Last Updated on September 26, 2021 by Rick Darlinton
Apple recently unveiled its latest additions to its iPhone family, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The tech giant’s flagship devices have generated mixed reactions around the globe. In this piece, we take an insightful look at these Apple devices and bring you the comprehensive iPhone 13 review, specs and features so that you can make an informed decision before getting that iPhone 13.
iPhone 13 Review
Size
Size-wise, Apple tries to appeal to everyone with its iPhone 13 lineup.
If you’re not a big fan of large devices, the iPhone 13 Mini is your best option among the latest additions. Measuring 5.18” X 2.53” X 0.30”, the iPhone 13 Mini is certainly a device for moderately-sized pockets and small hands. Its 4.97 Oz weight shouldn’t be a bother for most users.
For the ‘big is beautiful’ users, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are big enough considering the 5.78” X 2.82” X 0.3” dimensions of both devices.
Both iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are heavier than the iPhone 13 Mini. The Pro is much heavier – weighing 7.19 Oz – and it’s largely due to the use of the heavy stainless steel exterior. The iPhone 13 weighs 6.14 Oz, so it’s a middle ground for those not willing to settle for the heavier iPhone 13.
For the ‘bigger is better’ crowd, the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains the preferred choice. The device has dimensions of 6.33” X 3.07” X 0.30”, making the iPhone 13 Pro Max the biggest iPhone yet. With great size comes more weight, so the 8.46 Oz weight of the iPhone 13 Pro Max shouldn’t surprise many.
By offering more choices in the size department, Apple hopes to garner happier customers since size preferences are mostly subjective.
Display Got Better
From afar, the iPhone 13 lineup might not differ from the iPhone 12 series. Yet, this assertion is mostly due to Apple retaining the same display size for the iPhone 13 lineup. Everything changes when you look beyond the size.
All models on the iPhone 13 lineup sport an OLED display, albeit differences in capacity. The maximum brightness on the iPhone 13 Mini varies between 800 nits and 1200 nits depending on the content type. If you’re looking for more brightness, you have to look beyond the iPhone 13; it’s no different from the Mini.
The iPhone 13 Pro outshines the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini in brightness, delivering between 1000 nits and 1200 nits per content need. Both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are equipped with the Apple proprietary ProMotion technology, giving these devices highly flexible refresh rates, so images come out better than on the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13.
The absence of the ProMotion technology on the cheaper models is a big blow for both. And the reasoning behind this absence is even more disturbing.
Improved Camera Capabilities: Say Cheese!
The iPhone 13 lineup sees significant changes from its predecessor, the iPhone 12. A clear case of what an upgrade the iPhone 13 lineup is can be seen in the features. Premium features that were previously limited to the Pros and Pro Max – sensor-shift stabilization, night mode, and more – are now found on the regular iPhone 13 devices.
What this means is that you no longer have to cough out any extra cash to upgrade to the Pro or Pro Max just to enjoy the sensor-shift stabilization feature or snap away in the dark.
With the regular iPhone 13, you can expect to take better pictures. Apple has upgraded the photography software on its iPhones. Add the 12megapixel primary and ultra-wide lens with better aperture, and the iPhone 13 lineup should deliver crispier pictures.
Unlike the iPhone 12 lineup, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max both have a 12megapixel primary lens, telephoto, and ultrawide lens with LiDAR scanner.
Boosted Storage Capacity
One of the shortcomings of the iPhone 12 lineup was the lower base storage – 64GB is rather small for any flagship device. Fortunately, Apple has fixed that problem by improving the base storage on all the models on the iPhone 13 lineup to 128GB.
The upgrade lets users up the ante on the use of the iPhone 13. While 128GB storage capacity is nothing for certain users, it does open up the additional storage options available.
For the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13, you can opt for variants with 256GB or 512GB, splashing more cash for the upgrade. The Pro version’s storage capacity can be upgraded to a terabyte, costing more money, as usual.
Better Battery Life
The battery on each model of the iPhone 13 lineup has been upgraded from what’s obtainable on the iPhone 12 series. On the iPhone 13 Mini, an approximately 2,406mAh feels right at home, which is bigger than the 2,227mAh on its predecessor, the iPhone 12 Mini.
Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro have the same battery capacity, approximately 3,095mAh. It is bigger than the 2,815mAh on their predecessors, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
Perhaps the most significant difference in battery capacity for the iPhone 13 lineup is seen in the iPhone 13 Pro Max. That model comes equipped with an approximately 4,352mAh, an improvement on the 3,687mAh seen on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The jump in battery capacity for each model in the iPhone 13 series does suggest you can use the flagship devices for much longer before seeking out an external socket for a charge. However, the battery juice you get differs with models, excluding the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro that have a similar battery capacity.
Pricing
Apple attempts to upstage the competition for its iPhone 13 in one area: pricing. The iPhone 13 lineup won’t be seeing a major jump in price. The starting price for the iPhone 13 is $699. And this comes with significant improvements over the iPhone 12 in storage and camera capacity.
Verdict
So that is the iPhone 13 review we bring you in this post. The iPhone 13 is an upgrade on the iPhone 12, especially for the entry-level flagship variants. Yet, there isn’t a world of changes that might warrant making that upgrade. If anything, both the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13 are the winners in this latest iPhone lineup.
Related: