Every year, Apple launches a new iPhone lineup, and I am not complaining. But every time the latest products are rolled out, Apple fans face a persistent issue: whether to upgrade or stick to their existing model. The choice becomes difficult, especially if you have popular variants like the iPhone 13. So, if you are stuck in the iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 13 confusion, here is your solution.
I have compiled this detailed iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 13 comparison to help you make an informed purchase decision. Here, we will discuss the similarities and dissimilarities of their specs, price, camera, battery, display, and more. So, without much ado, let’s start:
Key specifications – iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 13
| Specifications | iPhone 15 | iPhone 13 |
| Dimensions | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.3 inches |
| Weight | 6.02 ounces | 6.14 ounces |
| Display | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Processor | A16 Bionic chip | A15 Bionic chip |
| Rear camera | 48MP + 12MP | 12MP + 12MP |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Charging | USB-C | Lightning |
| Battery Life | 20 hours of video playback | 19 hours of video playback |
| Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256/512GB |
| Price | Starts at $799 | Starts at $599 |
Build quality
Adorning an exclusive design, the iPhone 15 comes in a solid aerospace-grade aluminum frame measuring 15 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches and weighing 6.02 ounces. The glass finish on the back has color infused throughout the enclosure for an impressive look. In addition, the Ceramic Shield front is stronger than any smartphone glass in the market. Lightweight, durable, and stylish- everything you will love.
On the other hand, the iPhone 13 aluminum frame measures 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.3 inches and weighs 6.14 ounces. Like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 13 also features flat tempered glass on the backside. As evident, there are no eye-catching differences between the two models.
A major change in the design is the presence of USB-C port on the iPhone 15, ending Apple’s long-standing relationship with the Lightning port. More on that later!
Display – iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 13
For display, iPhone 15 boasts a 6.1-inch OLED screen for high-definition views. The Super Retina XDR display, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2556×1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppi add to the display quality of your smartphone. Moreover, the 2,000 nits peak brightness ensures you don’t have to squint your eyes when using your phone in broad sunlight.
Similarly, iPhone 13 too has a 6.1-inches Super Retina XDR OLED screen and offers a resolution of 2532×1170-pixel at 460 ppi. The 1,200 nits peak brightness for HDR never lets you miss any details of your content. Its 60Hz refresh rate keeps your display crisp and clear. Interestingly (or sadly), even the iPhone 15 has just a 60Hz refresh rate.
A major difference between iPhone 13 and 15 comes in the form of the cutout placed at the top of their screens. Where the older device features a notch, the latest adorns a Dynamic Island. Ironically, the two design utilities serve similar purposes: house the selfie camera and face-recognition sensors. However, there is a big catch here.
The notch is a rectangular cutout strip at the top that remains unresponsive and black irrespective of your tasks on the device. Conversely, the relatively smaller, pill-shaped Dynamic Island is designed to work for you.
Camera – iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 13
Cameras are the USP of iPhones, irrespective of which model you are using. The iPhone 15 houses a 48MP wide main camera coupled with 12MP ultrawide and 12MP periscope telephoto lenses.
Contrarily, the iPhone 13 carries a 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide outlay on the rear side. Though on the front, both models have a 12MP TrueDepth camera for FaceTime calls or selfies. The advanced camera layout lets you capture high-quality pictures and videos in full detail and low light conditions.
If we look for similarities, the two iPhones support portrait mode, 4K video recording, night mode, etc. There is Smart HDR 5 support in iPhone 15 and Smart HDR 4 support in iPhone 13 for pictures and 4K@60fps HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG in both models.
So, what makes the iPhone 15 better? It is a fact that the iPhone 15 is the first non-Pro smartphone from Apple featuring 2X optical-quality zoom. Plus, Apple promises to offer next-level portraits with the Portrait mode. The feature automatically detects people or pets in the picture and captures in-depth information without your instructions.
Another difference in the camera layout is the inclusion of Action Mode in the newer model. Originally added to iPhone 14, Action mode renders smooth video stabilization in unsteady moments. For instance, when you are creating a gym vlog while running on the treadmill.
Hardware
Apple gives you its most advanced and best-performing processor, the A16 Bionic chip in iPhone 15. The 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine ensure your smartphone helps you multitask without lags. Contrarily, you get an A15 Bionic chip in iPhone 13. The configuration includes a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
Whether it is opening apps, streaming content, playing games, or doing everything together – the fast processors do it all for you. Moreover, the Neural Engine improves machine learning functions like image recognition, natural language processing, and augmented reality.
However, the A16 chip is significantly faster and more efficient than the A15 chip. Its higher clock speed of 3.46GHz compared to the 3.23GHz in its predecessor promises better video performance.
Other features
Here are some must-consider features essential to compare iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 before choosing your favorite:
- Battery: You get a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery in both iPhones. While the battery size of the iPhone 15 is still not known, it is expected to be close to the 3,227mAh battery of the iPhone 13. Per Apple, iPhone 13 offers 19 hours of video playback, whereas iPhone 15 offers 20 hours of video play.
- Charging: Both models have 20-watt charging support through the USB-C (iPhone 15) and Lightning port (iPhone 13). Plus, the models share wireless MagSafe charging of up to 15 watts and Qi charging of up to 7.5W. They can offer up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher. Also, don’t forget to check our list of best USB-C chargers for iPhone 15 series.
- Sensors: Apple gives access to Face ID, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Barometer, and Three-axis gyro in iPhone 13. The new variant has Face ID, High dynamic range gyro, Barometer, High-g accelerometer, Proximity sensor, and Dual ambient light sensors.
- Connectivity: Both iPhones support 5G with 4×4 MIMO, Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit LTE, and Bluetooth 5.3 (Bluetooth 5.0 in iPhone 13).
- Colors: No matter how big you sigh, color palettes are essential for smartphone buyers, especially with premium purchases like Apple. Where iPhone 15 hosts hues like pink, yellow, green, and blue in their softest variants, the iPhone 13 comes in dark blue, dark green, bright red, and white.
- Emergency features: For safety, the Apple iPhone 15 has features like Emergency SOS via Satellite, crash detection, and Roadside Assistance via Satellite. Unfortunately, the iPhone 13 only has an Emergency SOS facility.
Price – iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 13
With the iPhone 15 launch, the price of the iPhone 13 plummeted. Something that is expected after the release of an upgraded model. Currently, you can buy the iPhone 13 at $899 for 512GB, $699 for 256GB, and $599 for 256GB storage variants from the Apple Store.
On the other hand, Apple iPhone 15 will cost you $1,099 for 512GB, $899 for 256GB, and $799 for 128GB models.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 13 – The Verdict
With the iPhone 15, Apple introduced a stack of minor but significant upgrades in features and functionalities. Including a more powerful processor, improved camera, longer battery life, and Dynamic Island gives the variant an edge over the iPhone 13.
And how can you miss the USB-C charging port – an upgrade that took Apple years to come up with? Finally! But you must recognize the value iPhone 13 offers at a $200 lower investment. The build is similar, and so are many of the features, making the iPhone 13 a strong contender in the market.
Let’s address our ultimate query: Whether to upgrade to iPhone 15 from iPhone 13 or not. I would like you to base your decision on your requirements and budget. If you are willing to pay an extra $200 for a better experience, upgrade to iPhone 15 should be in your mind.
However, the iPhone 13 is not a losing game in the opposite scenario either. The smartphone promises the best value for money for now!
I hope this article helps you in making the right choice. Do share your thoughts in the comments section. Till then, keep reading.
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