The iPhone 13 launched to much fanfare in September 2021, but fast forward to today and Apple‘s last-gen iPhone is starting to show its age. As Apple gears up to release the highly anticipated iPhone 15 lineup this fall, shoppers in the market for a new iPhone may be tempted by discounts on the iPhone 13. However, there are several good reasons to resist the iPhone 13 and either opt for a newer model like the iPhone 14 or wait for the iPhone 15.
1. Apple No Longer Sells iPhone 13 Pro Models
One of the biggest reasons to avoid buying an iPhone 13 in 2023 is that Apple has discontinued the high-end iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. If you visit Apple‘s website or retail stores today, the only iPhone 13 models still available are the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 and 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini. The Pro models have been replaced by the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
This means that if you want Apple‘s best cameras, biggest screens, and most premium build, you‘re out of luck with the iPhone 13 series. The standard iPhone 13 is still a very capable device, but it lacks many of the marquee features that make the Pro models stand out, like a ProMotion 120Hz display, telephoto zoom lens, and premium stainless steel design. With the iPhone 13 Pro discontinued, the regular iPhone 13 feels overpriced in comparison.
2. The iPhone 14 is a Substantial Upgrade
If you can stretch your budget, the iPhone 14 offers significant upgrades over the iPhone 13 that make it a much more compelling buy in 2023. While it looks nearly identical to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 packs a faster A15 Bionic chip, greatly improved cameras with a larger sensor, Action mode for smoother video, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS via satellite, and better battery life.
The iPhone 14 also starts at $799 for 128GB of storage, the same price as a comparable iPhone 13 when it launched. Apple is still selling the iPhone 13 but has dropped the price to $699. The $100 premium for the iPhone 14 is easily justified given the advanced features and future-proofing it provides. Performance is significantly snappier, photos and videos look better, and crucial safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS could actually save your life.
Unless you‘re on a very tight budget, the iPhone 14 is a no-brainer upgrade over the iPhone 13 that will keep you happy for years to come. It may lack the Dynamic Island and Always-On display of the iPhone 14 Pro, but it beats the iPhone 13 in every other metric that matters.
3. Wait for iPhone 13 Discounts When iPhone 15 Launches
Rumor has it that Apple is planning to keep the iPhone 13 in its lineup even after the iPhone 15 launches in September, but drop the price significantly to $599. This would position it as the new cheapest iPhone, a slot currently occupied by the $429 iPhone SE.
If you‘re on a budget and don‘t mind a previous-gen device, it may be worth waiting until September to pick up an iPhone 13 at a steep discount direct from Apple. At $599, the iPhone 13 would be a fantastic value and more than sufficient for the average user. Even in 2023 it‘s still a very fast phone with excellent cameras and build quality.
However, the best time to buy will likely be during the holiday season in late November when many retailers offer iPhone 13 deals to clear stock before the new models take over. If you can hold off a few more months, your patience will pay off.
4. The Competition Has Caught Up (And Surpassed)
While the iPhone 13 was class-leading when it first launched in 2021, the Android competition has more than caught up in 2023. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 7, and OnePlus 11 match or beat the iPhone 13 in most metrics for around the same price or less.
The Galaxy S23, for example, packs a gorgeous 6.1-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth scrolling and animations. You also get a versatile triple camera array with a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 13‘s dual cameras are still great, but they can‘t match the flexibility of the S23.
Under the hood, the Galaxy S23 boasts Qualcomm‘s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset which outperforms the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 13 and even the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 14 Pro. You also get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage standard, double what the iPhone 13 offers. And with 5G connectivity, the S23 is more future-proof than the LTE-only iPhone 13.
The OnePlus 11 is another excellent alternative to the iPhone 13 that undercuts it on price while offering superior specs in nearly every way. Starting at just $699, the OnePlus 11 gives you a beautiful 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a 50MP main camera with Hasselblad tuning. It even has faster 80W charging via a USB-C port, something Apple is still stubborn to adopt.
5. Questionable Long-Term Software Support
Another reason to think twice about buying an iPhone 13 in 2023 is the question of long-term software support. While Apple is generally much better about supporting older devices with new software updates than Android makers, the iPhone 13 is already two years old which puts it on the back half of its lifespan.
Apple typically supports iPhones for around 5-6 years after launch with major iOS updates. The iPhone 13 launched with iOS 15 and is currently running iOS 16. It will likely get iOS 17 later this year and should be supported through iOS 19 or 20 at the latest. After that point, it may still receive occasional security updates but will be stuck on an outdated version of iOS.
In contrast, a current iPhone 14 or upcoming iPhone 15 will be supported for 2-3 years longer than the iPhone 13 since it‘s starting from a newer baseline. And as Apple introduces more advanced features that require specialized hardware in future iPhones, older models like the iPhone 13 will be increasingly left out. A few key examples…
6. No Emergency SOS via Satellite or Crash Detection
Two of the marquee safety features Apple introduced with the iPhone 14 series are Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection. As the names imply, these allow you to connect to emergency services when you‘re off the grid with no cell signal, and can automatically detect if you‘ve been in a severe car crash and contact emergency responders.
Unfortunately, both of these potentially life-saving features require special hardware like an array of extra antennas that are not present in the iPhone 13. No matter how long Apple continues to support the iPhone 13 with software updates, it will never gain these important safety features. And as Apple introduces more satellite-based features in the future, the iPhone 13 will miss out.
