The iPhone 13 isn’t the cutting-edge device it was in 2021, but it’s still an impressive device. With its brighter display, longer battery life, and powerful cameras, the Apple iPhone 13 specs still offer a great user experience. Choose a certified refurbished iPhone from Gazelle to get reliability you can count on at a low price.
Is The iPhone 13 Worth It? Review Criteria
Whether the iPhone 13 is the right choice will depend on your budget and priorities. The key criteria to consider with a new phone are:
- Design and weight: Good build quality, aesthetics, and form factor make for a more enjoyable user experience.
- Hardware: Powerful internal components are essential for demanding apps and smooth video streaming.
- Display: Screen quality plays a major role in a quality phone experience.
- Camera: Industry-leading camera systems are perhaps the biggest priority for Apple fans.
Design
The iPhone 13 doesn’t significantly change the standard design philosophy of Apple’s devices. It keeps the sleek, rectangular shape with the iconic Apple notch. Despite the similarity of the iPhone 13’s design, the notch is somewhat smaller and the phone introduced a diagonal camera arrangement. Beneath the surface, the Apple iPhone 13 has a durable construction of crack-resistant glass and aluminum. The phone has an impressive IP68 rating for water resistance at a depth of 6 meters for 30 minutes.
Hardware
CPU
The iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chip is still a great fit for work, mobile gaming, and streaming. It features a 6-core CPU that can handle multiple demanding applications at once. While it’s not as powerful as more recent releases, it’s still capable for most tasks you might use it for.
GPU
The 4-core GPU in the iPhone 13 offers good graphics performance for gaming and streaming. The GPU supports complex rendering tasks and is optimized for most apps, augmented reality experiences, and other demanding uses.
RAM
With 4GB of RAM, the iPhone 13 provides ample memory to handle everyday tasks and more intensive applications. This ensures smooth multitasking and quick response times, even when running multiple apps simultaneously.
Storage
The iPhone 13 comes in three storage options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. While this is a good range of options, you’ll need to be careful which you choose. The iPhone 13 doesn’t support expandable storage via microSD, so you’ll need to choose a model with enough storage for long-term use.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the iPhone 13’s standout features. The device houses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers impressive longevity. Apple claims up to 17 hours of offline video playback, although cellular or wi-fi usage will deplete the battery faster.
The device supports 20W fast charging, reaching 51% in 30 minutes, and also supports wireless charging, adding convenience for users. However, battery life can vary depending on individual use and network configuration.
Camera Quality
The iPhone 13 features an advanced dual camera system with a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. This combination is suitable for standard shots or landscape photos, and live photos lens correction makes it easy to use. The ultra-wide camera captures a broader scene, while the wide camera offers better low-light performance with its larger sensor and faster aperture.
Key features include:
- Sensor shift optical image stabilization: Reduces blur in photos and videos.
- Night mode: Greatly improves low-light photography.
- Photographic Styles: Customizable photo styles.
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K): Smooths out video capture.
- Video recording with Dolby Vision: Enhances HDR video quality.
- Time-lapse video with stabilization: Ensures steady time-lapse shots.
- Slo-mo video support: Slow-motion video support for 1080p at 120 fps.
- 4K video recording: Supports 4K at 60 fps for high-resolution videos.
- Depth control portrait lighting: Provides adjustable lighting effects for portraits.
The front TrueDepth camera offers 12MP resolution, supporting features like Portrait mode, depth control, and Portrait Lighting with six effects. Video recording capabilities include 4K at 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording, and continuous autofocus video.
Pros and Cons of iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 offers a range of impressive features, but it also has some drawbacks:
Pros:
- Bright and vibrant Super Retina XDR display
- Excellent camera system; features include optical image stabilization, sensor shift, night mode, live photo lens correction, and HDR video recording with video stabilization (4k 1080p and 720p)
- Control the iPhone 13 with only your voice
- Compatibility with excellent integrations and accessories such as Apple Pay, the Lightning digital av adapter, Apple TV, etc.
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip for functions like movies, TV, music, and other apps
- Good battery life with fast and wireless charging support
- Supports Apple Pay and Apple Cash for easy transactions
- Water and dust resistant (IP68 rating)
- Improved FaceTime call with SharePlay
- Smart TV video mirroring via AirPlay
Cons:
- Lacks 120Hz display, which is available on Pro models
- Slower charging compared to some Android competitors
- No optical zoom, only digital zoom
- Cinematic video mode capped at 1080p
- No support for physical SIM cards in some regions
Final Verdict: Is the iPhone 13 Worth It?
The iPhone 13 isn’t the most powerful phone or the cheapest, but time has made it a great mid-range option. Its powerful hardware, impressive camera capabilities, and good battery life make it easy to forget it’s a somewhat older model. In all, it’s a surprisingly competitive model even in 2024.
If you do choose to go for an iPhone 13, you should choose a reputable seller like Gazelle. A certified refurbished iPhone 13 from Gazelle costs as little as $325, roughly 30% of the cost of a new iPhone.
Get a Refurbished iPhone 13 With Gazelle
Opting for a refurbished iPhone 13 from Gazelle is a wise choice, blending quality, savings, and sustainability. Here’s why purchasing a Gazelle refurbished iPhone 13 stands out.
Certified Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 from Gazelle
When you buy a refurbished iPhone 13 from Gazelle, you can be confident in its quality and functionality. Gazelle’s certified refurbished phones rely on official parts and undergo a 30-point inspection. While there may be some minor scratches, you can expect a phone in great working condition.
Same Phone, Low Price
A refurbished iPhone 13 from Gazelle offers significant cost savings compared to buying new. Enjoy the robust A15 Bionic chip, an advanced dual-camera system with Night mode, and the stunning Super Retina XDR display—all at a reduced price. Enjoy the iPhone 13’s superior performance without the premium price tag.
Get a Great Phone and Help the Environment
By purchasing a pre-owned device, you help reduce electronic waste in landfills. This is a major source of groundwater contamination, so buying a refurbished phone can go a long way to protecting your local environment. Lowering demand for new devices reduces industrial pollution as well.
By choosing a refurbished iPhone 13 from Gazelle, you enjoy a great phone while helping the environment at the same time. Make the smart, responsible choice; choose a refurbished iPhone from Gazelle.