Highlights
- iPhone 13 retains sleek design and supports MagSafe technology.
- Powered by the A15 Bionic chip, it offers exceptional performance.
- Features a dual-camera setup with professional-level exposure and color accuracy.
- Provides all-day battery life, making it reliable for heavy use.
Apple iPhones are perhaps the longest-running and least deprecating smartphones on the planet.
So much so that even the iPhone 13, now more than 30 months old is still in contention as a choice for Apple enthusiasts.
But is the iPhone 13 still a worthy purchase in 2024?
Let’s delve into the details and find out.
Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 13, despite being a few years old, still holds its own in terms of design and build quality.
It retains the sleek aesthetics of its predecessors, featuring flat edges and a diagonal camera arrangement.
The design doesn’t feel outdated in 20241, and it supports MagSafe technology for easy charging.
However, it’s prone to smudges, so using a protective case is advisable.
Performance and Display
The iPhone 13 is equipped with the A15 Bionic chip processor, providing outstanding performance for tasks such as gaming, app navigation, multitasking, and background app access.
Despite the device’s age, you won’t notice significant performance differences in daily use.
This is a testament to Apple’s commitment to long-term support for its devices.
The OLED screen on the iPhone 13 offers better brightness compared to the previous generation, reaching up to 800 nits.
However, it maintains a 60Hz refresh rate, reserving 120Hz for the more Pro models in Apple’s lineup.
In terms of screen brightness, if you have a device with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, you might notice differences compared to the iPhone 13.
Camera, Battery Life, and Price
The camera remains a standout feature of the iPhone 13.
It essentially offers iPhone 14-level specs, featuring a dual camera setup with a wide-angle and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens.
The iPhone 13’s camera excels in well-lit environments, delivering excellent color accuracy, contrast, and professional-level exposure.
One of the most significant advantages of the iPhone 13 is its all-day battery life.
This makes it a reliable companion for those who use their phone heavily throughout the day.
The iPhone 13 only costs Rs 52,090 for the 128GB variant.
If you’re open to getting a refurbished model, you can also consider the iPhone 13 Pro, but you’d have to increase your budget.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 14
How about a direct comparison with the next-gen models?
The iPhone 14, while being an iterative update, does outdo the iPhone 13 in a few areas.
It has a slightly improved camera, marginally better battery life, and tweaked graphics that make gaming smoother.
However, the iPhone 14 will set you back more than the older model at about Rs 58,999.
Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 use the A15 Bionic chipset, but the new model has the 5-core GPU found in the iPhone 13 Pro.
The iPhone 13 has a quad-core GPU. The iPhone 14 also offers a larger main camera sensor, and safety features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection. Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 offers a cheaper entry price.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 has a lot of upgrades over the iPhone 13, including a Dynamic Island, USB-C port, and a 48MP camera.
It also has a faster A16 Bionic chipset.
However, it costs more than the iPhone 13 at Rs 67,999.
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 both feature the same improved water resistance, Ceramic Shield glass, 12MP ultra-wide camera, support for MagSafe accessories, and more.
In conclusion, while the iPhone 13 is still a solid device in 2024, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 offer several improvements.
However, these improvements come at a higher cost.
Therefore, whether the iPhone 13 is a worthy purchase in 2024 largely depends on your individual needs and budget.
