iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13: All the differences explained
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Intro
The iPhone 14 was barely an upgrade, but the iPhone 15 comes with a much longer list of new features and potentially many more reasons for iPhone 13 users to upgrade.
A new 48 MP main camera improves low-light photo quality and brings much more detail to zoomed shots thanks to sensor cropping. The notch on the iPhone 13 is replaced with the Dynamic Island, you get a faster processor with more RAM, and our favorite tweak is the switch to the USB-C port on the iPhone 15.
Update on the software front: iOS 26 is out, learn more about the new features in the ‘performance’ section of this article.
But is all of that enough to convince you to upgrade?
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13 Differences Compared:
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 13 |
|---|---|
| Similar 6.1-inch form factor, but with rounded edges | 6.1-inch size with sharp edges |
| Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Brighter display 1,000 nits typical | 800 nits typical |
| A16 Bionic chip (4 nm) | A15 chip (5 nm) |
| 6 GB RAM | 4 GB RAM |
| New 48 MP main camera 2X sensor crop | 12 MP main camera |
| Similar battery size 3,349 mAh | 3,227 mAh battery size |
| USB-C port | Lightning port |
| Same charging speed | 20W wired charging 15W MagSafe |
- Read more in our iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13 specs comparison
Keep in mind that the iPhone 16 is now also available. It scores a faster new chip with support for the hyped Apple Intelligence. You also get a new Camera Control button and a few other tweaks. Read more about it in our iPhone 16 vs iPhone 13 in-depth comparison.
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Apple reaches the Dynamic Island and discovers USB-C
The family ties are definitely obvious for just about anyone who has ever laid eyes on a modern iPhone.
Apple has slowly been working towards removing the iconic notch from its phones, and it finally managed to do so with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. That change did not come to the regular models last year, but the iPhone 15 remedies that by adopting the Dynamic Island.
Something that no one expected with the iPhone 15 series was its new back panel, which now comes with a matte finish, so it should feel noticeably different in the hand compared to the iPhone 13. The other difference in design is the USB-C port that has been so hotly debated.
Speaking of the new USB-C connector, unlike the iPhone 13 which came with a USB-C to Lightning cable, iPhone 15 comes with a new USB-C to USB-C braided cable that should be more durable in comparison.
The rest of the iPhone 15 shares a lot of design cues with the iPhone 13, including the IP68 dust and water resistance rating. There is a minor distinction, however, namely the slightly curved edges at the intersection of the aluminum frame and the new matte back panel, which is expected to enhance the phone's ergonomics.
Display Differences
Two generations later, still no ProMotion
The iPhone 13 comes with a 6.1" OLED display, with a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz and a peak brightness of around 1200 nits. The iPhone 15 comes with a higher peak brightness of 2000 nits, but it keeps the same 60Hz refresh rate. A big disappointment for many.
Sadly, Apple is still staying away from adding a higher refresh rate screen to its non-Pro models even in 2023. It would have been a nice surprise, though, if we at least got to see a 90Hz panel added to this year's base iPhones.
Of course, we can't forget to mention the Dynamic Island, and therefore the official "death" of the notch that the iPhone 13 comes with.
Our tests show that the iPhone 13 can't quite hit the same maximum brightness levels as the iPhone 15, but on the other hand, the older phone has a more precise color temperature. The iPhone 13's display is slightly more color-accurate, but you definitely won't be able to notice this in real life, it only pops up in our benchmark tests.
Performance and Software
Faster processor and more RAM
Apple is known for not clearly stating how much RAM (memory) its phones have, but each year it gets revealed through released benchmark results. The iPhone 13 came with 4GB of RAM, but the iPhone 15 has 6GB, and it is the faster type called LPDDR5 memory. All of this means that, compared to the 2021 model, the iPhone 15 can handle more tasks simultaneously and feel overall faster.
As for the chipset, it is an upgrade from Apple's A15 Bionic to the A16 (also seen in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max), which has a 24-28% boost in graphics performance thanks to a new penta-core GPU. Here are the benchmark results we got during our synthetic benchmark testing, where we evaluated the two devices in the Geekbench 6 (for the CPU) and 3DMark Extreme tests (for the GPU).
As you can see, the A16 Bionic beats the A15 both in single and multi-core processing speed, as well as graphical performance, and it is in no small margin. All of this boost in power means that the iPhone 15 is more capable and faster, but given how good the A15 inside the iPhone 13 is, most people won't notice the difference unless they use apps that require that higher horsepower of the newer model.
Apple officially announced iOS 26, and it comes with a lot of changes. First of all, it introduces a new look called Liquid Glass. It's quite the design change; everything looks… well, glassy and transparent, at least in "Clear Look" mode. You can use the default look if it's too much for you.
The dynamic wallpaper now adjusts to make room for notifications. There's also new animated album art when you tap on Now Playing. But it's not just about the looks.
The Camera interface has been simplified with now only two main modes—photo and video. You can access them by swiping left or right. Speaking of photos, Apple fixed the mess with the Photos app it created with the last update, and now everything is back to normal - you can find your favorite albums easily once again.
