Model numbers vary by market. Not to be confused with the iPhone 13 mini, the iPhone 13 Pro or the iPhone 12.
| Announced | September 14, 2021 |
| Released | September 24, 2021 |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 5G | Yes (sub-6 GHz on all models; mmWave on US models) |
| Bands | Vary by model number; see Apple's regional specification pages |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm |
| Weight | 174 g |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back |
| Water and dust resistance | IP68 (up to 6 m for 30 minutes) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM (dual Nano-SIM in China) |
| Colors | Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, Green |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Size | 6.1 inches |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 pixels (about 460 ppi) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Peak brightness | 800 nits typical; up to 1,200 nits peak HDR |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield |
| Features | HDR10, Dolby Vision, True Tone, wide color (P3), smaller notch |
| OS | iOS 15 (at launch) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| RAM | 4 GB (reported; not published by Apple) |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Card Slot | No |
| Main | 12 MP, f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120° field of view |
| Telephoto | None |
| Front | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video recording | 4K up to 60 fps (Dolby Vision HDR); Cinematic mode up to 1080p at 30 fps; slo-mo 1080p at 120 or 240 fps |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Ultra Wideband | Yes (U1 chip) |
| USB | Lightning |
| Face ID | Yes |
| Sensors | Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor |
| Capacity | 3227 mAh (reported; not published by Apple) |
| Wired Charging | Fast charging, about 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter (adapter not included) |
| Wireless | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W |
| Launch price (US, USD) | $799 (128GB) |
| Availability | Discontinued by Apple; availability varies by region |
Prices are provided for reference and may change over time. Actual prices vary by region, retailer, storage configuration, taxes, and promotions. Check with local retailers for the latest price.
This is an editorial analysis of the specifications listed on this page. It is not based on SpecHub lab testing, so it makes no claims about benchmarks, battery life or camera results. Manufacturer lab figures are not reproduced here.
The iPhone 13 is the standard model of Apple's 2021 lineup, released on September 24, 2021 at $799 in the US. Compared with the iPhone 12 it has a newer chip, a larger reported battery, a smaller notch and 128GB of starting storage. It was aimed at buyers who wanted the main iPhone experience of that year. It is now an older phone.
The Apple A15 Bionic is a 5 nm chip with a six-core CPU and a four-core GPU. Independent sources report 4GB of RAM, which Apple does not publish. Storage is 128GB, 256GB or 512GB with no card slot. SpecHub has not benchmarked the phone.
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display has 1170 x 2532 pixels (about 460 ppi) and a 60Hz refresh rate. Apple rates it for 800 nits typical and up to 1,200 nits peak in HDR, which is brighter in typical use than the 625 nits of the iPhone 12. The notch is smaller than before.
The rear cameras are a 12MP main (f/1.6, sensor-shift stabilization) and a 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4, 120 degrees). There is no telephoto lens, which the Pro models add. The front camera is 12MP. Apple lists 4K video up to 60 fps with Dolby Vision and a Cinematic mode. SpecHub has not tested image quality.
Apple does not publish battery capacity. Independent sources report 3227 mAh, compared with 2815 mAh reported for the iPhone 12. Apple states about 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter, which is not included. Wireless charging supports MagSafe at up to 15W and Qi at up to 7.5W. We have no endurance tests, and an older battery may hold less charge today.
The phone launched with iOS 15 and supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and Ultra Wideband. It has Face ID, MagSafe and an IP68 rating up to 6 metres for 30 minutes. SIM options are a Nano-SIM plus an eSIM, or two Nano-SIMs in China.
Buyers who want a well-rounded older iPhone with 5G, OLED, MagSafe and a decent battery will find it a sensible choice at a secondhand price.
People who want a 120Hz display, a telephoto lens or USB-C should look at a Pro model or a newer iPhone. Those who want a smaller body can consider the iPhone 13 mini.
The iPhone 13 is a balanced older iPhone with good battery capacity for its generation. Its 60Hz screen and lack of a telephoto lens are the main limits.
Best Compact iPhone
Pro Flagship
Best Everyday iPhone
Classic iPhone