The iPhone 13 has been on sale for a few months now – is now the right time to buy a model from the new series? Or should it rather be one of the predecessors, such as the iPhone 12, the iPhone 11 or even the last remaining iPhone with a home button, the iPhone SE from 2020. COMPUTER BILD makes the iPhone comparison (prices: as of February 1, 2022) .
The iPhone 13 Pro Max (front) and 13 Pro, both with three cameras.
Test winner: iPhone 13 Pro (Max)
The iPhone 13 Pro models are the best smartphones Apple has released to date. The very bright 120 Hertz display and the good camera, which impresses even in low light and with the new triple telephoto, are impressive. Both models are technically similar. Simply choose the size you like: the iPhone 13 Pro (display diagonal: 6.1 inches) is handy, while the large display of the iPhone 13 Pro Max (6.7 inches) is ideal for video, internet and office . A key selling point for the 13 Pro Max, however, is the battery life: Almost 14 hours of endurance – the iPhone 13 Pro Max not only beats all previous iPhones, but also most of the top-class Android competitors by far. Price at the time of testing: 1,100 euros (iPhone 13 Pro) and 1,250 euros (iPhone 13 Pro Max).
The iPhone XR tested by COMPUTER BILD
The iPhone XR has the best price-performance ratio. It only has one camera lens and the screen still uses low-contrast LCD technology. But if you don’t switch from a smartphone with an OLED display (e.g. Samsung Galaxy) to an iPhone, you will hardly notice it. The screen is as big as the current iPhone 13, the working speed is okay – and Face ID is already on board. However, it was released in 2018, so modern technology such as 5G is missing. Is more up-to-date hardware more important to you than a large display? Then the iPhone 12 mini could be an alternative. It offers similar features as the more expensive one iPhone 13 mini, the display brightness and the battery runtime are worse. Price at the time of testing: 444 euros (iPhone XR) or 620 euros (iPhone 12 mini).
The iPhone 13 has a bright and high-contrast OLED with great colors.
This is how COMPUTER BILD tests smartphones
COMPUTER BILD tests every smartphone in its own laboratory according to standardized test procedures – partly based on established standards, partly with specially developed tests. In the cell phone camera test, for example, the photo quality is evaluated both with the help of renowned analysis software and with the visual test of the testers themselves. For the COMPUTER BILD cell phone battery test, the laboratory programmed a robot in such a way that it puts the smartphones in an endless loop with typical applications (e.g. surfing, telephoning, video recording) until the battery is empty. Incidentally, the latest iPhone 13 models do quite well when it comes to battery life. On the other hand, the iPhones get bad marks for the charging speed, where the Android devices are superior. The charging progress is not determined using the imprecise percentage display, but by measuring the charging current flow.
Why an iPhone at all?
Most smartphones run with Android, Xiaomi smartphones or Realme smartphones often offer good technology such as large OLED displays for little money, and Samsung’s A series also offers decent technology from around 300 euros. iPhones, on the other hand, are expensive and offer less freedom, for example when it comes to data transfer. Nevertheless, there are a few arguments in favor of the iPhone:
- Long updates: iOS 15 even runs on the iPhone 6S from 2015.
- Privacy: Apple collects less data than Google on Android. For example, the location is not passed on to Google in the background, there are more extensive blocks against data collection than with Android.
- Operation from a single source: Although iOS has become more complicated, the operating concept is clearer and there are fewer confusing options.
- Tailored to the Apple world: Those who use several Apple devices or Apple services benefit from more convenience in everyday life.
- value stability: iPhones lose value less quickly than their Android counterparts, and are often used longer.
- Balanced performance: iPhones are often worse than some Android smartphones in individual test categories (e.g. charging speed, extreme zoom photo quality). But in the end, the performance is better across all test points. The much more effective use of the battery capacity is also noticeable.
Apple iPhone 13 mini (left) in size comparison with the iPhone 13.
iPhone 13: The best buy for almost everyone
Compared to its predecessor, Apple has improved exactly the right points with the iPhone 13: The main camera takes pictures that are just as good as those of the 12 Pro Max, the display is finally really bright – and the iPhone 13 has made a big leap in terms of battery life, In this discipline, the smartphone is even better than the 13 Pro. Unfortunately, a telephoto lens is still missing. And technology fans should also miss the 120 Hertz display of the Pro versions. In a separate article we will discuss the question: iPhone 12 or 13 – which one to buy? Price at the time of testing: 820 euros.
