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We updated our iPhone 13 Pro review in 2023 to guarantee that our pricing information is accurate and that stockist links reflected up-to-date prices. We have also tested the newer iPhone 14 Pro out since its launch, and it is a top pick within our best smartphones roundup. However, the iPhone 13 Pro that we reviewed in 2021 is still worth it for a flagship handset with high-end cameras. While Apple doesn’t sell it anymore, you can find refurbished handsets at affordable prices online.
What's impressive about the Apple iPhone 13 Pro?
Apple revealed four new phones in 2021: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. We managed to get our hands on the range, and you can scroll down to read our thoughts.
While the iPhone 13 model didn’t get much of an update this year, the Pro version got several new toys, including a faster processor, a longer battery, and a significantly better display. If you’re making the upgrade from an iPhone 11 or older you will notice a huge difference in performance overall and the new display makes all the difference.
Here are the key specifications, at a glance:
- Screen size: 6.1 inch
- Resolution: 2532 x 1170
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- Cameras: 3 x rear cameras (12MP wide angle, 12MP ultra-wide angle, 12MP telephoto) 12MP (wide) front camera
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage space: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- MicroSD card slot: No
- Weight: 204g
iPhone 13 Pro: Display
The screen has been given a 120Hz refresh rate, which is double what it was on older phones. This means that when you scroll through your apps or watch shows like The Great British Bake Off on BBC iPlayer, the images will move faster and feel smoother. This also improves response time, so apps open quicker and the news page you’re reading glides across the screen as soon as you touch it.
iPhone 13 Pro: Battery life
All four handsets got a battery extension over their predecessors, and the iPhone 13 Pro will now last around 22 hours, 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12.
iPhone 13 Pro: Camera
The cameras remain largely the same as the iPhone 12 Pro, but Apple has now upgraded the filming quality on the new handsets. A new feature allows the phone to automatically switch focus on faces when recording.
This will likely go unused for most people who aren’t hobbyist smartphone filmmakers, but if you take a lot of video you’ll appreciate the change, and it’s just one part of a number of software improvements to make your videos even better.
iPhone 13 Pro: Storage
This is also the first time Apple has included a huge 1TB internal storage option on its handsets, doubling the usual storage of the premium models from previous years. This is a big upgrade, as it gives you enough space to store up to 250,000 photos or around 1.6 million PDF documents.
Is the iPhone 13 Pro worth buying in 2023?
While we love the iPhone 14 Pro and think it does make for a noticeable upgrade over the 13 Pro, there isn’t a huge amount of difference between these two phones in day-to-day use. If you’re looking to make a saving, an iPhone 13 Pro still feels like a lightning-fast and powerful smartphone in 2023, running Apple’s latest software and still taking fantastic photos. If you think you’d miss out on the high-res 48MP camera, always-on display or new processor, then it may be worth looking at the newer iPhone 14 Pro. However, it’s worth remembering that new iPhones always launch later on in the year. If you can wait, it might pay off.
Pros
- Fantastic display
- Loads of battery life
- Excellent for photography
Cons
- No always-on display
- Newer iPhone 14 Pro has better cameras
The GH hands-on trial
What we liked
Of all the new iPhones to release in 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro gets the biggest upgrade. We’ve been using the iPhone 12 Pro for the last year, but could still see a difference in performance and overall quality, particularly when it comes to the display and the battery life.
Navigating all our apps and scrolling through social media feels much more responsive, and the smoother motion almost lifts the images off the screen, making them pop with colour and quality. This is especially noticeable when playing Apple Arcade games like What Remains of Edith Finch, or Candy Crush, and generally makes gaming on the handset more enjoyable.
The phone lasts almost 24 hours without being charged, which is great to suit our busy lifestyle. We’ve been charging it once a day and have found we still have at least 30% left over before we go to bed, despite using it to watch videos, answer emails, and check out social media regularly throughout the day.
The camera feels similar to the iPhone 12 Pro we used to have, though our night shots do seem to capture a bit more brightness. We love using portrait mode to give a soft blur in the background of our shots, and the detail from our images is always sharp, even in difficult lighting.
Take note
We do think this phone is probably a bit too much for the average user, particularly if you’re not regularly watching BBC iPlayer or Netflix on your phone or you’re not taking pictures on your day out. Around £1,000 outright is a high price to pay if you’re not using all the features, and many people could probably save themselves a lot of money and go for the more affordable and smaller iPhone 13 Mini or iPhone 13.
How the GH Tech Team tests smartphones
We test the boot-up time and processing speed of phones, noting down lag times and speed when opening apps, playing games and web browsing can be done with less lag. We also evaluate the call quality, camera performance, speaker sound quality, how responsive the screen is, and how long the battery lasts when playing videos.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
Owen Gough is an expert in all things tech, including top deals, phone upgrades, wearables, audio gear and gaming. You can get in touch with Owen on Twitter @OwenGough
