Are you aware of the upgrade’s difference? We are comparing Apple phones with the iPhone 13 in the last five years.
The iPhone 13 lineup, which comprises the $699 (£679, AU$1,849) iPhone 13 Mini, $799 iPhone 13, $999 iPhone 13 Pro, and $1,099 iPhone 13 Pro Max, was introduced by Apple last week. Preorders for the phones began on Friday, and they will begin shipping on September 24. With the debut of the iPhone 13, Apple gadget owners are faced with a major decision: Should I upgrade? There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and buying decisions will always be influenced by money, current phone functionality, and personal requirements.
Apple’s iPhone 13 improves camera performance, battery life, and overall performance.
We haven’t yet had a chance to test the iPhone 13, so you’ll have to wait for our comprehensive review. However, based on what we know, we can make some assumptions about what the iPhone 13 will bring to the table.
The short answer is that most iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 owners can probably forego the upgrade because their phones are still in good shape and there isn’t anything that changes the experience significantly.
However, owners of older iPhone models, particularly the iPhone XS and before, would likely benefit greatly in terms of camera functionality and battery life. When iOS 15 comes on September 20, older iPhones going back to the iPhone 6S generation will be able to run it, but they won’t feel as speedy or powerful as newer iPhone models.
Take a look at how the iPhone 13 stacks up against its predecessors.
13 versus 12 Pro iPhone
The iPhone 12 is in purple.
There’s no incentive to upgrade if you have an iPhone 12 right now. That’s because the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13 have a lot in common. Both support 5G, offer a bright OLED 6.1-inch screen, a quick processor, excellent cameras, and MagSafe accessory support. The camera upgrades — notably for taking video — and the improved battery life are the two most compelling reasons to upgrade.
All of Apple’s new iPhones, including the normal iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, will come with Cinematic mode, which automatically adjusts the focus between subjects to give footage a more filmlike look. For individuals who routinely use their phones for video projects, it appears to be a useful approach. Apple claims that Cinematic mode takes advantage of the new A15 Bionic chip, although it’s worth noting that Apple has a history of using software updates to deliver improvements like this to older iPhones.
Everything we saw at Apple’s September presentation, including the iPhone 13, the new iPad Mini, and more
The large camera in the basic versions can also be used to improve results and the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini inherit the sensor shifting technology of iPhone 12 Pro Max for improved stability. The new function called Photographic Styles is introduced by Apple which permits users to apply particular preferences in images throughout a scene. Apple argues that the filter is distinct since it can make the correct modifications to ensure that elements such as the skin tone are accurately maintained.
Apple’s major photography upgrades are seen on the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, as is customary. Night mode is available on all three rear camera lenses, including the telephoto lens, and the Pro models can also snap macro images with a focus range of 2 cm. To understand more about the iPhone 13’s camera upgrades, read our entire story.
Apple’s 12-megapixel dual-camera system with wide and ultrawide sensors is still included in the iPhone 12, while the iPhone 12 Proline includes Apple’s 12-megapixel triple-lens arrangement with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto cameras. Apart from the unique capabilities accessible solely on the iPhone 13 family stated above, most of the camera functions are identical between generations.
In comparison to the A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chipset offers quicker speeds and longer battery life. The iPhone 13 will last about 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12, while the iPhone 13 Mini will last 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Mini. The iPhone 13 Pro has a 1.5-hour greater battery life than the iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 2.5-hour longer battery life than its predecessor.
The iPhone 13’s base model comes with 128GB of storage instead of 64GB, while the normal model goes up to 512GB instead of 256GB. The iPhone 13 Pro has a storage capacity of up to 1TB, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro has a storage capacity of only 512GB.
Bottom line: If you truly want to create cinematic films or macro images with your iPhone and need more battery life, stick with the iPhone 12 for now.
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 is a smartphone that was released in 2011.
Because the iPhone 11 is only two years old, it’s likely still functioning nicely for the majority of users and has plenty of life remaining in it. You’ll be missing out on two key upgrades: 5G support and improved cameras.
Regardless, the iPhone 11 has a terrific camera that is ideal for casual photographers who want to take photographs of their dogs, children, and holidays. contains a 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide main camera system, comparable to the iPhone 13, with Night mode and Deep Fusion, an image processing method Apple first introduced on the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max’s 12-megapixel triple-lens camera has wide, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses.
Photo enthusiasts, on the other hand, will like the iPhone 13’s enhanced functionality, particularly when it comes to video. There’s the aforementioned Cinematic mode, as well as features like Night mode time-lapse for films and Dolby Vision HDR video recording that were added to the iPhone 12 last year. The main camera has photographic styles, sensor-based picture stabilization, and a sensor that can capture more light.
