Apple iPhone 13 review
The Apple Apple iPhone 13 ranks as the #506 smartphone globally, achieving a LibraScore of 55. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #41-ranked design among 865 phones. Consider the Apple iPhone 13 mini or vivo Y300, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Build Quality and Design
The Apple iPhone 13 arrives with an unchanged design compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 12. However, this year's model boasts a slightly smaller notch cutout for the selfie camera and Face ID. This subtle change is significant, as it marks the first time Apple has deviated from its commitment to the original notch design. The build quality of the iPhone 13 remains top-notch, with a flat Corning-made glass back that provides a premium feel in hand. The phone's weight has increased by 10 grams compared to last year's model, but this is hardly noticeable. The aluminum frame continues to provide a solid grip, and the iPhone 13's IP68 rating ensures it can withstand the rigors of daily use. One notable change is the reduction in notch size, which makes for a more immersive viewing experience when watching videos or gaming. The bezels have been trimmed down slightly, but this has had no impact on the phone's overall durability. The design of the iPhone 13 exudes a sense of sophistication and elegance, making it a desirable device for those who value style as much as substance. While some may find the lack of significant design changes disappointing, others will appreciate the subtle tweaks that have been made to refine an already excellent package. Ultimately, the build quality and design of the iPhone 13 remain among the best in the industry. The phone's durability, premium materials, and attention to detail make it a joy to hold and use, even if the design itself is not revolutionary. Give Apple iPhone 14 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled design.
Battery Life
The iPhone 13's battery life is a notable improvement over its predecessor. With a larger capacity of 3240 milliampere-hours, this new model can easily last for three more hours of video playback or web browsing compared to the iPhone 12. In our tests, the iPhone 13 scored an impressive 89-hour endurance rating, indicating that it can handle heavy usage with ease. One of the benefits of the larger battery is its ability to keep up with demanding tasks without significant degradation in performance. The A15 Bionic chip, which powers the phone, provides a smooth and responsive experience even when pushed to its limits. However, it's worth noting that charging speed has taken a slight hit. While still relatively quick, the iPhone 13 takes a bit longer to fully charge compared to its predecessor. Despite this minor trade-off, the improved battery life is a welcome feature for anyone who wants a phone that can keep up with their daily needs without needing to be charged multiple times. The iPhone 13's larger battery also means you'll have more flexibility when it comes to using power-hungry apps or playing games on the go. Overall, the iPhone 13's battery life is a significant improvement over its predecessor, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants a reliable and long-lasting smartphone experience. Get your hands on Apple iPhone 13 Pro if you're looking for better battery.
Display
The iPhone 13's display is similar to last year's model, with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen protected by Ceramic Shield, some of the toughest glass available. While this year's iPhone 13 Pro boasts a fast 120Hz refresh rate, the standard model sticks to a standard 60Hz, still a respectable choice. One notable improvement is the increased maximum brightness, which we measured at around 800 nits on the slider compared to approximately 640 nits on the iPhone 12. This should provide a more comfortable viewing experience when using the phone outdoors in sunny conditions. The panel exhibits excellent color accuracy across all brightness settings and features deep OLED blacks, accurate colors, and great contrast. The dynamic range is balanced but not exceptionally wide. In terms of display quality, the iPhone 13's screen holds its own against other high-end smartphones. While it may not be the most impressive aspect of the phone, it certainly doesn't detract from the overall experience. If you're upgrading from a previous model, you might not notice a significant difference in display quality compared to your existing device. However, for those who are new to the iPhone series or looking to switch from another manufacturer, the display on the iPhone 13 is definitely up to par with other premium smartphones on the market. Ultimately, the display on the iPhone 13 is a solid choice that complements its excellent performance and camera capabilities. If you're in the market for a new smartphone, the iPhone 13's display should be one of the many factors to consider when making your decision. Consider discovering the power of Apple iPhone 14 Pro, featuring the latest advancements in display.
