When Apple launched the iPhone 13 in September 2021, it delivered a well rounded package that appealed to both casual users and enthusiasts. It brought noticeable improvements in performance with the A15 Bionic chip, better battery life, and enhanced camera features all while keeping the design familiar and user-friendly. The introduction of 128GB as the new base storage, combined with software longevity and excellent build quality, helped the iPhone 13 earn its place as a mainstream favorite. Its sleek flat edge design, vibrant OLED display, and all-day battery made it one of the most balanced smartphones in Apple’s lineup at the time.
Fast forward to 2025, and despite the release of newer models like the iPhone 15, 15 Pro, and the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 13 still holds strong relevance in Apple’s ecosystem. Thanks to continued iOS updates, solid hardware, and its place in the refurbished and mid-tier market, it remains a top choice for those who want a reliable iPhone without paying flagship prices. Many budget-conscious buyers, students, and even first time iPhone users are still considering the iPhone 13 for its consistent performance and excellent value. In this full review and buyer’s guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the iPhone 13’s design, display, performance, camera, software support, battery life, and more to help you decide if it’s still a smart investment in 2025.
iPhone 13 – design and build quality
The iPhone 13’s design continues to hold up remarkably well in 2025, thanks to its minimalist aesthetic and solid build quality. It features a flat edge aluminum frame, a durable Ceramic Shield front, and a sleek glass back that give it a premium feel in the hand. Measuring just 7.65mm thick and weighing 174g, the phone is both slim and lightweight, making it comfortable for one-handed use without feeling fragile. Despite its age, it doesn’t feel out of place next to more recent smartphones, especially when paired with a modern case or screen protector.
While the overall design closely resembles the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 introduced a slightly smaller notch, which gives the display a bit more breathing room. It doesn’t have the Dynamic Island cutout found on the iPhone 14 Pro or 15 Pro models, but the Face ID system remains just as fast, secure, and accurate as ever. The device retains its IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, offering solid protection against everyday spills and splashes. It’s also available in a wide range of attractive colors Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Green, and PRODUCT (RED) many of which are still accessible in the refurbished and resale markets. While the design may feel a bit dated when compared to newer models with slimmer bezels and updated notches, the iPhone 13 still delivers a premium, modern look that holds its own in 2025.
iPhone 13 display quality performance
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display on the iPhone 13 remains a standout feature even in 2025. With a sharp 2532 x 1170 resolution and 460 pixels per inch, it delivers crisp text, vibrant colors, and deep blacks that enhance everything from reading to streaming content. The display supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, providing rich contrast and enhanced detail when watching supported content on platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Apple TV+. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, viewing photos, or enjoying HDR video playback, the experience remains visually satisfying and immersive.
However, the display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels dated compared to the 120Hz ProMotion available on higher-end models like the iPhone 13 Pro, 14 Pro, and newer 15 Pro. Users accustomed to smoother animations and faster touch response may notice the difference, particularly when playing games or navigating fast-moving apps. That said, for the majority of users, especially those not switching from a Pro model the iPhone 13’s screen is more than sufficient. With a typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of 1200 nits in HDR mode, the display performs well even in bright outdoor settings. It may lack some of the advanced features seen in newer displays, but in terms of color accuracy, contrast, and overall clarity, the iPhone 13 still delivers a premium viewing experience that competes strongly in the mid-range smartphone segment.
Performance of the iPhone 13
The iPhone 13, powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, remains impressively fast and efficient in 2025. The chip boasts a 6-core CPU (with 2 high-performance and 4 efficiency cores), a 4-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine dedicated to AI and machine learning tasks. Even four years after its release, this combination delivers consistently strong performance for everyday use. Whether you’re browsing the web, editing photos, or switching between multiple apps, the iPhone 13 maintains a snappy and fluid experience. Gaming is also smooth and enjoyable, with demanding titles like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and PUBG running well without noticeable lag or overheating.
