At the California Streaming event in September 2021, Apple launched not one, two, or three new iPhones, but four new iPhones. These are the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, Pro, and Pro Max.
Here, we’ll take a deep dive at everything you need to know about the brand new devices.
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini
What’s the Same?
As per most new phone releases, the lower-end iPhone 13 models recycle some features from the previous year’s models. On the base iPhone 13 models, you can find 5G cellular connectivity, and the same display size and form-factor as the iPhone 12 line-up.
Specs
The cheaper iPhone 13 models still come with impressive specs. Both devices feature Apple’s latest A15 processor, and start at 128 GB of storage.
When it comes to battery life, Apple promises a bigger battery, and therefore a longer-lasting one. Hopefully, the extra battery power will resolve user complaints about poor battery performance in the same models from the iPhone 12 line-up.
Camera
The iPhone 13 and 13 mini come with a slightly different camera layout to the iPhone 12 series. Rather than both lenses above one another, you’ll find the cameras diagonally positioned across the bump.
Apple has given the devices the most advanced dual-camera system ever and a new wide-angle camera, the phones can capture more light with a wider aperture, and also bring Sensor Shift optical image stabilization from the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
With the new camera technology, you'll find a new Cinematic mode for rack shots and better focus control in video. There's also a Photographic styles feature to personalize your photos, with default styles emphasizing different parts of your photos.
Colors
As rumors correctly predicted, the iPhone 13 and 13 mini come with some more colorful options than the previous line-up.
Both devices are available in a new blue and pink color, with white, red, and black options available as well. The wider choice for color certainly reminds us of the iPhone 5C from way back in 2013.
With a new range of leather and silicon cases as well, there's no end to the color options you have with the basic iPhone 13 models.
Price
The iPhone 13 and 13 mini are priced exactly the same as the iPhone 12 equivalent devices.
iPhone 13 mini retails for $699, and the slightly more expensive iPhone 13 retails for $799. The two devices are the cheapest in the iPhone 13 line-up, and the perfect entry-level devices to the series.
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
What’s the Same?
Just like with the lower-end models, the more premium iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max devices recycle some features from the previous year’s models.
On the higher-end iPhone 13 models, you can once again find 5G cellular connectivity, and the same display size and form-factor as the iPhone 12 line-up.
Specs
Both of the premium iPhone 13 models come with impressive specs, as you’d suggest. Both devices feature Apple’s latest A15 processor, and start at 128 GB of storage. These devices max out at a much higher storage option of 1 TB, which is never-before seen on an iPhone.
When it comes to battery life, Apple again promises a bigger battery, and therefore a longer-lasting one. Both Pro devices have a bigger battery than the lower-end devices anyway, but with battery improvements from the iPhone 12 line-up, you’ll struggle to beat battery performance on these devices.
Display
The more premium Pro models are packed with some more exciting new display features. Both devices come with a smoother 120Hz display called ProMotion, just like the iPad Pro.
Many Android phones have had 120Hz displays for a while now, and rumors suggested last year’s iPhones would have the feature to.
Now that the feature is finally here, you can expect smoother and quicker motion on the display, making your content look much better than before. The feature will also adapt to what you're doing on your device, to optimize battery life.
Camera
The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max both come with a much larger camera bump than before. While still in the same layout, the cameras are noticeably bigger than the previous year’s models.
With the bigger camera bump, you'll find some big improvements to the cameras under the hood, including better low-light photos on each of the lenses.
The Pro models come with the same Cinematic mode and Photographic style features as the baseline devices, but also features a new ProRes video option as of fall 2021. ProRes video is the equivalent of ProRAW photos, and allows higher quality videos in a codec designed for Final Cut Pro.
Most impressively, the Pro devices come with a new macrophotography feature. This lets you take super close-up photos of objects, without a dedicated extra lens.
Colors
As rumors correctly predicted, the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max come with some slightly more colorful options than the previous years’ line-up.
While certainly not as colorful as the base models, the Pro devices introduce some slightly tweaked colors, and a new blue option. This gives customers slightly more options when it comes to customizing their brand new device.
Price
The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are priced exactly the same as the iPhone 12 equivalent devices.
iPhone 13 Pro retails for $999, and the slightly more expensive iPhone 13 Pro Max retails for $1,099. The two devices are the most expensive in the iPhone 13 line-up, and the perfect professional-level devices to the series.
Will You Upgrade to the iPhone 13?
With brand new features, and much anticipated performance upgrades, it might be worth considering upgrading to the new models.
While there isn’t anything drastically different than the 12 line-up, users with older iPhones can expect some fairly big changes.