Camera
The camera has always been a highlight of the iPhone series, and the latest iteration, the iPhone 13, is no exception. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that while some areas have improved, others remain unchanged. The dual-camera setup on the iPhone 13 features a 12-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. While the addition of a new sensor with larger pixels may seem like an improvement, our testing revealed that the overall image quality is essentially identical to its predecessor, the iPhone 12. Photos taken with the main camera are rich in detail, with great contrast and low noise. However, when compared to the iPhone 12, there's no discernible difference. The same can be said for night mode shots, which are excellent but don't show any noticeable improvement over the previous generation. One of the standout features of the iPhone 13 camera is its ability to produce exceptional selfies. With spectacular resolve detail, praise-worthy contrast and dynamic range, low noise, and accurate colors, these photos are among the best we've seen in a smartphone. The ultra-wide-angle lens also produces decent photos, but with less impressive results than the main camera. While they have balanced exposure and good contrast and color saturation, they're still relatively soft and noisy. Disabling night mode on the ultra-wide camera leads to even darker and noisier images with smeared details and desaturated colors, making it not recommended. On the other hand, night mode works seamlessly on both cameras, producing excellent results with balanced exposure and good detail. The iPhone 13 also boasts a new feature called cinematic mode, which allows for advanced portrait mode photography in 1080p resolution at 30fps. This feature uses real-time depth mapping to create a cinematic look, which can be tweaked and changed in post-processing. In conclusion, while the camera on the iPhone 13 has some notable strengths, it falls short of expectations in certain areas. The lack of significant improvement over its predecessor and the absence of features like autofocus on the ultra-wide-angle lens make it feel like a missed opportunity. You might prefer Apple iPhone 13 mini, designed with an upgraded camera for a better experience.
Price and Value
The iPhone 13 is here, and with it comes a series of incremental updates that may leave some wondering if the price tag is justified. Priced at $799 for the base model, the iPhone 13 doesn't stray far from its predecessor in terms of design. The same shape and form factor are retained, but with a slightly smaller notch cutout for the selfie cam and Face ID. While this may seem like a minor change, it's a welcome respite from the traditional notch that has become synonymous with Apple's iPhones. What does set the iPhone 13 apart is its new A15 Bionic chipset, which provides a significant boost in performance compared to last year's model. The camera experience is also improved, with better low-light performance and stunning selfie capabilities. However, it's worth noting that if you're already rocking an iPhone 12, the upgrades on offer here may not be substantial enough to warrant an upgrade. In fact, some of the more significant features, such as a 120Hz refresh rate and autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, are reserved for the Pro models. So, is the iPhone 13 worth it? For those looking to join the Apple ecosystem or who value the latest and greatest technology, perhaps yes. But for existing iPhone users, especially those with an iPhone 12, the price tag may be a stretch too far. With a starting price of $799, you'd expect more substantial upgrades than what's on offer here. Ultimately, the iPhone 13 is a solid device that checks all the right boxes for Apple fans, but it doesn't necessarily live up to its price tag.
Performance
The Apple iPhone 13 boasts a significant upgrade in performance with its latest Apple A15 Bionic chipset. This powerhouse provides incredible speeds, topping the charts in CPU tests by up to 15% compared to the iPhone 12. The result is seamless multitasking and app launching. The new chipset also enables smooth gaming experiences, even on demanding titles set to their highest settings. While it may not quite match the graphics scores of the iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max, which feature an additional GPU core, the vanilla iPhone 13 still outperforms its predecessor by a considerable margin. In our tests, the iPhone 13 demonstrated exceptional thermals, ensuring that the device stays cool even during intense usage. This, combined with the enhanced performance, makes it an excellent choice for those who demand top-notch processing power without compromising on overall system health. One notable omission in the iPhone 13 is the lack of a 120Hz refresh rate, which some may find surprising given its high-end positioning. However, this does not detract from the device's overall performance capabilities. The inclusion of a more efficient and powerful chipset elevates the iPhone 13 to the top tier of smartphones, making it an attractive option for those seeking a premium mobile experience. While upgrades to other aspects of the phone are welcome, the significant boost in performance provided by the Apple A15 Bionic chipset is undeniably one of the standout features of the new iPhone 13. A better alternative might be Apple iPhone 13 mini, featuring a next-level performance.