The iPhone 15 Pro adds over 50 new features and upgrades to Apple’s high-end devices, compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, which was released two years ago. This buyer’s guide breaks down every key difference between the two models and helps you decide whether to upgrade.
The 2021 iPhone 13 Pro features a brighter display with ProMotion technology for 120Hz refresh rates, the A15 Bionic chip, a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, Macro photography and photographic styles, Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field, ProRes video recording, a 1TB storage option, and an additional five hours of battery life. Although the iPhone 13 Pro was discontinued in favor of the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, it is still available for purchase second-hand.
IPHONE 15 PRO VS IPHONE 13 PRO: SPECS COMPARISON
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro share many basic functions, however, the iPhone 15 Pro includes noteworthy enhancements, including a titanium design, a 48-megapixel main camera, an always-on display, an Action button, a USB-C port, and an A17 Bionic CPU.
CAMERA
One of the most noticeable differences between the two iPhones is their cameras. While both the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro have triple camera arrays with wide-angle primary sensors and 12-megapixel ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, only the iPhone 15 Pro has a wide-angle camera with a 48-megapixel resolution. The latest iPhone can now record “super-high-resolution” photos. The iPhone 15 Pro also makes use of Apple’s Photonic Engine, and both phones include 12-megapixel front cameras that can capture 4K video at up to 60fps.
However, the iPhone 15 Pro has taken another step further in terms of video with the addition of Action mode, Log video recording, and support for the Academy Color Encoding System.
We found images taken with the iPhone 13 Pro to be excellent, with a high degree of detail and plenty of natural depth. The camera also does an excellent job of balancing dynamic range and color in difficult settings while keeping everything looking natural. The night mode captures detail and natural colors beautifully, albeit the zoom isn’t as good as the periscope configuration on some rival phones.
In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro can capture vivid, detailed photographs in well-lit environments and has some of the best natural bokeh in close-up images. The low-light performance remains excellent in terms of color accuracy and detail, while the telephoto performance is still suitable for portrait shooting but falls short in terms of reach. For this, the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 5x zoom is the preferable option.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
The iPhone 13 Pro is noticeably different from Apple’s latest flagship, having already been eclipsed in terms of appearance by the iPhone 14 Pro. This year, the California maker introduces a revamped design with fewer protruding edges and, most importantly, a new material.
While the iPhone 13 Pro, like the 15 Pro, has glass on the front and back, the flashy stainless-steel frame has been replaced with a matte titanium frame, which works well. In addition to eliminating fingerprints, the use of titanium reduces weight.
Since last year, Apple has replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, and the iPhone 13 Pro’s slimmer screen margins give it an aged appearance. Another significant change is that the silent mode slider has been replaced by an action button, which provides far more options.
The photo module is more visible on the back, with an island protruding rather than sinking into the body. In a minor change, the photo module is now the same color as the rest of the back. By the way, Apple has finally replaced the Lightning port with USB-C throughout the iPhone lineup.
As previously stated, the biggest differences on the screen are the Dynamic Island and the thinner margins. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel is still available, as is the 120Hz refresh rate with Pro Motion mode, but the resolution varies just slightly.
One of the most noticeable differences is the iPhone 15 Pro’s Always on Display function. The brightness on the iPhone 15 Pro increases to 2000 Nits, up from 1000 Nits.
Both variants are IP68 certified with Ceramic Shield glass protection. The iPhone 13 Pro is available in Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro is offered in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Nature Titanium.
HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?
When it comes to performance, I believe the A17 Pro vs A15 Bionic is a no-brainer. The iPhone 15 Pro will have far superior performance than the 13 Pro, however the latter will still be powerful enough in 2024 to ensure a satisfying experience.
The A15 Bionic has 6 CPU cores, 5 GPU cores, and 16 cores for the Neural Engine. The updated 17 Pro SoC has the same functionality but with an additional GPU core and Ray Tracing. The iPhone 13 Pro has 6GB of RAM, compared to 8GB on Apple’s current flagship. We can easily observe that the iPhone 15 Pro outperforms the iPhone 13 Pro. Unsurprisingly, storage is not extendable, and you may choose between 128, 256, 512 GB, or 1 TB in both situations.
In terms of connectivity, the iPhone 15 Pro has Wi-Fi 6E versus Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 versus Bluetooth 5.0, and UWB 2 vs. UWB 1. The iPhone 15 Pro is also the only one of the two that supports emergency SOS via satellite and accident detection.
GET THE IPHONE 15 PRO FOR:
- The lightweight body and softened corners provide a more comfortable grip.
- The higher-resolution 24MP photographs.
- The speedier A17 Pro chip.
- The ubiquitous USB-C port supports USB 3.2 transfer speeds and provides more connectivity choices.
GET THE IPHONE 13 PRO FOR:
- The more opulent appearance and feel of stainless steel.
- The lesser price.
- The Lightning port, if you’re still attached.
