iPhone 13 vs iPhone 11: A Comprehensive Comparison

Apple's iPhone lineup offers a range of options, and the iPhone 13 and iPhone 11 remain popular choices. Both deliver a premium experience, but significant differences exist. This guide breaks down the key distinctions to help you determine which phone best suits your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 offers a noticeable upgrade in performance, camera capabilities, and display brightness. However, the iPhone 11 remains a compelling option, especially for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and still want a reliable iOS experience. The iPhone 13 is the overall winner, but the iPhone 11 provides excellent value.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 11
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 - A2633, A2634, A26351, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2221
5G bands1, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2634, A26351, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2111, A2223
Launch
Announced2021, September 142019, September 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2019, September 20
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame (7000 series)
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight174 g (6.14 oz)194 g (6.84 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassScratch-resistant glass
Resolution1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSiOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual12 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", 1.0µm12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6"
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)-
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, 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, 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 Wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Ion 3240 mAh (12.41 Wh)Li-Ion 3110 mAh, non-removable (11.91 Wh)
Misc
ColorsStarlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Red, GreenBlack, Green, Yellow, Purple, Red, White
ModelsA2633, A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, iphone14,5A2221, A2111, A2223, iPhone12,1
Price€ 304.00 / $ 249.97 / £ 248.00$ 167.50 / C$ 228.68 / £ 175.00 / € 193.32
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)1.09 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.95 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Pricing
128GB 4GB RAM-$ 359.95
256GB 4GB RAM-$ 469.99
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 292.79
RENEWED-£ 214.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -94.2dB / Crosstalk -80.8dB
Battery life Endurance rating 89h Endurance rating 94h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.5 LUFS (Very good) Voice 70dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 76dB
Performance AnTuTu: 775519 (v9) GeekBench: 4645 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 419453 (v7) GeekBench: 13882 (v4.4) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13

  • Faster A15 Bionic Chip
  • Brighter Display
  • Improved Camera (especially video)
  • Sensor-Shift Stabilization
  • Cinematic Mode
  • Photographic Styles
  • Slightly more compact design

  • Higher Price
  • Slightly lower battery endurance rating

Apple iPhone 11

  • Lower Price
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Still a capable camera
  • Reliable iOS experience

  • Slower A13 Bionic Chip
  • Less Bright Display
  • Older Camera Technology
  • Larger Notch

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 802 nits compared to the iPhone 11's 644 nits. While both offer excellent contrast ratios (Infinite for iPhone 13, 1505:1 for iPhone 11), the iPhone 13's increased brightness makes it easier to view content outdoors. The iPhone 13 also features a smaller notch.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 13 features sensor-shift stabilization, Cinematic mode for video recording, and generally improved image processing. While the iPhone 11's camera is still capable, the iPhone 13 delivers noticeably better photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions. The iPhone 13 also has Photographic Styles.

Performance

The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 provides a substantial performance boost over the A13 Bionic in the iPhone 11. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The iPhone 13's 5nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The iPhone 11 edges out the iPhone 13 slightly in endurance rating (94h vs 89h), but real-world usage will vary. Both phones offer all-day battery life for most users. The iPhone 13 benefits from faster charging speeds (wired and wireless).

Buying Guide

The iPhone 13 is ideal for users who demand the latest technology, a faster processor, improved camera quality (especially video), and a brighter display. It's a great choice for content creators and those who want future-proofing. The iPhone 11 is perfect for users on a tighter budget who still want a solid iPhone experience with a great camera and excellent battery life. It's a reliable daily driver for everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 13 worth the upgrade from the iPhone 11?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a brighter display, then yes. However, if you're happy with your iPhone 11's performance and battery life, the upgrade might not be essential.
❓ Which iPhone has better battery life?
The iPhone 11 has a slightly higher endurance rating, but both offer all-day battery life for most users.
❓ What are the key camera differences?
The iPhone 13 has sensor-shift stabilization, Cinematic mode, Photographic Styles, and generally improved image processing, resulting in better photos and videos, especially in low light.
❓ How much RAM do each of these phones have?
Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 11 come with 4GB of RAM.