iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13: Is it finally time to dethrone the iPhone 13?
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Intro
Unlike its 2022 predecessor, the iPhone 15 finally introduced enough upgrades to its spec sheet to deserve to be called a 'new generation'. From a new 48MP main camera that's much more capable than the 12MP on the iPhone 13, to replacing the notch with the Dynamic Island, the new base iPhone is shaping up to be a more worthy upgrade.
But is it "worthy" enough? Well, for many, the answer might be a resounding "no." Unless you really want that jump in image quality that comes with the new camera, or the USB-C port, there is little else that would nudge you to upgrade from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 15.
With the iPhone 16 around the corner, neither the iPhone 15 nor the iPhone 13 will be terribly outdated, but it's apparent that the iPhone 13 will be the first one that will have to get upgraded.
Enough beating around the bush, though, let us take a closer look at the differences and similarities between these two phones!
And in 2024, the iPhone 16 finally succeeds both devices. It scores a faster new chip, support for Apple Intelligence, a new Camera Control button, and great battery life, making it a potential upgrade target for iPhone 13 users. iPhone 15 users, on the other hand, probably shouldn't upgrade: not much value will be gained, even though their devices won't support Apple Intelligence. We feel it's not a dealbreaker yet.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13:
- 4nm A16 Bionic chip vs 5nm A15
- Brighter display
- Dynamic Island replaces the notch
- Same storage options
- 48MP main camera
- Same-ish battery life
- Same charging speeds
- USB-C
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.
Currently, both models run iOS 18, but will receive iOS 18.1 in the fall. One thing that's coming to neither of these is Apple Intelligence: it requires iPhone 15 Pro/iPhone 15 Pro Max and higher. However, while nice, we don't feel that it's a dealbreaker.
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, weight | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches, 6.03 oz (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, 171.0 g) | 5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 inches, 6.14 oz (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm, 174.0 g) |
| Screen | 6.1" OLED, 60Hz, 2000 nits peak brightness, 1600 peak HDR brightness | 6.1" OLED, 60Hz, 1200 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | A16 Bionic 4nm | A15 Bionic 5nm |
| RAM, Storage | 6/128GB 6/256GB 6/512GB - | 4/128GB 4/256GB 4/512GB - |
| Cameras | 48MP main 12MP ultra - 12MP front | 12MP main 12MP ultra - 12MP front |
| Charging | USB-C 20W wired 15W MagSafe | 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 warrants a significant enough jump in multiple areas. You get a much better camera system that comes with new features, better-quality images, and improved low-light capabilities. There is also the A16 Bionic, which comes with higher performance in graphic-intensive scenarios.
As for the design, there is the Dynamic Island, which offers new functionality and interaction with the phone's UI, so if you have wanted to try that out this is a good chance. 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, if you are unsure whether you want to upgrade to a newer phone from your iPhone 13, the iPhone 15 might not offer enough to change your mind. Yes, it has some significant perks that make it very appealing, but the 2021 base iPhone is still a great phone even two years later.
As for the design, there is the Dynamic Island, which offers new functionality and interaction with the phone's UI, so if you have wanted to try that out this is a good chance. 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, if you are unsure whether you want to upgrade to a newer phone from your iPhone 13, the iPhone 15 might not offer enough to change your mind. Yes, it has some significant perks that make it very appealing, but the 2021 base iPhone is still a great phone even two years later.
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