In the event you personal an iPhone 13, must you improve to the iPhone 16 for its quicker efficiency, higher cameras and Apple Intelligence assist? Or must you wait one other 12 months?
Three years is a very long time within the tech world. The iPhone 13 launched in 2021 with cutting-edge specs. However in 2024, it’s exhibiting its age, particularly when in comparison with the iPhone 16. Discover out if that is the 12 months to improve in our in-depth shopping for information, which pits iPhone 16 versus iPhone 13.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13 comparability
Apple simply gave its non-Professional iPhone lineup the largest improve in the previous few years. As highlighted in our iPhone 16 overview, shopping for the non-Professional iPhone makes extra sense this 12 months than standard. Whereas Apple’s latest iPhone packs some compelling upgrades, it doesn’t make your outdated iPhone 13 any worse. The three-year-old cellphone misses out on Apple Intelligence however helps all different main iOS 18 options. Plus, efficiency is sort of by no means an issue with older iPhones, because of Apple’s optimizations.
Given every little thing, must you improve to the iPhone 16 out of your iPhone 13? Or must you stick with your outdated iPhone for an additional 12 months? Discover out on this comparability.
Desk of contents: iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13 comparability
Design: Identical look however iPhone 16 will get 2 new buttons
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: 147.6mm x 71.6mm x 7.80mm; 171 grams; IP68, aerospace-grade aluminum with color-infused glass again, second-gen Ceramic Defend (entrance), Motion button, Digicam Management
- iPhone 13: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.65mm, 173 grams, IP68, aluminum with glass again, Ceramic Defend (entrance), ring/silent change
Regardless of launching three years later, the iPhone 16 retains virtually the identical dimensions because the iPhone 13. There are minor variations, just like the iPhone 16 being 2 grams lighter and 0.15mm thicker. However these adjustments are too small to be simply noticeable.
Essentially the most important change on the entrance is the iPhone 16’s Dynamic Island, the interactive oval interface that replaces the notch on the prime of the display. On the rear, the iPhone 16’s vertical digicam structure is much like that of the iPhone X, differing from the iPhone 13.
Each telephones are made out of aluminum, however the brand new iPhone makes use of a extra sturdy entrance glass. It additionally trades within the ring/mute change in favor of the extra customizable Motion button. Plus, there’s the brand new Digicam Management, which offers you with fast entry to the Digicam app and its key controls.
Lastly, just like the iPhone 13, the iPhone 16 is available in a number of colours. Nonetheless, the latter makes use of snazzier hues that stand out over its predecessor.
Show: Brighter and extra environment friendly
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show, 2,556 x 1,179 pixels, 60Hz refresh price, Haptic Contact, True Tone, Dynamic Island, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 1,000 nits typical brightness, 2,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimal brightness
- iPhone 13: 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show, 2,532 x 1,170 pixels, 60Hz refresh price, Haptic Contact, True Tone, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 800 nits typical brightness, 1,200 nits peak brightness
The iPhone 16 sports activities the identical dimension show because the iPhone 13. And whereas its decision is sort of the identical, it’s a considerably brighter panel. Apple says peak brightness hits 2,000 nits, 800 nits larger than the iPhone 13. This could present a greater viewing expertise in virtually all situations, together with direct daylight. For the reason that OLED display is extra environment friendly, iPhone 16 received’t throttle the brightness underneath direct daylight as shortly as iPhone 13.
Processor and storage: iPhone 16 is greater than 50% quicker than iPhone 13
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: A18, 3nm fab, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, new 16-core Neural Engine, as much as 512GB storage
- iPhone 13: A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, as much as 512GB storage
Don’t let the iPhone 16’s A18 chip, which packs the identical variety of CPU cores because the iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic, idiot you. Apple says its latest A-series SoC delivers a 50% increase in CPU and GPU efficiency every. And regardless of this, it’s extra energy environment friendly, consuming much less battery to complete the identical duties extra shortly.
The Neural Engine can be greater than twice as quick, permitting for speedier machine studying and AI processing. Extra importantly, the iPhone 16 ships with 8GB of RAM, twice as a lot because the iPhone 13. It will assist the brand new cellphone ship higher multitasking efficiency whereas holding extra apps in reminiscence for longer.
One other underrated change on the iPhone 16 is the up to date inner structure. This permits for higher warmth dissipation, enabling the cellphone to offer higher sustained efficiency.
The quicker A-series SoC, Neural Engine and extra RAM are additionally the the explanation why the iPhone 16 helps Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI-powered options that may start rolling out quickly. The iPhone 13 doesn’t assist Apple Intelligence.
