iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro: A Comprehensive Comparison

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are both fantastic smartphones, but cater to slightly different users. The standard iPhone 13 offers excellent value and performance, while the 13 Pro boasts a more advanced camera system and a brighter display. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro wins overall thanks to its superior display brightness, more versatile camera system (including telephoto lens and ProRes video), and slightly more premium build. However, the iPhone 13 remains a compelling choice for those prioritizing value and don't need the Pro's extra features.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13 Pro
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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2638, A2639, A2640
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 Sub6/mmWave - A26331, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2638, A2639
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, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2634, A26351, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2636
Launch
Announced2021, September 142021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, stainless steel 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
Weight174 g (6.14 oz)204 g (7.20 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, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 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 (4-core graphics)Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
OSiOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB 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", 1.0µm-
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)
Triple-12 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, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 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 3240 mAh (12.41 Wh)Li-Ion 3095 mAh (12.11 Wh)
Misc
ColorsStarlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Red, GreenGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
ModelsA2633, A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, iphone14,5A2638, A2483, A2636, A2639, A2640, iPhone14,2
Price€ 304.00 / $ 249.97 / £ 248.00€ 398.00 / $ 365.86 / £ 300.00
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)1.20 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 89h Endurance rating 85h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.5 LUFS (Very good) -24.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 775519 (v9) GeekBench: 4645 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 794348 (v9) GeekBench: 4687 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13

  • Excellent value
  • Powerful A15 Bionic chip
  • Great camera system
  • Long battery life
  • Compact and comfortable design

  • Lower peak brightness than Pro
  • No telephoto lens
  • No ProRes video
  • 60Hz display refresh rate

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

  • Brighter display (1063 nits)
  • Telephoto lens for optical zoom
  • Macro lens for close-up shots
  • ProRes video recording
  • ProMotion 120Hz display
  • Premium stainless steel design

  • Higher price
  • Slightly shorter battery life than iPhone 13
  • Larger and heavier than iPhone 13

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro's display shines with a significantly higher peak brightness of 1063 nits compared to the iPhone 13's 802 nits. This makes the Pro noticeably better in bright sunlight. Both offer excellent color accuracy and a smooth 60Hz refresh rate. The Pro also features ProMotion, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz for even smoother scrolling and animations, though this is a key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

This is where the iPhone 13 Pro truly stands out. While both phones capture excellent photos and videos, the Pro adds a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a macro lens for close-up shots, and ProRes video recording for professional-grade video. The Pro also generally captures slightly better low-light images. The iPhone 13 has a great dual-camera system, but the Pro offers more versatility.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, so performance is virtually identical in everyday tasks and demanding games. You won't notice a significant difference in speed or responsiveness. The A15 Bionic is incredibly powerful, handling anything you throw at it with ease.

Battery Life

The iPhone 13 boasts a slightly better endurance rating (89h) compared to the iPhone 13 Pro (85h), suggesting slightly longer real-world battery life. However, the difference is minimal and both phones should easily last a full day of moderate use.

Buying Guide

The iPhone 13 is ideal for everyday users who want a reliable, fast, and capable smartphone without breaking the bank. It's perfect for social media, casual photography, and general productivity. The iPhone 13 Pro is best suited for photography enthusiasts, videographers, and users who demand the absolute best display quality and a more premium experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 13 Pro worth the extra money?
It depends on your needs. If you're a serious photographer or videographer, the Pro's advanced camera system and ProRes video recording are worth the investment. Otherwise, the iPhone 13 offers excellent value for most users.
❓ What is ProMotion and why does it matter?
ProMotion is Apple's adaptive refresh rate technology that dynamically adjusts the display's refresh rate up to 120Hz. This results in smoother scrolling, animations, and overall a more responsive feel.