iPhone 13 Review: Why It's Still Worth It In 2023

iPhone 13 Review

If you've landed on this review, you're probably wondering whether the iPhone 13 is still worth buying in 2024.

Even though it's been a few years now since its original release in 2021, this device still has some evergreen features that could put some of the latest mid-range smartphones to the test, including having a fantastic rear camera system, chipset, and design.

Wondering how it performs in day-to-day life? Keep reading to find out more.

Are you in the market for a new phone? If so, explore our range of refurbished iPhones at UR.co.uk. Each one comes with a range of perks, including 12 months of FREE insurance and more, designed to make your new tech journey even better.

• The iPhone 13's camera arrangement provides vivid photos with rich contrast.

• This smartphone comes with a good battery life for all-day usage.

• Even though it still has that small notch at the top of the screen, standard 13 has an upgraded display for an improved viewing experience.

Note: These specs remain constant whether it's a brand-new iPhone or one refurbished by UR.co.uk. This is all with the help of our 90-point phone checks, which ensure the device works like new upon arrival.

• Fantastic colour options.

• Lighter to hold in one hand. 

The refurbished iPhone 13 looks remarkably similar to the refurbished Apple iPhone 12 from a distance.

The standard 13 measures just 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.65 mm and weighs 173g. It's slightly heavier than the iPhone 12 by 0.11 grams but not as substantial as its predecessor —the iPhone 11, which weighs 194g. 

Though these changes are minor, the lighter construction makes the phone easier to carry and more convenient to place in your pocket without the extra weight and size pulling you down.

Like the previous 12 variant, the iPhone 13 has a similar angular structure, showcasing a completely flat back and front with flat edges. There are some minor adjustments in the location of the power switch and volume buttons, which have now been pushed down slightly on each side to make them more comfortable to press when holding in one hand.

But the fun really starts with its array of colour options. This phone comes in blue, pink, and green, among other colours; However, we particularly favour the first two, as they are vibrant yet not overwhelming.

Verdict?  The iPhone 13 exceeds in both looks and usability, even if changes are minor from the previous version.

• Brighter display.

• Excellent colour accuracy.

Honestly, the Apple iPhone 13 display isn't quite as advanced as the refurbished iPhone 15, but you get more than enough features to provide a seamless viewing experience.

The iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display boasting a 2532 x 1170 pixel resolution at 460 ppi. If this looks familiar, it's because it has nearly the same specs as the iPhone 12, offering the same fantastic colour accuracy and smooth transitions when performing a range of tasks.

However, this time around, Apple has enhanced the iPhone 13's screen brightness, which now reaches 800 nits for typical settings, 200 nits up from the previous models. Read more about the specs here.

These slight changes mean the iPhone 13 provides a noticeably improved viewing experience in direct sunlight, more so than some of the latest Android phones currently on the market.

 Verdict?  It provides an excellent viewing experience for day-to-day tasks. 

• New photographic styles for more flexibility when editing pictures. 

• It has the same beloved features found in previous iPhones, like Night mode and Portrait mode photos.

• It also arrives in cinematic mode, which was new at its release. 

Now, this is where the refurbished Apple iPhone 13 truly shines through.

The iPhone 13 features two rear cameras—a 12MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera—along with a 12MP selfie camera on the front. Megapixel-wise, both the main and ultrawide lens are similar to the iPhone 12, minus some slight improvements in the ultrawide's apertures, which is now designed to gather 47% more light for better low-light performance.

You don't quite receive the extra telephoto lens found in the Pro or Pro Max versions, meaning you must rely on digital zoom to take long-distance shots.

Yet, you do receive a new function unfounded in any previous generation.

New to the iPhone 13 is the Photographic Styles feature found in the camera app. This function provides more options to adjust your photos to your liking, such as improving saturation, vibrancy, and contrast.

You also gain the new Cinematic Mode, designed to improve video quality by enhancing depth-of-field effects in real-time, making your videos look more professional by automatically adjusting focus on the subject. This creates a cinematic feel that was once exclusive to high-end cameras.

Verdict : Given its price tag, the iPhone 13's camera system is remarkably impressive.

• Better battery life than the previous models that lasts longer in video playback.

• Has wireless charging.

• Fantastic processing power, even by today's standards.

We understand that sometimes buying slightly older tech also comes with concerns about processing power. Will it perform daily tasks smoothly or lag simply by watching a video?

Luckily, the Apple iPhone 13 doesn't seem to encounter either of these issues in benchmark and daily-use tests.

This device has an A15 Bionic chipset, which Apple claims offers 50% faster CPU and 30% faster GPU performance than previous generations. This translates into real-life performance.

As explored here, the iPhone 13 out does the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra in single-core and multicore processing, meaning that the phone is better when undertaking high-demanding tasks, arguably more so than some of the most luxurious Samsung phones out there.

It also has improved battery life, lasting 2 hours longer in video playback than the iPhone 12. Plus, the iPhone 13 has wireless charging capabilities, which offers a blend of convenience and efficiency that remains competitive even in the current market.

Verdict:  Offers fantastic processing power even years after its initial release. 

Concluding thoughts on our iPhone 13 review?

You're bound to have a great time with this phone, whether using FaceTime during work hours or catching up with friends.

Plus, when you purchase from UR.co.uk, it also arrives with £45 worth of FREE accessories, allowing you to save even more money along the way.

Take a look at our collection today!