iPhone 13 vs iPhone 15
Last updated
Specs from Apple.com
Category Scorecard
Size Comparison
Scaled at 1.2px per mm. iPhone 15 is 0.9mm taller, 0.1mm wider.
Full Specifications
| Specification | iPhone 13 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 2021 | 2023 |
| Display | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz |
| Display type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532x1170 | 2556x1179 |
| PPI | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 800 nits typical; 1,200 nits peak HDR | 1,000 nits typical; 1,600 nits peak HDR; 2,000 nits peak outdoors |
| HDR display | Yes | Yes |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | No | No |
| Notch style | Classic notch | Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A15 Bionic; 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | A16 Bionic; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Main camera | 12MP, f/1.6, OIS | 48MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 12MP, f/2.4, 120° field of view | 12MP |
| Telephoto camera | Not published | No dedicated telephoto; 2x optical-quality Telephoto option is enabled by the 48MP Main sensor |
| 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 | USB-C (USB 2, up to 480Mb/s) |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 174 g | 171 g |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
The 48MP camera, Dynamic Island, and USB-C gap
The iPhone 15 moves the main camera from 12 MP to 48 MP, adds USB-C, Dynamic Island, the A16 Bionic, and satellite Emergency SOS. Both launched at $799. On current used or refurbished listings, compare storage, condition, and battery health rather than assuming one is cheaper.
Display
Both phones share a 6.1-inch OLED panel at 460 PPI and 60Hz — neither gets ProMotion. The iPhone 15 pulls ahead with 1000 nits peak brightness versus 800 nits on the 13, which makes outdoor reading noticeably easier. The bigger visible difference is the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15, which replaces the classic pill-shaped notch with an interactive cutout that surfaces notifications, timers, and live activities in a more usable way.
Performance
The iPhone 15 runs the A16 Bionic with 6 CPU cores and a 5-core GPU; the iPhone 13 has the A15 Bionic with a 4-core GPU. In day-to-day use both phones feel fast, but the A16 handles video editing, machine learning tasks, and sustained load more efficiently. The extra GPU core in the A16 makes a tangible difference in gaming and computational photography workloads.
Camera
The camera gap is widest here. The iPhone 15 ships with a 48MP main sensor versus the 13's 12MP — four times the raw pixel count, enabling lossless 2x zoom via in-sensor cropping and more low-light detail. Both have 12MP ultrawide cameras, but the 15 gains a 2x optical-quality crop from the 48MP main camera, not a dedicated telephoto lens. Video tops out at 4K/60fps on both, while the 15 benefits from the A16's improved ISP for noise reduction.
Battery
Apple rates the iPhone 15 at 20 hours of video playback versus 19 hours for the iPhone 13 — a marginal improvement. Both use a 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim (maximum device draw is not published) and 15W MagSafe wireless. Neither phone supports fast MagSafe charging beyond 15W, and neither has always-on display. If battery life is your primary concern, neither model stands out.
Design & Build
Both phones use an aluminum frame with glass back and carry IP68 water resistance. The iPhone 15 is marginally larger (147.6×71.6×7.8mm vs 146.7×71.5×7.65mm) and slightly lighter at 171g vs 174g. The most consequential design change is the switch from Lightning to USB-C on the 15, which means a single cable for laptops, accessories, and your phone. The 13 also lacks the satellite emergency SOS and Crash Detection features available on the 15.
Value
Both launched at $799. Compare current used listings with matching storage, condition, and battery health. If you are buying new, the 15 is the only option — Apple no longer sells the 13 new. For refurbished buyers, the 15 adds a materially better camera, USB-C, and satellite connectivity; decide whether those upgrades justify the live listing gap.
Who Should Buy Which: iPhone 15's modern hardware versus iPhone 13's value
Buy the iPhone 13 if…
- You find a refurbished unit in good condition and just need a reliable daily driver
- You already have a large Lightning accessory ecosystem you're not ready to replace
- Camera quality is not a priority for your use case
- You prefer the classic notch aesthetic
Buy the iPhone 15 if…
- You shoot a lot of photos and want 48MP detail and 2x zoom
- You want USB-C for universal charging and accessories
- You travel and want satellite emergency SOS as a safety net
- You want Dynamic Island and Crash Detection for daily life
Case Compatibility
iPhone 13 cases will NOT fit iPhone 15. The camera module design changed between the 2021 and 2023 generations. The iPhone 15 is also 0.9mm taller, 0.1mm wider, and 0.15mm thicker. If you're upgrading, budget for new cases — none of your existing iPhone 13 cases will transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is upgrading from iPhone 13 to iPhone 15 worth it?
Yes, for most users. The iPhone 15 brings a 48MP main camera (vs 12MP on the 13), USB-C instead of Lightning, Dynamic Island replacing the notch, satellite connectivity, and the A16 Bionic chip. If you use your camera heavily or want USB-C accessories, the upgrade is meaningful and justified.
Will iPhone 13 cases fit iPhone 15?
No. The camera module changed between 2021 and 2023, so iPhone 13 cases will not fit the iPhone 15. The 15 is also 0.9mm taller, 0.1mm wider, and 0.15mm thicker — button cutouts and camera openings will be misaligned.
What chip does the iPhone 15 have compared to iPhone 13?
The iPhone 15 uses the A16 Bionic with a 5-core GPU, while the iPhone 13 uses the A15 Bionic with a 4-core GPU. The A16 is roughly 20–25% faster in GPU tasks and handles the 48MP camera's computational workloads more efficiently than the A15 could manage.