9 new iPhone 13 features you need to know before you buy
The iPhone 13 comes out on September 24. Before you pre-order here's what you need to know about Apple's new iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 mini.
Design-wise, the iPhone 13 isn’t all that different from the iPhone 12. Same flat sides, same aluminum frame on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, and same stainless steel on the iPhone 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max.
1. Design
There are some design differences, though. The rear cameras on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are now arranged in a diagonal layout.
9/24
The date the iPhone 13 family launches. Pre-orders start a week earlier on 9/17.
2. Same pricing
No price hikes this year. iPhone 13 mini starts at $699. iPhone 13 starts at $799. iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999. iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099.
3. Smaller notch
Since the iPhone X, the size of the notch — the area with the Face ID sensors and selfie camera — has remained the same. After four generations, the notch is now smaller.
4. Faster displays
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max displays are finally 120Hz rates. Apple calls this ProMotion just like on iPad Pro. 120Hz doubles the responsiveness when you’re scrolling and tapping around. All iPhone 13 displays are also brighter.
5. Longer battery life
Apple says the iPhone 13 Mini lasts 1.5 hours longer than iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 13 lasts 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 Pro lasts 1.5 hours longer than the 12 Pro and the 13 Pro Max lasts 2.5 hours longer than the 12 Pro Max.
6. New colors!
The iPhone 13 comes in five colors: pink, blue, midnight black, starlight pink, and (Product) Red.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 Pro comes in four colors: graphite, gold, silver, and Sierra Blue.
7. Improved cameras
Apple is sticking with 12-megapixel cameras in the entire iPhone 13 lineup.
Apple says they should perform better in low-light and photos should have less noise. On the iPhone 13 Pros, the cameras have a new 3x optical zoom lens, ProRes video capture, and an ultra-wide which can shoot macro photos.
A sample of a macro photo taken with iPhone 13 Pro.
The iPhone 13 Pro camera now shares the same sensor-shift image stabilization as the 13 Pro Max. Previously, the sensor-shift image stabilization was exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
8. Cinematic mode
Everyone knows iPhones are great for recording video. The iPhone 13 family adds “Cinematic mode” which lets you “rack focus” similar to how you can with a traditional camera and lens. The feature is limited to 1080p at 30 fps, though.
9. DOUBLE THE STORAGE
Entry-level iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have 128GB, double the storage of the base iPhone 12 and 12 mini. There’s also a 1TB storage option for the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.
⫷ iPhone 13 / 13 mini specs ⫸
• 6.1-inch (13) display, 5.4-inch (13 mini)
• A15 Bionic chip
• 12-megapixel triple-lens camera + 12-megapixel selfie camera
• 128GB, 256GB, 512GB storage
• MagSafe wireless charging
⫷ iPhone 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max specs ⫸
• 6.1-inch (13 Pro) display, 6.7-inch (13 Pro Max)
• A15 Bionic chip
• 12-megapixel triple-lens camera + 12-megapixel selfie camera