From a benchmarking perspective, the A15 Bionic still holds its own, outperforming many midrange and even some flagship Android processors released in 2023 and 2024. While it doesn’t quite match the raw power of newer Apple chips like the A17 or A18, the real-world performance gap is minimal for the average user. The iPhone 13 is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage configurations, a welcome upgrade from earlier 64GB base models. It’s equipped with 4GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most tasks, although power users may notice limitations compared to Pro models with more memory. Still, background app management and general responsiveness remain smooth and dependable. Overall, the iPhone 13 continues to deliver flagship level performance at a mid-range price, making it an excellent value buy in 2025.
iPhone 13 software and iOS support
One of the biggest advantages of owning an iPhone especially when considering older models like the iPhone 13 is Apple’s industry-leading software support. The iPhone 13 originally launched with iOS 15 in 2021 and, as of 2025, runs iOS 18 with full functionality. Apple is known for delivering timely and consistent software updates across all compatible devices, ensuring that even older models stay secure, feature rich, and relevant. With Apple typically providing 5 to 6 years of major iOS updates, the iPhone 13 is expected to continue receiving updates until at least 2026 or 2027, giving users peace of mind when it comes to longevity and future-proofing.
With the current iOS 18 update, the iPhone 13 gains access to several new and useful features. These include updated widgets, enhanced lock screen customization, and a smarter Siri powered by improved AI algorithms. Users also benefit from stronger privacy tools, better accessibility features, and subtle but meaningful camera software enhancements. Despite being a few generations old, the iPhone 13 handles these new features with ease, thanks to the efficiency of the A15 Bionic chip and optimized system resources. Navigating the interface, opening apps, and switching between tasks all still feel smooth and responsive. For those who want to remain in the Apple ecosystem without spending on a new device, the iPhone 13 continues to deliver a modern and reliable user experience, making it a smart and safe choice even in 2025.
iPhone 13 camera system
The iPhone 13’s dual-camera system remains a strong performer in 2025, especially for a non-Pro model. It features a 12MP wide lens (f/1.6) with sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.4) with a 120° field of view. While it doesn’t include a telephoto lens or LiDAR scanner like the Pro models, it still delivers excellent results in most situations. Daylight photos are crisp, with accurate colors and plenty of detail, while Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion enhance dynamic range and fine textures, especially in high-contrast environments. The Night mode, available on both lenses, produces surprisingly good low-light shots with controlled noise and realistic lighting. Although the ultra wide camera isn’t the sharpest in the lineup, it’s still useful for landscapes, group shots, and creative compositions.
When it comes to video, the iPhone 13 continues to be a standout even in 2025. It supports 4K recording at 24/30/60fps, 1080p slow-motion at 120/240fps, and features like Dolby Vision HDR and Cinematic Mode, which adds a depth-of-field effect to your footage. Stabilization is excellent, making handheld shots smooth and professional-looking. Whether you’re filming casual moments or producing content for social media, the iPhone 13 remains one of the best tools in its price range. The 12MP front-facing camera also performs reliably, capturing sharp selfies with accurate skin tones and handling video calls through FaceTime, Zoom, or social apps with ease. For most users, the iPhone 13’s camera setup strikes a great balance between simplicity and performance, making it more than capable of meeting modern photography and video demands in 2025.
Battery life and charging
The iPhone 13 is equipped with a 3,240mAh battery, which continues to offer dependable all-day battery life even in 2025. Thanks to Apple’s consistent iOS optimization and the energy-efficient A15 Bionic chip, users can expect around 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time during mixed usage. Whether you’re browsing the web, streaming video, using GPS, or engaging in social media, the battery holds up well across tasks. For casual users, the iPhone 13 easily lasts a full day on a single charge, while moderate to heavy users may need a quick top-up in the evening something easily achievable with fast charging options.
Speaking of charging, the iPhone 13 supports 20W wired fast charging, which can recharge the phone to 50% in approximately 30 minutes. However, the power adapter is not included in the box and must be purchased separately. It also supports 15W MagSafe wireless charging, allowing users to take advantage of Apple’s magnetic ecosystem for stands and chargers, as well as 7.5W Qi wireless charging for broader compatibility. Even after 3 to 4 years of use, most well-cared-for iPhone 13 units should maintain a battery health of 80% or higher, although performance may vary depending on usage patterns. For buyers considering refurbished devices, it’s advisable to purchase from reputable sources that offer battery replacement or certification guarantees. While the iPhone 13 doesn’t offer the extended battery life of larger phones like the iPhone 15 Plus, it still delivers reliable, efficient power management, making it a practical and capable daily driver well into 2025.
Audio and Haptics
The iPhone 13 delivers a surprisingly rich and immersive audio experience for a compact smartphone. It features a stereo speaker setup with one speaker located at the bottom and the other integrated into the earpiece. Together, they produce clear, balanced, and loud sound that enhances everything from watching videos to listening to music or playing games. Despite the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple ensures a seamless listening experience through wireless audio, particularly when using AirPods or other high-quality Bluetooth earbuds. Audio is crisp, with strong mids and decent bass for a phone this size, and volume levels are more than sufficient for personal or small group use.