In comparison to the iPhone 12 and 13, the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro lack 5G compatibility, although this isn’t a compelling reason to upgrade right now. 5G networks are just minimally better than 4G LTE networks, and there aren’t many apps or services that would benefit from quicker speeds in the first place.
If you’re in the market for a new phone, a 5G model is a fantastic choice because it’s already the industry standard and will ensure that your phone can support the network as speeds grow in the future. However, it shouldn’t be the main reason you update, and you don’t have to purchase a 5G phone right away.
The iPhone 13 also has Apple’s A15 Bionic CPU, whereas the iPhone 11 series has Apple’s two-year-old A13 Bionic chip. The iPhone 11’s processor, while not the most recent, is nevertheless capable of handling common duties such as shooting photos, playing games, and checking social networking apps. The same A13 Bionic chip was also used in Apple’s new entry-level iPad, indicating that the chip is still capable.
When compared to the iPhone 11, the iPhone 13 has two hours more battery life when playing video, support for Apple’s MagSafe accessories, and double the storage space at the base level. According to Apple’s website, the basic iPhone 13’s battery life is comparable to that of the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. During video playing, the iPhone 13 Pro should last four hours longer than the iPhone 11 Pro, and two hours longer than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The iPhone 11 generation also features rounded corners with a glossy pastel finish on the regular model and matte coating on the Pro variants, as well as Apple’s previous design language. In comparison, the iPhone 12 and later have flatter corners, akin to the iPad Pro, a Ceramic Shield covering that should increase durability, and a gleaming glass back.
Finally: Most folks can probably get another year out of their iPhone 11 or 11 Pro. Upgrades may be beneficial for videographers and photographers who require better cameras, longer battery life, and more storage for their projects.
XS, XS Max, XR and iPhone 13 vs iPhone XS
If you have an iPhone XS from 2018, it may be worthwhile to upgrade to the iPhone 13. Because the iPhone XS is almost three years old, it may be starting to feel slow. It also has a lower battery life and lacks key photography functions such as Night Mode and a higher-resolution selfie camera.
Owners of the iPhone XS Max should follow the same recommendations, as the major difference between this phone and its smaller sister is screen size and an hour of increased battery life. If you own an iPhone XR, there’s an even stronger case for upgrading. It’s almost identical to the iPhone XS, save for the single-lens camera. a 6.1-inch LCD panel rather than a 5.8-inch OLED screen, and brighter color selections
For individuals who don’t care about having the fastest processor or the finest camera, the iPhone XS can suffice. Even if you fit that description, the performance and battery life improvements between the iPhone 13 and iPhone XS are likely to seem like a significant upgrade. Between generations, or even two generations, or phone updates, there isn’t usually a substantial bump in performance and battery life. However, once you’ve been married for three years, you’ll see a significant difference.
During movie playback, for example, the iPhone XS is expected to last 14 hours, while the iPhone 13 is expected to last 19 hours. Even the iPhone 13 Mini, with an estimated 17-hour battery life, is projected to outlast the iPhone XS. The iPhone XS is powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chip, which is still relatively fast and was also used in the entry-level iPad last year. However, now that Apple has upgraded its cheapest iPad to the A13 Bionic, it appears like Apple is phasing out that chip, which means it may be starting to feel a little slow.
Aside from performance and battery life, the iPhone 13 offers a slew of new features. It has Apple’s new dual-lens camera system, which includes an ultrawide camera instead of a telephoto camera, a wide camera lens with a larger aperture than the iPhone XS’ for capturing more light, Night mode, Deep Fusion, a higher-resolution 12-megapixel selfie camera instead of the iPhone XS’ 7-megapixel front camera, and all of the other camera upgrades previously mentioned.
That’s just the camera, by the way. Not to mention 5G capability, increased storage, compatibility with Apple’s MagSafe accessories, a larger and brighter screen, and Apple’s new flat-edged design.
Finally, It’s time to make a change. You’ll notice an improvement in almost every aspect of your phone, including speed, camera performance, display quality, connectivity, battery life, and design.
Related:
- Buy a ‘free’ iPhone 13 with trade-in at Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T: What you need to know
- Should you upgrade to iPhone 13? We compare to iPhone 12 through iPhone 7 to find out
- iPhone 13 is missing 5 useful features you can get on Android phones
The iPhone 13 vs. the iPhone X
The iPhone X of Apple.
If you have an iPhone X, you can trust upgrades to the iPhone 13. This phone was launched in 2017 and falls back a lot in terms of speed, battery life, and camera characteristics.
Let’s begin with the show. The iPhone X works on a far older four-year-old A11 Bionic CPU, while the A15 Bionic Apple Processor runs the iPhone 13 Pro. The A11 chip, which features only a two-core brain engine compared to the 16-core neural engine of the A15 Bionic is well ahead.
