iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 13: A Comprehensive Comparison

Apple's iPhone 13 series offered incredible value, but the Pro model promised even more. Deciding between the iPhone 13 Pro and the standard iPhone 13 can be tricky. This in-depth comparison will dissect every aspect, from the display and camera to performance and battery life, to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro offers a brighter display, more advanced camera features (like ProRes video and macro photography), and a slightly more premium build. However, the iPhone 13 delivers excellent performance, impressive battery life, and a more affordable price point. For most users, the iPhone 13 provides exceptional value.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Apple iPhone 13
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2638, A2639, A26401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2633, A2634, A2635
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2638, A26391, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 Sub6/mmWave - A2633
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A26361, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2634, A2635
Launch
Announced2021, September 142021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)174 g (6.14 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCeramic Shield glass
Resolution1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSiOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.9", 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), PDAF, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.8, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)-
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportUltra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 updateWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Ion 3095 mAh (12.11 Wh)Li-Ion 3240 mAh (12.41 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenStarlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Red, Green
ModelsA2638, A2483, A2636, A2639, A2640, iPhone14,2A2633, A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, iphone14,5
Price€ 398.00 / $ 365.86 / £ 300.00€ 304.00 / $ 249.97 / £ 248.00
SAR1.20 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 85h Endurance rating 89h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.9 LUFS (Very good) -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 794348 (v9) GeekBench: 4687 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 775519 (v9) GeekBench: 4645 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

  • Brighter Display
  • ProRes Video Recording
  • Macro Photography
  • Premium Build Quality
  • Slightly Better Low-Light Camera Performance

  • Higher Price
  • Slightly Shorter Battery Life (compared to iPhone 13)

Apple iPhone 13

  • More Affordable
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Powerful Performance
  • Great Camera

  • Less Bright Display
  • Lacks Pro Camera Features (ProRes, Macro)

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1063 nits compared to the iPhone 13's 802 nits. This difference is noticeable, especially in direct sunlight. Both phones feature excellent color accuracy and a smooth 60Hz refresh rate. The 'ProMotion' technology (adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz) is exclusive to the Pro models, offering a more fluid scrolling experience, but the standard iPhone 13 is still very smooth.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro's camera system is the key differentiator. It features a triple-lens setup with larger sensors and improved low-light performance. ProRes video recording is a significant advantage for professional videographers. Macro photography is also available on the Pro. The iPhone 13 still captures excellent photos and videos, but lacks the advanced features of the Pro.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, ensuring blazing-fast performance for any task. While the Pro models *technically* have an extra GPU core, the real-world performance difference in everyday usage is minimal. Both phones handle demanding games and applications with ease.

Battery Life

The iPhone 13 edges out the iPhone 13 Pro slightly in endurance testing, with an 89h rating compared to 85h. However, the difference is marginal and both phones offer all-day battery life for most users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro? Photography enthusiasts, videographers, and users who demand the absolute best display quality and a more premium feel. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13? Users seeking a powerful, reliable smartphone with excellent battery life and a great camera, all at a more accessible price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the extra GPU core in the iPhone 13 Pro noticeable?
In most everyday tasks, the extra GPU core in the iPhone 13 Pro won't be significantly noticeable. It primarily benefits demanding games and professional applications.
❓ Does the iPhone 13 Pro support MagSafe?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 support MagSafe wireless charging.
❓ What is ProRes video recording?
ProRes is a high-quality video codec used by professional filmmakers. The iPhone 13 Pro allows users to record videos in ProRes format, offering greater flexibility in post-production.