iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Apple's iPhone lineup consistently sets the standard for smartphones. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 are both excellent devices, but deciding between them can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will dissect every aspect, from display quality to camera capabilities, to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 offers marginal improvements over the iPhone 13, primarily in slightly better battery life and a slightly brighter display. However, the iPhone 13 remains a fantastic value, especially considering its lower price. For most users, the iPhone 13 provides an exceptional experience without the premium cost.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 14 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 - A2882, A28841, 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, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2882, A28841, 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, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A28831, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2634, A2635
Launch
Announced2022, September 072021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 16Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight172 g (6.07 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, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 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 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 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, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF 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
Bluetooth5.3, 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) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)Ultra 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 3279 mAh (12.68 Wh)Li-Ion 3240 mAh (12.41 Wh)
Misc
ColorsMidnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, YellowStarlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Red, Green
ModelsA2882, A2649, A2881, A2884, A2883, iphone14,7A2633, A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, iphone14,5
Price€ 344.00 / $ 277.58 / £ 300.00 / ₹ 64,900€ 304.00 / $ 249.97 / £ 248.00
SAR1.15 W/kg (head)     1.16 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 90h Endurance rating 89h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 817125 (v9) GeekBench: 4761 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 775519 (v9) GeekBench: 4645 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 14

  • Slightly brighter display
  • Improved low-light camera performance
  • Marginally better battery life
  • Autofocus on front camera

  • Higher price
  • Minimal performance upgrade over iPhone 13

Apple iPhone 13

  • Excellent value for money
  • Powerful A15 Bionic chip
  • Stunning Super Retina XDR display
  • Great camera system

  • Slightly less bright display than iPhone 14
  • No autofocus on front camera

Display Comparison

Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 feature a stunning 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. The iPhone 14 boasts a slightly higher peak brightness of 804 nits compared to the iPhone 13's 802 nits, but the difference is barely noticeable in real-world use. Both offer excellent color accuracy and sharpness. The contrast ratio is essentially infinite (nominal) for both.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 14 features a slightly larger sensor in the main camera, allowing for improved low-light performance. Both phones offer excellent video recording capabilities, with Cinematic mode and ProRes video recording (on higher storage models). The front-facing camera on the iPhone 14 has autofocus, a welcome addition for selfies and video calls. Overall, both cameras are exceptional, but the iPhone 14 has a slight edge in low-light scenarios.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, ensuring blazing-fast performance for any task. While the iPhone 14 has a slightly tweaked A15 with an extra GPU core (in the standard model, not Pro), the difference in everyday performance is minimal. Expect smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and effortless app usage on both devices.

Battery Life

The iPhone 14 has a marginally better endurance rating (90h) compared to the iPhone 13 (89h). While this difference is small, it translates to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage. Both phones support 15W wireless charging (MagSafe and Qi2 - requires iOS 17.2 update) and offer fast wired charging with PD 2.0 (50% in 30 minutes).

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPhone 14? Users seeking the absolute latest features, a slightly brighter screen, and a tiny bump in battery life might justify the upgrade. Who should buy the iPhone 13? Budget-conscious buyers, those satisfied with the iPhone 13's performance, and anyone looking for a premium smartphone experience at a more accessible price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 worth the upgrade from an iPhone 13?
For most users, the upgrade isn't significant enough to justify the higher price. The iPhone 13 remains a fantastic phone with excellent performance and features.
❓ What is the difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 cameras?
The iPhone 14 has a slightly larger sensor in the main camera, resulting in improved low-light performance. The front camera on the iPhone 14 also features autofocus.