The iPhone’s brain engine is what drives machine learning and artificial intelligence, which are becoming an increasing component of the iPhone experience. Things like the App Library App suggestions and the Apple Translate App are dependent on machine learning that shows that the iPhone X has difficulty keeping up with newer functions.
In addition to Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and the option to regulate portrait depth and bubbles in the mode, the iPhone X also sports a twin-lens camera comparable to that of the iPhone XS. As for the XS iPhone, Only a 7-megapixel front camera is available in Apple’s latest phones as opposed to a 12-megapixel selfie.
The four-year-old Apple iPhone also has a shorter lifetime, with Apple projecting that video playback time should endure for 13 hours compared with 19 hours on the iPhone 13. The 6.1 inch iPhone 13 is bigger than the 5.8-inch display for iPhone X and should also be lighter as it can achieve a maximum luminosity of 800 nits compared with the 625-nit iPhone X display.
Apple’s latest phones also have better audio, with devices like the iPhone 13 supporting Dolby Atmos and spatial audio, whereas the iPhone X only has stereo playback. That’s definitely not a deal-breaker, but if you watch a lot of video on your phone without headphones, it could be a significant concern.
On the iPhone 13, there’s also the bonus of 5G support, additional storage space, a new design, and the ability to use MagSafe accessories.
Finally, The iPhone X is now four years old, so upgrading to this year’s phones will be significant. In comparison to this phone, the A11 Bionic CPU is definitely starting to seem slow, and the iPhone 13 offers significant improvements in photography performance, machine learning processing, and battery life.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 8, and 8 plus
The iPhone 8 is the latest model.
Apple’s historical iPhone design is included in the iPhone 8 generation, which is appropriate for a phone that is now four years old. If you have an iPhone 8 and are thinking about upgrading, there are a lot of good reasons to do so.
Many of the same reasons apply to why you should upgrade from an iPhone X. Because the processor is ancient, newer iPhone capabilities that rely on machine learning may be more difficult to utilize. The cameras are obsolete and lack features like Night mode (the smaller iPhone 8 also lacks Portrait mode due to its single lens). You’ll gain additional storage, a considerably longer battery life, a 5G connection, and MagSafe attachments if you upgrade.
The most significant difference, though, is in the iPhone 8’s design, which is far more than a cosmetic enhancement. Touch ID is replaced with Face ID on phones with Apple’s more modern edge-to-edge screen, which allows you to unlock your phone and authenticate payments simply by looking at it. If you prefer Touch ID to Face ID, especially since using Face ID while wearing a mask is problematic, you should at least consider upgrading to the iPhone SE, which has a much newer chipset.
When you upgrade to the iPhone 13, you’ll also notice a significant increase in display size and quality. Because newer phones, such as the iPhone 13, don’t have a home button, Apple has more flexibility to increase the screen size without making the gadget feel bulky. Despite the device’s smaller size, the iPhone 13’s screen is larger than the iPhone 8 Plus’ 5.5-inch screen. I recently upgraded from an iPhone 8 (which has a 4.7-inch screen) to an iPhone 12 (which has a 6.1-inch screen) and can tell you that it is far more comfortable to read, check email, and watch movies on.
Because it uses OLED display technology rather than LCD, the screen is not only larger but also more colorful and has superior contrast.
Finally, The iPhone 13 is a significant upgrade over the iPhone 8. The considerably larger and bolder screen, Face ID, the faster processor, the longer battery life, and, of course, the significantly enhanced cameras will all make this phone seem fast and new. However, if you absolutely want a newer iPhone with the same design as the iPhone 8, you can trade up to the current iPhone SE.
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus
The iPhone 7.
Everything from the processor to the camera and storage space demonstrates that the iPhone 7 is a five-year-old phone. It’s time to upgrade if you have an iPhone 7.
The iPhone 7 is powered by an older A10 Fusion processor that lacks a neural engine and is several years behind Apple’s most recent technologies. The iPhone 7 has a single-lens camera with no Portrait mode, whereas the iPhone 7 Plus has two. However, several recent capabilities such as Night mode and Portrait Lighting, which add particular lighting effects to your photos, are still missing from such cameras.
The iPhone 7 series, like the iPhone 8, has Touch ID and is available in 4.7- and 5.5-inch screen sizes. However, because the iPhone 7 is a year older than the iPhone 8, it lacks wireless charging, requiring you to plug it in to charge and preventing you from using a charging pad.
If you’ve had an iPhone 7 for a while, it’s likely that it’s bursting at the seams due to the significantly reduced storage space. The iPhone 7’s base model only has 32GB of storage, which is a fourth of the capacity of the cheapest ordinary iPhone 13.