Digicam: Increased decision on iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: 48MP f/1.6 Fusion digicam, sensor-shift stabilization; 12MP f/2.2 Extremely Large; macro pictures, Sensible HDR 5, True Tone flash, Cinematic mode (4K HDR@30fps), Motion mode, spatial video recording, wind noise discount, customizable Photographic Kinds, Audio Combine; Entrance: 12MP digicam with f/1.9 aperture, autofocus
- iPhone 13: 12MP f/1.6 major digicam, sensor-shift stabilization; 12MP f/2.4 Extremely Large, Sensible HDR 4, True Tone flash, Cinematic mode (1080p@30fps), Photographic Kinds; Entrance: 12MP digicam with f/2.2 aperture
On paper, it’d appear to be the one distinction between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 is the latter’s 48MP major digicam. However that’s not true. The iPhone 16 makes use of an even bigger major digicam, permitting extra mild consumption. With Sensible HDR 5 and different processing enhancements, it takes notably higher photos than the iPhone 13.
The identical is true for the Extremely Large sensor as properly. The iPhone 16’s sensor encompasses a wider aperture for extra mild consumption. Plus, macro assist helps you to take photos with a brand new perspective by getting near the topic.
Different enhancements embrace assist for spatial video recording, Motion mode for stabilizing video, and the power to report 4K Cinematic movies. Apple’s latest iPhone additionally ships with customizable Photographic Kinds, so you’ll be able to tweak the picture processing to realize your required look.
Connectivity: iPhone 16 is healthier than iPhone 13 in virtually each method
- iPhone 16: Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc, Roadside Help through satellite tv for pc, Thread networking, excessive dynamic vary gyro, Crash Detection, twin eSIM slots, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB-C (USB 2 at 480Mbps), second-gen Extremely Wideband chip
- iPhone 13: Emergency SOS, Twin SIM assist, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, Lightning connector (USB 2 at 480Mbps), Extremely Wideband chip
The iPhone 16 brings notable connectivity upgrades over the iPhone 13. With satellite tv for pc connectivity, you should use the iPhone 16 to contact emergency companies when out of community protection. Different security options embrace a excessive dynamic vary gyroscope for automotive crash detection.
That’s not it, although. The iPhone 16 helps quicker Wi-Fi 7 and a more recent Bluetooth customary. It additionally ditches the Lightning port for USB-C, which has grow to be the de facto port for all client electronics. So, you should use the identical cable to cost your iPhone, iPad, MacBook and different gadgets.
Lastly, the iPhone 16 makes use of a more recent Qualcomm modem, which permits quicker 5G speeds and higher connectivity in areas with spotty community protection.
Battery life: Longer lasting in iPhone 16
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: As much as 22 hours of video playback, as much as 80 hours of audio playback; 25W MagSafe and Qi2 wi-fi charging assist
- iPhone 13: As much as 19 hours of video playback, as much as 75 hours of audio playback; 15W MagSafe and Qi2 wi-fi charging assist
Regardless of comparable dimensions and extra highly effective internals, Apple says iPhone 16 lasts longer than iPhone 13. That is doubtless as a consequence of a extra environment friendly show, modem and processor, which devour much less energy whereas delivering higher efficiency.
Moreover the longer battery life, the iPhone 16 helps 25W MagSafe wi-fi charging utilizing Apple’s new MagSafe wi-fi charger. This implies you’ll be able to prime up its battery shortly when charging wirelessly.
Value: The identical
Picture: Apple
- iPhone 16: Begins at $799 for 128GB storage
- iPhone 13: Begins at $799 for 128GB storage
Apple launched the iPhone 16 three years after the iPhone 13. It packs enhancements in all the important thing areas, together with the digicam, design, connectivity and battery life. But, it prices the identical as its predecessor, with a beginning price ticket of $799.
You possibly can improve to the 256GB variant, which you must ideally do, by paying a further $100. There’s additionally a 512GB variant ($1,099) if you’d like much more storage.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13 conclusion: Improve is sweet however not crucial
The iPhone 16’s quite a few enhancements make it an all-around improve from iPhone 13. Even for those who don’t care about efficiency or higher cameras, Apple Intelligence is a tempting improve issue. Plus, the longer battery life is all the time welcome. However must you improve from the iPhone 13 to iPhone 16? In case your outdated iPhone is exhibiting its age and you might be sad with its digicam or battery life, the improve is unquestionably price it.
Nonetheless, in case your utilization is primary and you may’t consider any issues along with your iPhone 13, stick with it for an additional 12 months. If battery life is the one sore level, get it changed. That’s a less expensive and significantly better resolution than shopping for a brand new iPhone altogether. Extra importantly, Apple is planning some massive adjustments for the iPhone 17 lineup in 2025. This consists of launching a brand new slimmer “iPhone Air” or “iPhone Slim” mannequin and making a 120Hz ProMotion show customary throughout all iPhones.
In case you have made up your thoughts about shopping for the iPhone 16 however are questioning for those who ought to go for the Professional mannequin, try our iPhone 16 Professional versus iPhone 16 comparability to determine.
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iPhone 16: Apple