I have been using the iPhone 13 for one and a half years now, and I believe I know every inch of this phone by now. It is my daily driver for everything I do, from my study material to my work demands. I use some of the same applications daily, such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Artifact, Google News, Instagram, and Telegram. I am telling you this so you can understand if our usage aligns somewhere.
Likes
- Display
- Camera
- Speakers
Dislikes
- Battery
The iPhone 13 still rocks the shelves. It is more or less the same as the iPhone 14. The two phones have the same screen size, look the same, and have many similarities.
It appears that the iPhone 13 is people’s first choice when getting a new iPhone, especially if they are on a budget. I asked a few friends and they said, why pay even 5 or 7 thousand extra for the same features? And I agree. The major difference is Action Mode and a better front camera, and for those for whom these features matter, go for the iPhone 14. Otherwise, please consider getting an iPhone 13.
Also Read | iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Which iPhone should YOU buy | Buyer’s guide
Display
The iPhone 13 comes with a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. As someone with a screen time of more than 6-7 hours a day on my iPhone alone, it works well for me. As you start using this phone, you will realize the beauty of OLED.
For example, setting a dark wallpaper will not only save your battery but will also look astonishing when you simply unlock the device. Try searching for “street light wallpaper” on Google and set it as your wallpaper. You’ll know what happens next.
Gaming Performance
I tried BGMI and the graphics work well even on the full graphics settings. However, as I aced more into this game, I discovered that the phone heats up, but this is after an extended period and not during the very first gameplay. Such things happen, and for me, it took around a year.
In the meantime, I also tried Asphalt 8, Call of Duty Mobile, and a few others, and the gameplay experience has been quite a comfortable ride thus far.
Software and mainly UI/UX
iOS works like butter on iPhones! There’s no doubt about that. I am currently using iOS 17 on my iPhone 13 128GB, and this may be subjective, but I love lockscreen widgets and also that tiny detail of how the time clock colours itself into the background or just hides.
Battery
Coming to the major con, the battery could have been a little better. Earlier, the battery used to last for me for a whole day. However, with time, the battery barely lasts for a quarter of the day. However, I understand that when I first used this device, the battery performance was hundred per cent, and it dropped down to 88% in nearly one and a half years, which could have been better. I have never used any charger other than the Apple 20-watt charger, which I purchased separately.
Speaker
The speakers on the iPhone 13 have been a delight, enhancing my entertainment experiences with streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. The audio quality is crisp and immersive, making it an ideal companion for watching movies and TV shows on the go. Whether I’m catching up on the latest series or enjoying a movie night, the iPhone 13’s speakers deliver clear, rich sound that complements the stunning OLED display. It’s this harmonious combination of audio and visual quality that makes my multimedia consumption on apps like Netflix an absolute pleasure.
Camera
The camera performance has been amazing thus far since the very beginning, with little to no complaints. It can capture great shots even during the night, and I found the cinematic mode very good because I was able to create some good cinematic shots.
However, needless to say, the front camera could have been better. One thing to note is that iPhones work great with third-party social media applications like Snapchat, Instagram, and even X (formerly Twitter). Although I am not very active on social media, I am a little fond of photography and love to click random pictures, especially of nature. Here are a few shots from my last trip to Shimla:
Final take: why should you get an iPhone 13 and why not?
If someone is confused about getting an iPhone 14 or iPhone 13, I would suggest that they go for the iPhone 14 if they can extend their budget. With the iPhone 14, you get an additional action mode on the camera, a bit more RAM, and most importantly, one extra year of software upgrade than Apple most probably will provide.
However, if the price difference is loud and big, like Rs 10,000, then you can safely settle for the iPhone 13. And if you can get more than 128GB, go for it, because it is worth it in the longer run.
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