Should you buy the iPhone 13? Let’s check what has been improved and what are its shortcomings.
The workmanship is as always perfect, but still thick.
In terms of appearance and build quality, nothing has changed compared to its predecessors – until we delve into the details. The general idea is the same – angular edges and flat surfaces predominate. I really like this design, but it does not change the fact that the ergonomics are not perfect. Given that each of the iPhones is slightly thicker than its predecessor, they will be even heavier.
The larger landing site and camera placement cannot be ignored either. This also means that iPhone 12 cases won’t fit the new models. Lenses protrude even more, but at least it’s justified by really better cameras.
The last big change in the design of the new iPhone 13 is the notch. It still looks worse than on any Android flagship, but it’s at least a little smaller this time around. This will allow you to see more of the screen and takes some getting used to. In the current version of iOS, Apple doesn’t use the extra space for notifications, which is just stupid.
The ProMotion screen is the solution all Apple fans have been waiting for
Let’s go to the screen. Here it is necessary to fundamentally distinguish between the basic and Pro models. In the case of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, we are talking about almost the same panels as a year ago. Reviewers note that they are indeed brighter (Apple claims 28%), but you usually only see the difference when you put them next to last year’s phones. And they still only have 60Hz.
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max display is a different story. They are equipped with LTPO OLED panels. They offer variable refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz – depending on your circumstances, iOS adjusts. These are excellent panels, but Android competitors are not far behind here.
Performance is amazing – but not without misses
Measuring iPhone performance in benchmarks is pointless as their processors always have better synthetic performance than Android flagships. It’s more about responsiveness, and here it should be perfect. But it’s not. During the tests, it was found that the iPhone 13 Mini performed below its older brother and Pro models. It’s hard to tell if this is a software issue or if performance has been reduced by software to improve battery life.
The difference between the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, as well as the Pro variants, will become even more noticeable. First, the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro have slightly more powerful processors. Second, ProMotion screens dramatically change the feel of liquidity. The third is multitasking – the Pro versions have 6GB of RAM, while the cheaper models only offer 4GB of RAM. And this is only felt if you are an experienced user.
The truth is that the biggest difference in performance will be felt in the camera. New video recording modes and updated algorithms for shooting in low light conditions require a lot of processing power, and the Apple A15 Bionic is able to show its full potential here.
Which iPhone 13 has the best battery?
One of the most notable changes in the new iPhone 13 models is larger batteries. This partly explains the increased thickness and weight of these smartphones. Has this resulted in a real increase in uptime?
Everyone is talking about change for the better. However, first, let’s remember how Apple’s flagships of last year are different.
The iPhone 13 Mini has a 2500 mAh battery. This is 9% more.
The iPhone 13 offers a 3265 mAh battery. This is 15 percent more than its predecessor.
iPhone 13 Pro is equipped with a 3150 mAh battery. The previous model loses here by 11%.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max battery has a capacity of 4400 mAh. This is the largest battery ever in an Apple phone and has grown by 18.5%.
iPhone 13 Pro Max 120Hz became #1 in battery life i.e. by autonomy.
The numbers are important, but the reality confirms the initial enthusiasm. The situation is such that the iPhone 13 will easily last from morning to evening during a day filled with games, photography, video recording or browsing the Internet. Everyone unanimously noted that the improvements compared to its predecessor are great. The iPhone 13 Mini isn’t too bad, but it’s still not a phone for heavy smartphone users.
Why are Pro models better? When the iPhone 13 Pro is used to record in 4K all day long, by around 11 p.m., its battery has 20% charge left. At 5 hours in SoT mode, the smaller model still has 50% battery. These are impressive results for such cameras. iPhone 13 Pro Max just got better.
The camera got better, but it’s not a revolution
No iPhone had a bad camera at launch, but it wasn’t always one of the best on the market. iPhone 13 in any version offers noticeably better photos than any predecessor. And it’s worth noting that no other flagship in the hands of a complete amateur can take better photos than Apple.
Ease of application, identical balance for each lens, and reasonable video in any light – all these advantages are simultaneously missing from the competition. Even the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S21 isn’t quite as perfect – even though it comes with an extra telephoto lens and 30x zoom.
Let’s start with the younger models, which have the same cameras. There are two lenses, and although the basic matrix has not changed significantly, there has been a revolution in wide-angle shooting. As a result, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini take about the same photos in good light as their predecessors.
The difference is noticeable at night and during video recording. Photos speak more than a thousand words.
The camera on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max is considered the best on the market
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max have been unified. Both models now offer exactly the same photographic capabilities. They consist of three lenses each and the cameras have gotten a lot bigger. Sure, it looks a bit comical on the smaller screen model, but in the end it’s all about the quality of the photos. And this quality is phenomenal.
Everyone agrees that there is no phone that takes better photos. However, it’s worth considering. If you take most of the photos during the day, then paying extra for the Pro version does not make sense. The iPhone 13 or Mini version will do just as well.
Low Light Pro Version
When we talk about low light, things are different. The main sensor has a single pixel size of 1.9µm, and the very fast f/1.5 lens does the trick. This means that a large amount of light hits the sensor, and the effect after dark is impressive. Everyone says no other phone can match the 13 Pro and Pro Max at night and in dimly lit rooms.
Apple worked hard on the software throughout the year. Noise is not noticeable, and the software no longer tries to aggressively lighten the dark areas of photos, preferring to expose the light ones instead.
The wide angle has also undergone significant changes. Thanks to the addition of autofocus and can now be used for macro photography. The corresponding mode is activated automatically at a distance of less than 10 cm from the subject. You can also notice an improvement in photos in the dark – but only marginally and not as much as the cheaper iPhone 13 and Mini.
Picture Profiles and Cinematic Mode
Two new features that Apple has put a lot of emphasis on at the conference are Picture Profiles and Cinematic Mode. The first is a set of default settings with which the iPhone 13 in all versions now takes photos. This is the result of rivalry with Samsung and Google – one automatic mode is no longer enough. Apple is very reluctant to call them filters because they are not actually post-production.
Currently there are 5 profiles and it is possible that more will be added in the future. In addition to the standard mode, there is also a “Rich Contrast” mode – in short, it makes photos more like Pixel, that is, blue colors and deep contrast come out on top. “Vibrant” on the other hand is a direct answer to the Samsung camera, ie. very strongly saturated colors. All of them are based on Smart HDR technology.
So what exactly is Cinematic Mode? This is a brand new feature on Apple phones that now allows you to blur the background in your recorded video. Autofocus automatically shifts from face to face, blurring the background. The sound is great and it works really well. Apple is further ahead of the competition when it comes to video.
iPhone 13 – is it worth buying?
The simplest answer is if you don’t mind spending on a smartphone, then by all means. Each of the iPhone 13 models is significantly better than its predecessor.
Let’s start with the smallest model. The iPhone 13 Mini now has a better battery, a better camera, twice the storage, and is still the smallest flagship on the market. This is an unbeatable choice compared to what it was a year ago. This is also the last chance for such a small format, because next year it will be replaced by a model with a 6.7-inch screen. However, it is possible that this design will be used as an affordable iPhone SE 2022.
Moving on to the iPhone 13, which is without a doubt the biggest best seller in Apple’s offering this year.
