours more battery life compared to the iPhone 12.
The iPhone 13 has the same 20W fast-charging tech from last year which can charge your iPhone up to 50% in 30 minutes. However, the charger isn’t included in the box and will have to be bought separately. Apple introduced MagSafe charging with the iPhone 12 series and it’s made its way to the iPhone 13 series as well. There are no new improvements in terms of charging speeds with MagSafe and it’s still capped at the same 15W output as last year. MagSafe can be used to attach other accessories too.
5G and Connectivity
Apple brought 5G capabilities to the iPhone last year with the iPhone 12 series. Of course, the iPhone 13 also has 5G connectivity and is truly a global phone when it comes to network and bands support. The iPhone 13 has support for all the relevant 5G bands from across the globe so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. You get support for both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G.
The iPhone 13 has a single physical SIM slot along with support for a secondary eSIM. In China and Hong Kong, the iPhone 13 will have physical dual-SIM slots. You get Wi-Fi 6 support on the 13 along with Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC. Apple Pay is present and so is the U1 chip for UWB connectivity. Accessories like the AirTag will be able to communicate with the iPhone 13 to allow for precision finding.
Software
The iPhone 13 runs iOS 15 out of the box which is Apple’s latest smartphone OS. iOS 15 brings some useful new features with it and improves the overall usability of the device. For starters, you can now make FaceTime calls with your buddies who use an Android device, share your screen and watch movies and shows with your friends via FaceTime, use different microphone modes to either silence or amplify sounds in the background, and improved ways to view shared content.
iOS 15 also improves the way your notifications are displayed by stacking them into groups based on the apps sending them. Apple has also introduced various focus modes to help you keep distractions at bay throughout the day. The camera app is also new with support for Live Text which can copy text from your photos, and you can even drag and drop the copied text to the Notes app or any other app across iOS 15. There have been several improvements made to Siri, Safari, Weather, and Spotlight Search too. You can also view privacy reports on iOS 15 that tell you which app had access to what information on your phone.
iOS 15 brings some nice software features but it’s still missing some features that we would love to see being added.
Security and Extras
Apple ditched TouchID on the iPhone in favor of Face ID and that’s what you get on the iPhone 13. There were rumors about an in-display fingerprint scanner coming to the iPhone 13 series but that, unfortunately, turned out to be false. The Face ID sensors reside in the notch above the display which is thankfully smaller this time around. The notch houses the IR camera and the dot projector, which work in tandem to produce a 3D model of your face, which is then scanned to unlock your phone.
Face ID can be used to unlock the phone as well as authorize purchases. Given the present situation where wearing a mask is compulsory in a lot of places across the world, bringing back Touch ID would have made a lot of sense but Apple has stuck with Face ID as the only biometric authentication on the iPhone 13. With the iPhone 14 series supposedly getting a full-screen display with a hole-punch next year, let’s hope Apple brings back Touch ID and puts the scanner below the display.
The iPhone 13 is IP68 rated for dust and water resistance so you can take it in the pool for underwater selfies. The display is covered with what Apple refers to as Ceramic Shield, which adds a layer of protection that’s supposedly stronger than Corning’s Gorilla Glass.
Official Cases and Accessories
Every year, the iPhone launch is accompanied by some official accessories for the iPhone. This time too, Apple has launched official cases and covers for the iPhone 13 with support for MagSafe charging and accessories. You can buy any of the cases or accessories along with your iPhone 13 to either protect it or improve its functionality. Some accessories like the charger are vital in case you don’t have an existing charging brick that has a USB-C port.
- Apple's MagSafe charger can wireless charge your iPhone at up to 15W.
Our Recommendations and Suggested Readings
While this page should give you an extensive idea about the iPhone 13 and all its new features, there will be certain specific topics you may be interested in, like how the phone compares to another phone in this price range, or how the iPhone 13 fares compared to its predecessor, etc.
While we work on our review of the iPhone 13, we suggest you take a look at some of the other articles around the device that would help you to make a wise decision.
We’ll add more articles to this section once we have the devices in hand, and compare them to other popular devices. If you’re looking for the best cases, screen protectors, and other third-party accessories, you’ll find them linked in the FAQ section below.
That’s pretty much everything you need to know about Apple’s new iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 brings some small improvements that make the overall experience slightly better, but there’s no ground-breaking change as such. A lot of the functionality that you get is almost similar to the iPhone 12. While we would have loved to see a hole-punch display, a smaller notch isn’t too bad considering we’re rumored to get a full-screen display next year.
The cameras have also got better this time with bigger sensors and better stabilization. The bigger battery should also help with endurance. Apart from these improvements, the rest of the package remains identical to last year’s iPhone. Another notable improvement is the base storage on the standard iPhone 13 being bumped up to 128GB instead of 64GB, and the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are now available as a 1TB option.
Lastly, Apple has stuck to the base price of $799 for the iPhone 13, which is the same as last year. The new improvements make the iPhone 13 a good phone to recommend, especially at the same asking price. However, the recent iPhone 14 leaks might end up spoiling Apple’s party since next year’s iPhone is shaping up to bring some radical changes and improvements. It’s still too early to say anything about the iPhone 14 though, especially since all the information right now is just based on speculation.
What do you think about the iPhone 13? Are you planning to pick one up or are you going for the big boys to get the 120Hz goodness? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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