Name: iPhone 13
Brand: Apple

The iPhone 13 was released in September of 2021 alongside the Mini, Pro, and Pro Max models. Though not a major leap in change from the iPhone 12, Apple has made several updates to improve the phone. These include a higher base storage amount, a smaller notch, and faster performance, among others. The iPhone 13 is now priced lower yet remains a highly capable phone.

These are the Apple iPhone 13 pros and cons you should know about.

Pro: Body Design / Smaller Notch

Not too much has been changed compared to the iPhone 13’s predecessor in terms of appearance. On the face of the phone, which measures 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches, you’ll notice the notch has been made smaller, giving slightly more screen space. Additionally, the rear cameras have been rearranged diagonally, a move that Apple says was made to accommodate the larger sensor in the main camera.

A wide range of colors is offered for the phone that ranges from blue, midnight, starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, green, and pink. Just like previous iPhones, the iPhone 13 features a glass back and aluminum sides.

Pro: Durability

An IP68 rating is given to the phone, meaning it is dust and water-resistant up to about 20 feet for 30 minutes. The front and rear glass are also both made from Ceramic Shield, a product of the Gorilla Glass producer Corning. As mentioned before, the sides of the phone are made from aluminum.

Pro: Improved Display

The iPhone 13 boasts a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532, which is about equal to FHD+. Improved from the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 now has a brightness of 800 nits, an increase from 600 nits. This difference isn’t all too significant, but it certainly helps for viewing the screen in the sun.

Pro: Impressive Performance

Apple has supplied the iPhone 13 with a new A15 Bionic processor, giving it some of the best performance in its class. Paired with its 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU, the phone is certain to exceed expectations in terms of speed. Based on UL Solutions benchmarks, the iPhone 13 scored 8,744, significantly more than the iPhone 12’s 7,612 and the Samsung Galaxy S22’s 7,433.

Pro: Sophisticated Cameras

Three cameras make up the iPhone 13’s system. On the back are two cameras, a 12-megapixel main wide camera, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. The front camera is also a 12-megapixel wide camera. While this megapixel amount is lower than many flagships, it is plenty for most users’ purposes and is fair given the phone’s price of $699.

As for improvements made from the iPhone 12, the new model has a better night mode thanks to the larger sensor in the main camera. Additionally, the Photographic Styles function allows you to choose how the phone processes images. If you like things such as higher contrast or warmer tones, preferences can be set through this feature.

Pro: Advanced Video Capabilities

The video quality with the iPhone 13 is also quite good. 4K can be recorded at up to an impressive 60fps and 1080p at 240fps, perfect for slow-motion. Cinematic Mode has also been built on a bit and is capable of switching focus nearly seamlessly between subjects. In post-production, the focus can also be shifted thanks to the phone’s use of both cameras during recording. This allows you to, in effect, change the aperture as well. It should be noted that this mode is only available at 1080p.

Pro: Increased Battery Life

Apple has improved the iPhone 13 with the addition of a 3,227 mAh battery, larger than the 2,815 mAh battery in the iPhone 12. This size allows the phone to last between 10 and 13 hours. Under the usual everyday use, this doubtlessly will be plenty to make it through the day.

Pro: Larger Storage

Though the iPhone 12 came with a measly 64GB for its base storage amount, the iPhone 13 has been brought up to 128GB. This is now on par with the industry standard and the phone’s main competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S21. If 128GB isn’t quite enough, the phone can be purchased with 256 GB for $799 or 512 GB for $999.

Pro: Favorable Price

The base model iPhone 13 with 128GB of storage is priced at $699. Cheaper prices may be achievable by checking the Apple website and carriers for discounts. Given the still-up-to-date specifications of the phone, this price certainly seems reasonable.

Con: No Touch ID

Still missing after the release of the iPhone X in 2017, the iPhone 13 has no Touch ID, which could have well been installed under the screen or the power button as other phones have done. Apple instead has decided to rely on face ID for its biometrics features.

Con: Charging is slow

The iPhone 13 charges about halfway in 30 minutes with its 20W charger, lower than competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy S21, which hits a speed of 25W.

Con: Lower Refresh Rate

Though the display on the iPhone 13 looks great, it does unfortunately have one negative and that is its 60Hz refresh rate. To get the 120Hz refresh rate that many competitors enjoy, you will have to either go with the iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max.

Pulse 2.0 Score: 4.5 Out of 5

The iPhone 13 receives a Pulse 2.0 score of 4.5 out of 5. Though the phone is now a generation behind the current flagship, it continues to hold its own at a reasonable, reduced price. The capable cameras and excellent performance, among other features, make this phone feel fresh.

For iPhone 12 users wanting a change, you will likely want to wait for the iPhone 14 or even wait for the generation after to maximize the updates you get. If it’s been several years since you’ve purchased a phone and are looking to upgrade, the iPhone 13 would surely fit the bill.

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