iPhone 13 deals: what you need to know
OS: iOS 15 | Screen size: 6.1-inch Retina XDR (60Hz)| Resolution: 2532 x 1170 | CPU: Apple A15 | Memory: N/A | Weight: 174g |Storage: 128 / 256 / 512GB | Battery: N/A | Rear camera: 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide| Front camera: 12MP
At first glance, 2021's Apple flagship the iPhone 13 looks rather similar to its direct predecessor - the iPhone 12. All the iPhone 13 series (and 14 series) rock the same 'squared' off aesthetic as the 12-series from 2022 as well as the introductory price of 99, which is where Apple has generally settled at for its flagships,
That's where the similarities end, though. Key new features include an upgraded OLED display with up to 28% improved peak brightness, plus A15 Bionic processor - a chip that Apple claims has up to 50% faster performance than any competitor. Take that Samsung.
You'll also find a brand new diagonal rear camera system with an upgraded sensor and image stabilization on the iPhone 13. Supporting these improvements is a new 'Cinematic mode' for video capture - a very nifty little piece of software that uses computation for automatic and easy focus shifting.
A slightly less glamorous, but always welcome upgrade is in the iPhone 13's battery life. Not only does it have a bigger capacity now, but improvements via the new 'smart data' mode enable more efficient usage overall.
Overall, the iPhone 13 does have some very beefy upgrades under the hood versus the iPhone 12 and a newly reduced retail price of $699 makes it a very tempting option indeed. Even when paired up against the newer iPhone 14, it essentially features the same chip, screen, and overall design, which makes it a great buy in context. You'll have to do without improvements to the battery, camera, and a new satellite SOS system, however.
iPhone 13 deals: frequently asked questions
Should I go for the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 14?
Tough question, and one that depends solely on your eligibility for the above deals in our opinion. Are you sitting on an iPhone 12 that's due for an upgrade? Depending on the carrier you may be able to get a big trade-in rebate on the iPhone 14, in which case it obviously makes more sense to simply pick up the latest device.
Where things get murkier is with buying the device outright, or if you're going for a non-trade-in promotion at one of the big carriers. Now the iPhone 13 is $200 cheaper across the board and available with a more flexible array of promotions, it's a tempting option for those looking to save a bit of cash.
In this case, we'd recommend comparing the specs and features of each device and deciding whether the upgrade is worth it to you. In regards to power, screen, and overall design both devices are roughly equivalent. Where the iPhone 14 pulls ahead is with an upgraded camera and better battery life. If those are important to you, then it may be worth ponying up the extra $100 to get the later device.
- Alternatively, See the best cell phone deals available this week for Android devices