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Intro
Unlike its 2022 predecessor, the iPhone 15 finally introduced enough upgrades to its spec sheet to deserve to be called a 'new generation'. From a new 48MP main camera that's much more capable than the 12MP on the iPhone 13, to replacing the notch with the Dynamic Island, the new base iPhone is shaping up to be a more worthy upgrade.
But is it "worthy" enough? Well, for many, the answer might be a resounding "no." Unless you really want that jump in image quality that comes with the new camera, or the USB-C port, there is little else that would nudge you to upgrade from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 15.
With the iPhone 16 around the corner, neither the iPhone 15 nor the iPhone 13 will be terribly outdated, but it's apparent that the iPhone 13 will be the first one that will have to get upgraded.
Enough beating around the bush, though, let us take a closer look at the differences and similarities between these two phones!
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Apple reaches the Dynamic Island and discovers USB-C
The family ties are definitely obvious for just about anyone who has ever laid eyes on a modern iPhone.
Apple has slowly been working towards removing the iconic notch from its phones, and it finally managed to do so with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. That change did not come to the regular models last year, but the iPhone 15 remedies that by adopting the Dynamic Island.
Something that no one expected with the iPhone 15 series was its new back panel, which now comes with a matte finish, so it should feel noticeably different in the hand compared to the iPhone 13. The other difference in design is the USB-C port that has been so hotly debated.
Speaking of the new USB-C connector, unlike the iPhone 13 which came with a USB-C to Lightning cable, iPhone 15 comes with a new USB-C to USB-C braided cable that should be more durable in comparison.
The rest of the iPhone 15 shares a lot of design cues with the iPhone 13, including the IP68 dust and water resistance rating. There is a minor distinction, however, namely the slightly curved edges at the intersection of the aluminum frame and the new matte back panel, which is expected to enhance the phone's ergonomics.
Display Differences
Two generations later, still no ProMotion
The iPhone 13 comes with a 6.1" OLED display, with a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz and a peak brightness of around 1200 nits. The iPhone 15 comes with a higher peak brightness of 2000 nits, but it keeps the same 60Hz refresh rate. A big disappointment for many.
Sadly, Apple is still staying away from adding a higher refresh rate screen to its non-Pro models even in 2023. It would have been a nice surprise, though, if we at least got to see a 90Hz panel added to this year's base iPhones.
Of course, we can't forget to mention the Dynamic Island, and therefore the official "death" of the notch that the iPhone 13 comes with.
The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set(area)of colors that a display can reproduce,with the sRGB colorspace(the highlighted triangle)serving as reference.The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x:CIE31' and 'y:CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.
The Color accuracy chart gives an idea of how close a display's measured colors are to their referential values. The first line holds the measured (actual) colors, while the second line holds the reference (target) colors. The closer the actual colors are to the target ones, the better.
The Grayscale accuracy chart shows whether a display has a correct white balance(balance between red,green and blue)across different levels of grey(from dark to bright).The closer the Actual colors are to the Target ones,the better.
According to our tests, the iPhone 13 can't really hit those maximum brightness levels that the iPhone 15 can, but on the other hand, the older phone has a slightly more accurate color temperature. Not that you'll notice it: both are spectacular when it comes to color reproduction.
Performance and Software
Faster processor and more RAM
Apple is known for not clearly stating how much RAM (memory) its phones have, but each year it gets revealed through released benchmark results. The iPhone 13 came with 4GB of RAM, but the iPhone 15 has 6GB, and it is the faster type called LPDDR5 memory. All of this means that, compared to the 2021 model, the iPhone 15 can handle more tasks simultaneously and feel overall faster.
As for the chipset, it is an upgrade from Apple's A15 Bionic to the A16 (also seen in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max), which has a 24-28% boost in graphics performance thanks to a new penta-core GPU. Here are the benchmark results we got during our testing.
