The last smartphones for me were always Pro models from Apple and intentionally “the small version”. In other words, I’ve had the iPhone 12 Pro up until now and with the switch to the new iPhone 13 models this year I’m trying: “Does it always have to be the Pro?” To explore this question and how satisfied I am with the iPhone 13, in the next few lines….
iPhone 13: What do the models have in common?
All four iPhone 13 models basically have a lot in common, which would be:
Apple A15 Bionic: The latest Apple mobile processorNew camera: with improved low-light, cinema mode, optical image stabilization (OIS) with sensor shiftBesser Akku: for more running timeNotch: The notch on the top of the display has become narrower5G: has become the standard at AppleCeramic Shield: Strong display protection The new Apple iPhone 13
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13: These are differences
The test is mainly about this part, the differences to the Pro, or whether I miss those features. These are the following:
Super Retina XDR Display mit ProMotion: Variable refresh rate from 10 to 120 HertzEven better camera: Macro mode that is only available on the Pro models and a third lens with 3x optical zoomApple A15 Bionic: Higher graphics performance in the Apple chipMore memory: Additional 1TB storage option, iPhone 13 has a maximum of 512GB
Processing and feel
In a direct comparison to the iPhone 12 Pro, you can hardly feel any difference to the new iPhone 13. The devices are practically the same size, feel the same in the hand and are of course the same in terms of operation. The only distinguishing feature is the camera. Or rather the cameras. On the one hand they are larger and on the other hand the iPhone 13 of course only has 2 (telephoto is missing) while the triple lens is reserved for the Pro models. I’m really pleased that they stuck to the angular design; for me it just feels better in the hand. I feel less like it could slide off.
Apple stays true to the edges…
MagSafe & Charging
You can also lose words again about MagSafe. The system has become established at Apple and its accessory suppliers. There are numerous accessories, I simply use a case that is recognized directly by Magsafe. In my daily use, I usually still have Qi, be it on the bedside table with the Nomad charging station or on the go in the VW ID.4 directly in the charging case in the car. What amazes me personally: I have never connected the iPhone to a cable anymore, and the iPhone 13 has never been connected to a cable since I got it. Also thanks to Apple Carplay, which has now established itself with wireless, it’s brilliant.
MagSafe, here still on the iPhone 12 Pro
Battery & runtime
The battery life of the iPhone 13 has somehow remained completely under the radar. A lot has definitely changed here, certainly not just in terms of battery size but in the interaction of software and hardware. Something that Apple has always mastered well and has apparently found a very efficient way to get as much as possible out of the battery. The iPhone 13 is said to have a capacity of around 3200mAh, which is around 400mAh more than its predecessor. I can get through the day with the iPhone 13 without any problems and usually have well over 30% remaining capacity in the evening, whereas with the iPhone 12 Pro the battery was still around 10% in the evening. Significant progress has been made here!
The cameras in the iPhone 13
Cameras
For me, the camera is now an important factor in a smartphone and perhaps even the most important aspect of all. The iPhone 13 inherited some of the technology from the Pro models from last year. Such as image stabilization with the complex sensor shift technology. But even more important are the larger pixels in the wide angle and main camera for more light. This naturally reduces image noise and also increases the quality in low light, such as in night mode. Here you can clearly notice a move closer to the Pro models, even if they have become a bit better. What the 13 is clearly missing is the optical telephoto.
Also new are the “photographic styles” with four presetting options in addition to the standard. This corresponds to the usual look of the iPhone cameras and should look as “lifelike” as possible. There is also the following selection: Vibrant, Rich Contrast, Warm and Cool. The styles are not filters, they help directly influence the basic processing of the iPhone’s images. As for brighter and richer colors, more contrast for a more dramatic look, more warmth or cold in the images.
Sample shot with rich contrast
I have stored originals of many images in an iCloud album so that you can get an idea of the quality of the new iPhone 13 camera.
Not only has a lot changed for photography, a lot has also happened for moving images. The cinema mode in particular is of course unparalleled. A depth of field effect is applied, in which the focus point of the video is sharpened while the foreground and background are pleasantly blurred. The iPhone automatically captures people very well as focus points and you can adjust it by tapping. The function also comes to older iPhone models with iOS 15. It’s not something I really need at the moment, I’ve been getting a bit crazy about the built-in time-lapse function lately:
In daily use
Which functions of the iPhone 13 Pro do I really miss in daily business? The 120Hz refresh rate is not something you miss if you don’t know about it. You won’t see any difference until you use the devices next to each other. From then on you notice it and for the normal user it is currently hardly a reason to upgrade. The same applies to the better GPU performance, which you will probably only notice when you play demanding games. The fact that you can double the memory to a whopping 1TB is brilliant, but that should be the criterion that everyone can easily judge for themselves based on the current memory usage. I’ve done well on all points so far with the iPhone 13 and would therefore be “not a pro user”. Now comes the big “but”: I miss the telephoto lens enormously. I got so used to this with the iPhone 12 Pro that I now completely miss it. For years I was someone who always took cameras with me on vacation, but the last iPhone generations have completely eliminated that for me. But once you have enjoyed three lenses, you don’t want to give them up anymore, so my reason for buying a Pro device would clearly be the third lens with the telephoto lens.
Product Red Case for iPhone 13
Conclusion
The iPhone 13 is a significant step forward since its predecessor, especially when it comes to camera and battery life. For most people who are not very tech-savvy, I always recommend the 2-year cycle for smartphones. So if you’re coming from the iPhone 11, the step to the iPhone 13 is a big one and definitely makes sense. If you already had the iPhone 12, like me, you will particularly notice the two points mentioned above as a significant improvement. The iPhone 13 is positioned very excitingly, especially in terms of price; the Pro device costs CHF 250 more. So if you can do without the telephoto lens, you might want to save on it.
The iPhone 13 is available in stores from CHF 879.