In terms of security, there's a new Call Screening option that you might find familiar (it's been on Pixel phones for some time). It monitors calls and alerts you about suspicious callers and potential fraud. This works in Messages as well, filtering spam in your chats.
Speaking of Messages, there are improvements there as well. You can set custom backgrounds and also create polls in group chats.
Apple Maps has been improved as well; the app now proactively suggests alternative routes to avoid traffic based on your commute history and daily routines.
The dynamic wallpaper now adjusts to make room for notifications. There's also new animated album art when you tap on Now Playing. But it's not just about the looks.
In terms of security, there's a new Call Screening option that you might find familiar (it's been on Pixel phones for some time). It monitors calls and alerts you about suspicious callers and potential fraud. This works in Messages as well, filtering spam in your chats.
Speaking of Messages, there are improvements there as well. You can set custom backgrounds and also create polls in group chats.
Apple Maps has been improved as well; the app now proactively suggests alternative routes to avoid traffic based on your commute history and daily routines.
Camera
Better in all regards
Main Camera
The iPhone 15 can utilize each one of these 48 megapixels to create highly detailed images. Even with the 24MP default mode that the new base model shoots in, the images still look extremely sharp, with more vivid colors, striking a nice balance between quality and file size.
Zoom Quality
The new 48MP camera also allows for a 2X sensor crop, so images taken at 2X zoom come out as though they are shot by a dedicated telephoto camera, essentially making the iPhone 15 feel like it has not 2 but 3 cameras on its back. The iPhone 13, on the other hand, has to resort to a digital zoom which takes away from the image quality by a significant margin.
Ultra-wide
Portrait Mode
Portrait mode has seen a glow up too, helping the iPhone 15 create what Apple calls 'next-generation portraits.' Thanks to this upgrade a regular photo can be transformed to a Portrait after it has been taken. What's more, you can also switch the focus of a portrait photo to a different person after the capture.
Selfies
Video Quality
Do you see a major difference in video quality between these two?
Audio Quality and Haptics
Both the speakers and haptics on the iPhone 13 are already great, to begin with. The iPhone 15 doesn't have anything new to add and make them better. Suffice it to say, the audio profile continues to be a well-balanced one, with good amounts of bass from the bottom and earpiece speaker duo.
Haptic feedback is also unchanged between these two generations, albeit that is not much of a disappointment given how tight and strong it feels anyways.
Battery Life and Charging
Slightly better battery life in some cases
One of the things that made the iPhone 13 popular in 2021 was its outstanding battery life. While the iPhone 14 series improved on that end ever so slightly (minus the battery life issues of the iPhone 14 Pro), the iPhone 15 doesn't seem to offer anything more.
PhoneArena Battery and Charging Test Results:
As you can see from the results of our custom battery tests, which are all conducted with the displays set at 200 nits of brightness, the iPhone 13 in fact beats what is supposed to be its improved version in two of the three battery life categories. It is only in the gaming test that the iPhone 15 manages to come on top, most likely because the new A16 chipset is better at handling graphic-intensive tasks.
As for charging, there is the new USB-C port, but the change simply affects the type of cable you can plug in. The charging speeds remain as those on the iPhone 13, i.e. 20W wired and 15W wireless with MagSafe.
Specs Comparison
Check out a summary of both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13's specs below. Please note that we also have an in-depth iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13 specs comparison table here where you can learn more about all the smaller details:
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 13 |
|---|---|
| Size 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 171 g | Size 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 174 g |
| Display 6.1" OLED 60Hz 2000 nits peak brightness | Display 6.1" OLED 60Hz 1200 nits peak brightness |
| Processor A16 Bionic 4nm | Processor A15 Bionic 5nm |
| Storage 6/128GB 6/256GB 6/512GB | Storage 4/128GB 4/256GB 4/512GB |
| Cameras 48MP main 12MP ultra - 12MP front | Cameras 12MP main 12MP ultra - 12MP front |
| Charging USB-C 20W wired 15W MagSafe | Charging Lightning connector 20W wired 15W MagSafe |
Summary and Final Verdict
If you own an iPhone 13 and you feel like you need to upgrade, the iPhone 15 is a big jump in multiple areas.
You get an improved camera system with improved low-light capabilities and more detailed zoom shots. There is also the A16 Bionic with higher performance in graphic-intensive scenarios.
As for the design, there is the Dynamic Island, which offers new functionality. Additionally, the USB-C port can save you that hassle of having to swap between different cables for all of your devices.
That being said, the iPhone 15 is not exactly a game-changer either. Yes, it has some significant perks that make it very appealing, but the 2021 iPhone 13 is still a great phone even a few years after its launch.
As for the design, there is the Dynamic Island, which offers new functionality. Additionally, the USB-C port can save you that hassle of having to swap between different cables for all of your devices.
That being said, the iPhone 15 is not exactly a game-changer either. Yes, it has some significant perks that make it very appealing, but the 2021 iPhone 13 is still a great phone even a few years after its launch.
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