As you can see, the A16 Bionic beats the A15 both in single and multi-core processing speed, as well as graphical performance, and it is in no small margin. All of this boost in power means that the iPhone 15 is more capable and faster, but given how good the A15 inside the iPhone 13 is, most people won't notice the difference unless they use apps that require that higher horsepower of the newer model.
Software-wise, the iPhone 15 launched with iOS 17 straight out of the box, which is also supported by the iPhone 13. That being said, the iPhone 15, being the newer model, will continue to get software updates at least two years after they stop for the iPhone 13. Although, to be fair, Apple supports its phones for so long that this difference might not matter.
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Camera
Better in all regards
The iPhone 13 had great cameras when it was released, and they still offer stellar performance two years later. That being said, the iPhone 15 has a new 48MP main camera, matching the megapixel count on the Pro models.
The iPhone 15 can utilize each one of these 48 megapixels to create highly detailed images. Even with the 24MP default mode that the new base model shoots in, the images still look extremely sharp, with more vivid colors, striking a nice balance between quality and file size.
Lastly, there are also some camera software improvements that are worth mentioning. For example, the Smart HDR mode now offers more true-to-life colors with brighter highlights and darker shadows. Night mode is improved too, now delivering low-light photos with more vibrant colors and higher detail.
The new 48MP camera also allows for a 2X sensor crop, so images taken at 2X zoom come out as though they are shot by a dedicated telephoto camera, essentially making the iPhone 15 feel like it has not 2 but 3 cameras on its back. The iPhone 13, on the other hand, has to resort to a digital zoom which takes away from the image quality by a significant margin.
Portrait mode has seen a glow up too, helping the iPhone 15 create what Apple calls 'next-generation portraits.' Thanks to this upgrade a regular photo can be transformed to a Portrait after it has been taken. What's more, you can also switch the focus of a portrait photo to a different person after the capture.
Do you see a major difference in video quality between these two?
Audio Quality and Haptics
Both the speakers and haptics on the iPhone 13 are already great, to begin with. The iPhone 15 doesn't have have anything new to add and make them better. Suffice it to say, the audio profile continues to be a well-balanced one, with good amounts of bass from the bottom and earpiece speaker duo.
Haptic feedback is also unchanged between these two generations, albeit that is not much of a disappointment given how tight and strong it feels anyways.
Battery Life and Charging
Slightly better battery life in some cases
One of the things that made the iPhone 13 popular in 2021 was its outstanding battery life. While the iPhone 14 series improved on that end ever so slightly (minus the battery life issues of the iPhone 14 Pro), the iPhone 15 doesn't seem to offer anything more.
As you can see from the results of our custom battery tests, which are all conducted with the displays set at 200 nits of brightness, the iPhone 13 in fact beats what is supposed to be its improved version in two of the three battery life categories. It is only in the gaming test that the iPhone 15 manages to come on top, most likely because the new A16 chipset is better at handling graphic-intensive tasks.
As for charging, there is the new USB-C port, but the change simply affects the type of cable you can plug in. The charging speeds remain as those on the iPhone 13, i.e. 20W wired and 15W wireless with MagSafe.
Specs Comparison
Check out a summary of both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13's specs below:
iPhone 15
iPhone 13
Size, weight
5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches, 6.03 oz (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, 171.0 g)
5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 inches, 6.14 oz (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm, 174.0 g)
If you own an iPhone 13 and you feel like you need to upgrade, the iPhone 15 warrants a significant enough jump in multiple areas. You get a much better camera system that comes with new features, better-quality images, and improved low-light capabilities. There is also the A16 Bionic, which comes with higher performance in graphic-intensive scenarios.
As for the design, there is the Dynamic Island, which offers new functionality and interaction with the phone's UI, so if you have wanted to try that out this is a good chance. Additionally, the USB-C port can save you that hassle of having to swap between different cables for all of your devices.
That being said, if you are unsure whether you want to upgrade to a newer phone from your iPhone 13, the iPhone 15 might not offer enough to change your mind. Yes, it has some significant perks that make it very appealing, but the 2021 base iPhone is still a great phone even two years later.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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