The little superstar: iPhone 13 mini
Really compact smartphones have become rare. The iPhone 13 mini is the best handy smartphone. And compared to previous big bangers like the iPhone 8 Plus (5.5-inch display), its display (5.4-inch) isn’t even that small. Technically, the iPhone 13 mini offers a similarly good performance as the larger iPhone 13 (6.1 inches). When it comes to battery life and display brightness, it also depends iPhone 12 mini away. Price at the time of testing: 750 euros.
The iPhone with the best camera: iPhone 13 Pro
The iPhone 13 Pro took the best photos in the test (similar iPhone 13 Pro Max). The main camera enables the best photo quality (even in low light), but the ultra-wide-angle lens and the telephoto lens with triple optical zoom are also impressive – even if they don’t allow for extreme magnification. If you want to process images later on the computer, you can also save photos in Apple RAW format. Warning: RAW photos take up memory.
Which iPhone to buy used?
Used iPhones are worthwhile if the battery still has a capacity of over 90 – or even better 95 percent. A used iPhone 7 currently offers the cheapest entry into the Apple world. It is still suitable for the update to iOS 15, delivers just passable performance and is available in new condition or as a refurbished device in stores. Price at the time of the test: around 250 euros from the dealer, around 90 euros according to the Smartphone Schwacke list via Ebay. An even cheaper alternative as a used device (if possible with a new battery and at least 64 GB of storage capacity) is the iPhone 6S, one of the most stable smartphones that Apple has ever built – and probably the last iPhone with a classic headphone jack. Like the iPhone 7, it also has NFC for wireless payment via Apple Pay and also gets iOS 15. However, the 6S works quite slowly, so it is only worthwhile for cheap offers under 100 euros or for takeovers among friends. You can get it on Ebay for around 50 euros.
iPhone accessories: what you need
Since October 2020, Apple has only been shipping new iPhones with a USB-C Lightning cable. You have to buy the headset and power supply yourself. Unless you have any old accessories around the house, here’s what you need:
- Headphones/Headset: Bluetooth headphones are recommended here, and small true wireless headphones in particular for on the go. Tip: Apple’s AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro or newer Beats headphones with an Apple H1 chip make it easy to switch between several Apple products that are registered with the same Apple ID.
- Jack adapter: To connect headphones with a jack plug, you need the Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm jack adapter from Apple (around 9 euros).
- Power adapter: Any iPhone power adapter with a Lightning cable will also work on the new iPhones. For the USB-C-to-Lightning cable that has been included with new devices since October 2020, you need a power supply unit with a USB-C socket. A great side effect: loading is much faster. The official Apple 20W USB-C power adapter is available for around 25 euros, other USB-C power supplies such as the Anker Nano are a few euros cheaper. Tip: More powerful USB-C notebook power supplies also work. The Apple MagSafe charger (just under 40 euros) is recommended for wireless charging. The test of the best power supplies for the iPhone provides more details.
- AppleWatch: The Apple Watch mirrors iPhone notifications on the wrist and also offers many fitness and sports functions. Important in times of a pandemic: With the mask on, even unlocking the iPhone via Apple Watch works smoothly.
Anker Nano Power Supply (20W) at Amazon
FAQ: Which iPhone should I buy?
Which is the best iPhone?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is Apple’s top model. In the smartphone leaderboard, it clearly surpasses its predecessor, the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Best values for battery life, working speed, display and camera are decisive for victory.
Which iPhone takes the best pictures?
The iPhone 13 Pro (and its larger variant, the 13 Pro Max) take the best photos. The main camera has a very large and bright sensor, the telephoto camera is stronger than before with 3x optical magnification. The ultra wide-angle technology is quite high-quality and also serves as a macro lens. The regular iPhone 13 only has two cameras.
When is the iPhone 14 coming out?
Only Apple knows for sure until the official launch. Typically, new iPhones are unveiled on a Tuesday evening in early or mid-September each year. Sales then start at the end of September or beginning of October. The iPhone 13, for example, was introduced on September 14, 2021, could be pre-ordered from September 17 and finally went on sale on September 24. Thus, a presentation of the iPhone 14 on September 13th would be conceivable.