7. Inferior Cameras and Video Recording
Apple smartphones are known for their excellent cameras and the iPhone 13 is no exception. However, the iPhone 14 Pro introduced a massive new 48MP main camera while the iPhone 14 got a larger sensor that captures more light. Both of these cameras produce noticeably better photos and videos than the aging dual 12MP cameras in the iPhone 13, especially in low light.
The iPhone 13 is also limited to 4K video recording at 60fps while newer iPhones can shoot in Cinematic mode, Action mode for smoother video, ProRes, and 8K on the Pro models. ProRAW photos are also exclusive to the Pro iPhones, so you don‘t get the same level of creative control when editing shots later.
Video is one area where the iPhone 13 is especially behind Samsung‘s latest Galaxy S23 series. Samsung offers 8K recording, Director‘s View to record with multiple lenses simultaneously, Single Take to capture photos and videos simultaneously, and other advanced features the iPhone 13 lacks.
8. Stuck With 60Hz Display on iPhone 13
If you opt for the standard iPhone 13, you‘re stuck with a 60Hz display while nearly every Android flagship and Apple‘s own Pro iPhones have moved to 120Hz ProMotion panels. The difference is night and day, with 120Hz displays offering much smoother animations and scrolling.
Going back to a 60Hz display in 2023 feels like a major downgrade, and Apple isn‘t likely to update the iPhone 13 with a faster refresh rate after the fact. For the best visual experience, you‘re better off with an iPhone 14 Pro or any number of 120Hz Android phones like the Galaxy S23 or Pixel 7 Pro.
9. Slowest Charging Speeds
iPhones have never been known for fast charging, but the iPhone 13 is especially pokey by 2023 standards. It only supports 20W wired charging via the ancient Lightning port, which takes over an hour to fully charge the battery. There‘s also no USB-C port despite the rest of the industry standardizing on it years ago, so you‘re stuck buying specialized Lightning cables.
Android phones are lightyears ahead when it comes to charging speeds. The OnePlus 11, for example, can fully charge its 5,000 mAh battery in just 25 minutes with its 80W SuperVOOC charger. Even the Galaxy S23 with its 25W charger can outpace the iPhone 13, juicing up from 0 to 50% in half an hour.
Until Apple gets with the times and adopts USB-C, which is rumored to happen with the iPhone 15, iPhones will continue to be among the slowest charging smartphones on the market. And the iPhone 13 is currently the slowest of them all.
10. Performance Already Feels Dated
While the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 13 is still a very snappy chip, it‘s already outclassed by the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 14 Pro and even more so by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the latest Android flagships. Apps are a beat slower to open, graphics aren‘t as sharp in games, and the camera takes longer to process images than on newer devices.
In day-to-day use you may not notice a huge difference, but there‘s no denying that the iPhone 13‘s performance is a step behind in 2023. Even the A14 Bionic in the iPhone 12 feels a tad zippier, and that chip is already two years old. The 4GB of RAM doesn‘t help matters either as many Android phones now ship with 8-12GB standard.
If you plan on keeping your next iPhone for several years, it‘s worth getting the latest model with the fastest internals to future-proof your purchase. The iPhone 13‘s A15 isn‘t sluggish by any means, but it will start to feel increasingly long in the tooth as more demanding apps and features are released in the coming years that take advantage of newer, beefier chips.
Alternatives to the iPhone 13 in 2023
So if the iPhone 13 isn‘t worth buying, what should you get instead? If you‘re intent on sticking with iOS, the iPhone 14 is the clear choice. It offers improved performance, cameras, battery life, and safety features for not much more money. The iPhone 14 Pro is even better if you can swing the higher price tag, with a Dynamic Island, Always-On display, 48MP main camera, and better build quality.
On the Android side of things, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is the biggest threat to Apple‘s dominance. It has a sleeker design, superior display, more versatile cameras, faster charging, and a more customizable software experience. It‘s also frequently on sale for hundreds less than a comparable iPhone 14.
If you‘re on a tighter budget, the Google Pixel 7 delivers one of the best camera experiences on any smartphone as well as speedy performance, frequent Android updates, and unique features you won‘t find anywhere else. And it starts at just $599, undercutting the base iPhone 14 by $200.
Finally, if battery life is your top concern, the OnePlus 11 is an absolute endurance champ that can last for two days on a single charge. With a gigantic 5,000 mAh battery and 80W fast charging, it addresses the two biggest downsides of the iPhone 13 while giving you a top-tier Android experience for hundreds less.
Final Thoughts
Despite being discounted in 2023, the iPhone 13 is a tough sell compared to the newer iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models as well as the latest Android flagships. With slower performance, inferior cameras, missing safety features, and questionable long-term support, you‘re better off waiting for steeper iPhone 13 discounts this fall or opting for a different device entirely.
The iPhone 14 offers substantial upgrades for not much more money, while the iPhone 14 Pro feels like a generational leap with its Dynamic Island, Always-On Display, and 48MP camera. And with the iPhone 15 on the horizon, the iPhone 13 faces the danger of feeling even more outdated as we approach the holiday shopping season.
Unless you have the tightest of budgets and find an iPhone 13 for an absolute steal, it‘s worth eyeing one of the many superior alternatives we‘ve outlined as your next smartphone. With how far the competition has come, it‘s never been a better time to venture outside the iOS ecosystem to see what else is out there.