Beyond sound quality, haptic feedback on the iPhone 13 remains one of the best in any smartphone, even in 2025. Apple’s Taptic Engine provides precise, subtle, and responsive vibrations, enhancing the overall feel of the device. Whether you’re typing, navigating through menus, or receiving notifications, the feedback feels premium and unobtrusive. It’s a detail that significantly improves user interaction and contributes to the iPhone’s polished experience. Combined with the vibrant Super Retina XDR OLED display, the iPhone 13 offers an excellent audio-visual package for media consumption. Whether you’re streaming a movie, scrolling through TikTok, or on a FaceTime call, the stereo speakers and haptics work in harmony with the display to provide a well-rounded, enjoyable multimedia experience, even years after the phone’s initial release.
Connectivity and Features
The iPhone 13 comes well-equipped with a full suite of modern connectivity features, ensuring it remains highly functional even in 2025. It supports 5G (sub-6GHz globally and mmWave in the U.S.), delivering faster download and streaming speeds where available. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 ensures solid wireless performance for home and office networks, while Bluetooth 5.0 enables stable connections with accessories like AirPods, smartwatches, and speakers. Users also benefit from dual SIM support, with options for nano-SIM + eSIM or dual eSIM, providing flexibility for international travel or separating work and personal numbers. NFC is present as well, enabling fast and secure payments via Apple Pay, which remains one of the most widely supported mobile payment systems globally.
Beyond connectivity, the iPhone 13 includes several key features that enhance everyday usability. Face ID continues to be one of the fastest and most secure biometric authentication systems available, working reliably in various lighting conditions. The phone also supports MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic accessory ecosystem, allowing users to easily attach wallets, wireless chargers, and stands. Its IP68 water and dust resistance adds a layer of durability, protecting against accidental splashes or brief submersion. Integration with Apple’s ecosystem shines through with Handoff, AirDrop, and seamless iCloud sync, making it incredibly convenient to transition between iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. While it lacks newer tech like USB-C or Wi-Fi 6E/7 found in the latest models, these omissions are unlikely to affect the average user. For most people, the iPhone 13 still delivers reliable, fast, and intuitive connectivity, making it a dependable choice even several years after its original release.
Pricing and Value in 2025
As of mid-2025, the iPhone 13 is no longer available directly from Apple as a brand-new model, but it remains widely accessible in the refurbished and secondhand markets. Depending on condition, storage variant, and source, prices typically range from $500 to $550 USD for factory-sealed units in resale channels, while refurbished units often sell for $350 to $450. These lower prices make the iPhone 13 an appealing option for buyers who want solid performance and modern features without the premium cost of the latest models. Thanks to Apple’s excellent build quality and long-term software support, many of these used or refurbished devices still offer a near-new experience, especially when purchased from reputable sellers that offer battery replacement and warranty guarantees.
When compared to alternatives, the iPhone 13 offers superior value. It shares the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone SE (3rd Gen), but features a significantly better 6.1-inch OLED display, a more modern design, Face ID, and a dual-camera system. It also competes well with the iPhone 12, which lacks the iPhone 13’s improved battery life and camera enhancements. Even against the base iPhone 14, the differences are minimal, making the iPhone 13 a smarter, more cost-effective choice for most users. For buyers who aren’t chasing the latest features like Dynamic Island or ProMotion displays but still want a fast, reliable iPhone with excellent camera performance, good battery life, and years of software support, the iPhone 13 stands out as one of the best mid-tier iPhones to buy in 2025.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 1. Still very fast with the A15 Bionic chip 2. Excellent OLED display with great brightness and color 3. Impressive camera and video features 4. All-day battery life and MagSafe support 5. Runs iOS 18 with future updates guaranteed 6. Great value in the used/refurbished market | 1. 60Hz refresh rate feels dated 2. No telephoto lens or Pro-level camera features 3. No USB-C (still uses Lightning) 4. Design is nearly identical to iPhone 12 5. Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards |
Final Verdict – Should You Still Buy the iPhone 13 in 2025?
Yes if you’re looking for a reliable iPhone without spending flagship money.
The iPhone 13 strikes a strong balance between performance, camera quality, battery life, and long-term software support. While it lacks some of the premium features of newer Pro models, it still holds its own remarkably well even four years after launch.
If you’re okay with the 60Hz display and don’t need the latest cameras, the iPhone 13 remains one of the best value iPhones you can buy in 2025.