In all of these areas, the iPhone 13 offers significant improvements. The base model sports a 6.1-inch bezel-free screen that is larger, bolder, and brighter yet still feels compact due to the lack of a home button. It’s powered by Apple’s new A15 Bionic chipset, which is better suited to handling newer iPhone features. It also includes a much enhanced dual-lens camera with a larger sensor and additional capabilities like the new Cinematic movie mode and Night mode. Furthermore, Apple expects that it will provide six hours of improved battery life during video playback, which is a significant increase.
Finally, If you’re still using an iPhone 7, it’s clear that you’re overdue for an upgrade. The iPhone 13 offers a number of improvements over the iPhone 7, including larger, bolder screens, significantly longer battery life, and more powerful cameras. And, as with the iPhone 8, if you absolutely want to preserve the home button and save money on your future phone, the iPhone SE offers many of the most recent performance advancements while maintaining a similar phone aesthetic.
For a closer look at how all of Apple’s iPhones from the last five years compare, see the table below.
iPhone 13 | iPhone 12 | iPhone 11 | iPhone XS | iPhone XR | iPhone X | iPhone 8 | iPhone 7 | |
Size options | 5.4 inches (Mini), 6.1 inches (regular and Pro), and 6.7 inches (Pro Max) | 5.4 inches (Mini), 6.1 inches (regular and Pro), and 6.7 inches (Pro Max) | 6.1 inches (regular), 5.8 inches (Pro), 6.5 inches (Pro Max) | 5.8 inches (XS), 6.5 inches (XS Max) | 6.1 inches | 5.8 inches | 4.7 inches (regular), 5.5 inches (Plus) | 4.7 inches (regular), 5.5 inches (Plus) |
Screen | Super Retina XDR OLED, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (Pro only) | Super Retina XDR OLED | Liquid Retina HD LCD (iPhone 11), Super Retina XDR OLED (Pro and Pro Max) | Super Retina HD OLED | Liquid Retina HD LCD | Super Retina HD OLED | Retina HD LCD | Retina HD LC |
Processor | A15 Bionic | A14 Bionic | A13 Bionic | A12 Bionic | A12 Bionic | A11 Bionic | A11 Bionic | A10 Fusion |
Cellular connectivity | 5G/4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
Cameras | 12MP dual-lens with wide and ultrawide; triple-lens with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto on Pro | 12MP dual-lens with wide and ultrawide; triple-lens with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto on Pro | 12MP dual-lens with wide and ultrawide; triple-lens with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto on Pro | 12MP dual-lens with wide and telephoto | 12MP single wide | 12MP dual-lens with wide and telephoto | 12MP wide camera; dual-lens 12MP with wide and telephoto (Plus) | 12MP wide camera; dual-lens 12MP with wide and telephoto (Plus) |
Camera modes | Night mode, Deep Fusion, ProRAW (Pro only), Portrait mode, (with 6 lighting effects and depth control) Night mode portraits (Pro only), Photographic Styles, Cinematic mode video | Night mode, Deep Fusion, Portrait mode (with 6 lighting effects and depth control), ProRAW (Pro only), Night mode portraits (Pro only) | Night mode, Deep Fusion, Portrait mode (with 6 lighting effects and depth control) | Portrait mode (with 6 lighting effects and depth control) | Portrait mode (with 3 lighting effects and depth control) | Portrait mode (with 5 lighting effects ) | Portrait mode (with 5 lighting effects, Pro only ) | Portrait mode (Plus only) |
Front Camera | 12MP with Portrait mode, Night mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji, Memoji, Cinematic mode, and Photographic Styles | 12MP with Portrait mode, Night mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji, Memoji | 12MP with Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji, Memoji | 7MP with Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji, Memoji | 7MP with Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji, Memoji | 7MP with Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji, Memoji | 7MP | 7MP |
Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (Pro only) | 64GB (regular and Mini only), 128GB, 256GB, 512GB (Pro only) | 64GB, 128GB (iPhone 11 only), 256GB, 512GB (Pro and Pro Max only) | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB | 64GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB | 32GB, 128GB |
Battery life (estimated, video playback) | 19 hours, 22 hours (Pro), 28 hours (Pro Max), 17 hours (Mini) | 17 hours (12 and 12 Pro), 20 hours (Pro Max), 15 hours (Mini) | 17 hours (regular), 18 hours (Pro), 20 hours (Pro Max) | 14 hours (XS), 15 hours (XS Max) | 16 hours | 13 hours | 13 hours (regular), 14 hours (Plus) | 13 hours (regular), 14 hours (Plus) |
Authentication | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID |
Charging support | Lightning cable, wireless chargers, Apple MagSafe charger | Lightning cable, wireless chargers, Apple MagSafe charger | Lightning cable, wireless chargers | Lightning cable, wireless chargers | Lightning cable, wireless chargers | Lightning cable, wireless chargers | Lightning cable, wireless chargers | Lightning cable |