APPLE IPHONE 13 SPECIFICATIONS
Key Specs
RAM | 4 GB |
Processor | Apple A15 Bionic |
Rear Camera | 12 MP + 12 MP |
Front Camera | 12 MP |
Battery | 3227 mAh |
Display | 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) |
General
Launch Date | September 17, 2021 (Official) |
Operating System | iOS v15 |
Performance
Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic |
CPU | Hexa Core (3.23 GHz, Dual core, Avalanche + 1.82 GHz, Quad core, Blizzard) |
Architecture | 64 bit |
Fabrication | 5 nm |
Graphics | Apple GPU (four-core graphics) |
RAM | 4 GB
Excellent
|
RAM Type | LPDDR4X |
Display
Display Type | OLED |
Screen Size | 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) |
Resolution | 1170 x 2532 pixels |
Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 |
Pixel Density | 457 ppi
Best in Class
|
Screen to Body Ratio (calculated) | 86.89 % |
Screen Protection | Yes |
Bezel-less display | Yes |
Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
Brightness | 800 nits |
HDR 10 / HDR+ support | Yes |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
Design
Height | 146.7 mm Compare Size |
Width | 71.5 mm |
Thickness | 7.6 mm
Very Good
|
Weight | 173 grams
Average
|
Build Material | Back: Gorilla Glass |
Colours | Blue, Green, Pink, Red, Starlight, Midnight |
Waterproof | Yes, Water resistant (up to 30 minutes in a depth of 6 meter), IP68 |
Ruggedness | Dust proof |
Camera
MAIN CAMERA | ||
Camera Setup | Dual | |
Resolution | 12 MP f/1.6, Wide Angle, Primary Camera 12 MP f/2.4, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera(13 mm focal length) |
|
Sensor | Sensor-shift Image Stabilization | |
Autofocus | Yes, Phase Detection autofocus, Dual Pixel autofocus | |
OIS | Yes | |
Flash | Yes, Dual LED Flash | |
Image Resolution | 4000 x 3000 Pixels | |
Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control | |
Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) Burst mode |
|
Camera Features | 5 x Digital Zoom 2 x Optical Zoom Auto Flash Face detection Touch to focus |
|
Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 24 fps 1920×1080 @ 30 fps 1280×720 @ 30 fps |
|
FRONT CAMERA | ||
Camera Setup | Single | |
Resolution | 12 MP f/2.2, Wide Angle, Primary Camera(23 mm focal length, 3.6″ sensor size) | |
Flash | Yes, Retina Flash | |
Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 24 fps 1920×1080 @ 30 fps |
Battery
Capacity | 3227 mAh |
Type | Li-ion |
Removable | No |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Quick Charging | Yes, Fast, 20W: 50 % in 30 minutes |
USB Type-C | No |
Storage
Internal Memory | 128 GB
Best in Class
|
Expandable Memory | No |
Storage Type | NVMe |
Network & Connectivity
SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: eSIM |
Network Support | 5G Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
VoLTE | Yes |
SIM 1 |
5G Bands:
FDD N1 / N2 / N3 / N5 / N7 / N8 / N20 / N25 / N28 / N66
TDD N38 / N40 / N41 / N71 / N77 / N78 / N79 4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41) / 2100(band 34) / 1900(band 39) / 3500(band 42)
FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 1900(band 2) / 1700(band 4) / 850(band 5) / 700(band 13) / 700(band 17) / 850(band 18) / 850(band 19) / 800(band 20) / 1900(band 25) / 850(band 26) / 2300(band 30) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
SIM 2 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41) / 2100(band 34) / 1900(band 39) / 3500(band 42)
FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 1900(band 2) / 1700(band 4) / 850(band 5) / 700(band 13) / 700(band 17) / 850(band 18) / 850(band 19) / 800(band 20) / 1900(band 25) / 850(band 26) / 2300(band 30) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
SAR Value | Head: 1.18 W/kg, Body: 1.19 W/kg |
Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) 5GHz, MIMO |
Wi-Fi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
Wi-Fi Calling | Yes |
Bluetooth | Yes, v5.0 |
GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
NFC | Yes |
Multimedia
FM Radio | No |
Loudspeaker | Yes |
Audio Jack | Lightning |
Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus |
Sensors
Fingerprint Sensor | No |
Other Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
FAQs
Is the iPhone 13 still a good buy in 2024?
Considering its performance, camera quality, and all-day battery life, the iPhone 13 remains a compelling option in 2024 for those looking for a balance of features and price.
How does the iPhone 13’s camera compare to newer models?
The iPhone 13’s camera setup is competitive, offering similar specifications to the iPhone 14, making it still excellent in bright conditions and for capturing detailed photos.
Can the iPhone 13 handle the latest apps and games?
Yes, thanks to its A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone 13 efficiently runs the latest apps and games without noticeable performance drops, even more than 30 months after its release.
What are the design features of the iPhone 13?
The iPhone 13 features flat edges, a diagonal camera setup, and supports MagSafe technology, maintaining a modern look that doesn’t feel outdated in 2024.
What’s the price difference between the iPhone 13 and newer models?
The iPhone 13 offers a more affordable entry point at Rs 52,090 for the 128GB variant compared to newer models, making it a budget-friendly option for Apple enthusiasts.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 13 Available at a Discounted Price of Rs.41,749
Also Read: iPhone 15: A Must-Have Upgrade? Evaluating Benefits for iPhone 13 & 14 Enthusiasts
Also Read: iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Is It Worth the Upgrade?