Is the iPhone 13 still worth buying today?

Apple introduced the iPhone 15 during its Wonderlust event on September 12, 2023. However, the iPhone 13, released in 2021, still offers great value. It shares a similar design and most features with the iPhone 14 (and even iPhone 15) but comes at an even more affordable price now. While we’ve already compared the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 13 and discussed whether to upgrade to the iPhone 15 in separate articles, this time, we’ll examine if anything has changed recently and if buying the iPhone 13 in 2023 is still a wise choice.

You should buy the iPhone 13 if…

You want to save money

Getting an iPhone 13 right now is a smart move mainly because it’s budget-friendly. When you compare it to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14, the iPhone 13 is a wallet-friendly option. Apple, even two years after it originally launched the iPhone 13, continues to sell this smartphone and has even dropped the price for the base variant to just $599 from the original price of $799. On the other hand, the same storage capacity iPhone 14 goes for $699 and the iPhone 15 is a hefty $799. This makes the iPhone 13 an attractive choice for those looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.

You can purchase the iPhone 13 for $599 directly from Apple or take advantage of special deals at Best Buy or through carriers (check out the links below for the best deals). Additionally, you can invest the money saved to purchase accessories for your new iPhone, such as the USB-C power adapter (which is not included in the box), protective cases for your new smartphone, a pair of AirPods, or a MagSafe wireless charger.

In a nutshell, if you want a budget-friendly smartphone that offers solid performance, reliable cameras, long battery life, and support for the latest iOS, the iPhone 13 is the way to go. Plus, buying one today could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

You want great hardware & software

Apart from being affordable, another reason to choose the iPhone 13 is because it shares nearly the same hardware as the iPhone 14, which costs $100 more. The iPhone 13 offers you the same 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display, IP68 dust and water resistance, tough Ceramic Shield glass, the latest iOS support, Face ID, a good battery, and more, just like the iPhone 14.

While the iPhone 14 does come with some slight hardware enhancements, like a slightly better processor, more RAM, and an improved camera, these differences are usually so small that most people won’t even notice them, and they don’t justify the higher price tag. Plus, both phones receive software updates from Apple simultaneously, so you’re covered there, too.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a reliable smartphone with top-of-the-line hardware that doesn’t break the bank, the iPhone 13 is a choice that won’t disappoint.

You don’t want to deal with eSIM

If you prefer using physical SIM cards, then the iPhone 13 is undoubtedly a better choice for you. In the US, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 series exclusively use eSIM technology and don’t have a slot for physical SIM cards. This means if you want to use an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, you’ll need to convert your physical SIM card into an eSIM.

While Apple has collaborated with carriers to facilitate the transition to eSIM, many people have expressed concern that eSIMs do not deliver the same level of reliability and convenience as physical SIM cards — even months after the iPhone 14 series launch. Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs cannot be easily removed, making it difficult to switch between devices. Additionally, obtaining a SIM card in locations other than your own (for example, when traveling internationally) can be a hassle.

On the other hand, the iPhone 13 gives you the best of both worlds. It has a slot for a physical SIM card along with eSIM support, so you have both options available. But if you’re getting an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 from outside the US, you won’t face this issue because international models come with a physical SIM card slot.

Apple iPhone 13

If you want a budget-friendly smartphone that offers solid performance, reliable cameras, long battery life, and a wide range of apps, the iPhone 13 is the way to go.

You should buy the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 today if…

You want better hardware and future-proof yourself

While the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 have quite similar hardware, the iPhone 15 is a huge jump compared to the other two. The iPhone 15 features Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset, which is the same 4nm node process-based chipset as seen on the iPhone 14 Pro series. This means it delivers faster performance, and although you might not notice a big difference in your everyday tasks right now, it can make a significant impact on the phone’s overall performance in the long term, especially for users who use their phones for resource-intensive tasks.

On the whole, if you’re thinking about future-proofing your device and want a phone that will stay relevant for a few years, the iPhone 15 is definitely a better choice compared to the iPhone 13.

You want better camera performance & features

When you take a look at the iPhone 15’s camera, you might think it’s the same as the cameras on the iPhone 13 and 14, but that’s not the case. Apple has given a significant upgrade to the iPhone 15’s camera system, which features a 48MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. In contrast, both the iPhone 14 and 13 have dual-12MP sensors, while the iPhone 15 shares the camera sensor with the iPhone 14 Pro series from last year.

Apple says that the iPhone 15 delivers better photo and video quality compared to the iPhone 14 (and iPhone 13). Additionally, the iPhone 15 captures photos at 24MP by default, which is a tad bit sharper and more detailed compared to the shots from the other two iPhones. It also excels in low-light conditions thanks to the larger sensor.

Moreover, the iPhone 15 can even take automatic portrait shots. This means even if you forget to enable the portrait mode initially, you can enable it later in the Photos app. And, finally, thanks to this larger sensor, the iPhone 15 can take 2x zoom photos without losing any quality. This means the iPhone 15 provides three zoom levels: 0.5x, 1x, and 2x, whereas both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 offer only two zoom levels: 0.5x and 1x.

You want emergency features

Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 offer advanced safety features not found in the iPhone 13. These include Crash detection, Emergency SOS via Satellite, and Roadside assistance technologies, which can be incredibly useful in various situations. If you’re ever in a car accident, these newer iPhone models will automatically contact emergency services, ensuring prompt assistance.

Moreover, if you happen to find yourself in a remote area without any cell signal, the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 allows you to contact emergency services through satellite communication. This feature can be a real lifesaver for outdoor enthusiasts or anyone planning trips to far-off and isolated places.

iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 comes with a 6.1-inch OLED display with the new Dynamic Island, a dual camera setup, new colors, and a USB Type-C port. It’s powered by the Apple A16 Bionic chip, and it’s the most affordable high-end iPhone you can get your hands on today.

Apple iPhone 14

iPhone 14 joins the market as the smartphone to pick if you want a high-tier of performance, great cameras, and battery life that will last you through a day of use with ease.