iPhone 13 vs iPhone 14
Last updated
Specs from Apple.com
Category Scorecard
Size Comparison
Scaled at 1.2px per mm. Dimensions are identical — but cases are still not interchangeable due to camera bump differences.
Full Specifications
| Specification | iPhone 13 | iPhone 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 2021 | 2022 |
| Display | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz |
| Display type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532x1170 | 2532x1170 |
| PPI | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 800 nits typical; 1,200 nits peak HDR | 800 nits typical; 1,200 nits peak HDR |
| HDR display | Yes | Yes |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | No | No |
| Notch style | Classic notch | Classic notch |
| Chip | A15 Bionic; 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | A15 Bionic; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Main camera | 12MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12MP, f/1.5, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 12MP, f/2.4, 120° field of view | 12MP |
| Telephoto camera | Not published | Not published |
| Front camera | 12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 12MP |
| Video max | 4K Dolby Vision up to 60fps; Cinematic mode at 1080p/30 | 4K/60fps |
| Battery (video) | Up to 19 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Apple fast-charge adapter requirement | 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published | 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published |
| MagSafe charging | Yes, 15W | Yes, 15W |
| Connector | Lightning | Lightning |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Crash Detection | No | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | No | Yes |
| Dynamic Island | No | No |
| Camera Control | No | No |
| Action Button | No | No |
| Night Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | No | No |
| Apple lineup status | No longer sold by Apple, checked 2026-09-14 | No longer sold by Apple, checked 2026-09-14 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Frame / back | aluminum / glass | aluminum / glass |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.65 mm | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 174 g | 172 g |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
What changes from iPhone 13 to iPhone 14: battery and safety
The iPhone 14 is a small step from the iPhone 13 because both use the A15 Bionic. The concrete additions are Crash Detection, Emergency SOS via satellite, and a slightly wider main-camera aperture (f/1.5 vs f/1.6). If you already own an iPhone 13, upgrade for those safety features or the wider aperture; otherwise compare current iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 prices because the 15 adds a 48 MP camera and USB-C.
Display
The displays on the iPhone 13 and 14 are effectively the same: both use a 6.1-inch OLED panel at 460 ppi with a maximum brightness of 800 nits. Same resolution, same refresh rate at 60Hz, same classic notch. If you're choosing between these two phones based on the screen, there's no reason to prefer one over the other. Neither has ProMotion (that's a Pro feature).
Performance
Both phones run the A15 Bionic — the same chip generation. The only difference is that Apple gave the iPhone 14 the 5-core GPU variant of A15 (which was originally the Pro-only version in 2021), while the iPhone 13 shipped with a 4-core GPU. In real-world use, gaming at high settings and GPU-heavy workloads will run fractionally smoother on the 14, but the difference requires a benchmark to measure. Everyday tasks are identical.
Camera
The main sensor is 12MP on both, but the iPhone 14 widens the aperture from f/1.6 to f/1.5. A slightly wider aperture means a small amount more light reaches the sensor, which can produce marginally better shots in dim conditions. This is a real but modest improvement — not a generational upgrade. Both phones shoot 4K/60fps video, have a 12MP ultrawide, and no telephoto lens. Night mode performance is very similar.
Battery
Apple rates the iPhone 14 at 20 hours of video playback versus 19 hours on the 13 — a one-hour difference that's within normal day-to-day variation. Both use a 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim (maximum device draw is not published) and 15W MagSafe. The battery difference between these two phones is not a deciding factor.
Design & Build
The phones are the same height and width (146.7 × 71.5 mm), but the 14 is slightly thicker at 7.8mm versus the 13's 7.65mm — barely noticeable. The 14 also weighs 2g less (172g vs 174g). Both use aluminum frames, glass backs, IP68, and Lightning connectors. The camera bump grew slightly on the 14, which is why cases don't transfer. Overall, these are near-identical in hand.
Value
Because the 14 didn't offer a compelling leap, the 13 retained its value well — but that also means you can now find iPhone 14 units at discounts. If you're buying used or refurbished, check prices on both: the 13 will often be cheaper and the real-world difference is small. If paying full retail, skip both and consider the 15 instead for the larger camera upgrade.
Who Should Buy Which: when iPhone 14's safety features justify the move
Buy the iPhone 13 if…
- You find one at a meaningful discount and don't need Crash Detection
- You're upgrading from an iPhone X or 11 and want a solid OLED upgrade on a tight budget
- You prefer a slightly thinner phone (7.65mm vs 7.8mm on the 14)
- You plan to resell quickly and want to maximize the price-to-resale ratio
Buy the iPhone 14 if…
- You hike, ski, or travel in remote areas and want Emergency SOS via satellite as a safety net
- You drive a lot and want Crash Detection to automatically call 911 if you're in an accident
- You shoot photos in mixed light frequently and want the marginal low-light advantage of f/1.5
- The price difference to the 14 vs 13 is small and you want a slightly newer device
Case Compatibility
iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 cases are not compatible. Despite having the same external dimensions, the camera bump grew between generations and Apple confirmed the form factors differ enough that cases won't transfer. Always check the model listed on any case before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do iPhone 13 cases fit iPhone 14?
No. Despite having the same outer dimensions, the camera bump changed between the 13 and 14. Apple confirmed the cases are not interchangeable. You'll need a case specifically designed for the model you have.
Is the iPhone 14 camera better than iPhone 13?
Marginally. The main aperture opens up from f/1.6 to f/1.5, which lets in slightly more light. Both are 12MP sensors with OIS. In direct side-by-side testing, the 14 produces subtly better low-light shots, but this is not a difference most users would notice without comparison. It's nothing like the jump to the iPhone 15's 48MP sensor.
Should I upgrade from iPhone 13 to iPhone 14?
No, not at full price. The chip is the same generation, the display is identical, and the camera improvement is very small. The only new features are Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite. If those safety features matter to you, the 14 is worth it. Otherwise, either skip to the 15 for a larger camera upgrade, or keep the 13 until a larger upgrade comes along.