Expert review Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13 128GB Black
- You can watch movies and series in high quality on the sharp, 6.1-inch OLED screen.
- The large battery lasts an entire day without charging with average use.
- You can take razor-sharp photos with the different cameras in this device.
- A charger and earbuds aren't included by default, so you'll have to purchase them separately.
- You don't have a telephoto lens to zoom in without quality loss, like with the iPhone 13 Pro (Max).
First impression of the Apple iPhone 13
The Apple iPhone 13 comes in the well-known flat packaging. Since 2020, a charger and earbuds aren't included by default anymore. You have to purchase them separately. When I take the device out of the box, I see the Lightning to USB-C cable and a small folder with a SIM card needle, an Apple sticker, and some booklets.
Recognizable design
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Slimmer notch.
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Other position of the lenses.
The design of the iPhone 13 is almost the same as the iPhone 12. I see the recognizable, flat, matte, aluminum sides and the glass back with the Apple logo. The largest change is the smaller notch, the larger camera island, and the position of the 2 lenses on the back. The microphone and speaker are now located above the selfie camera and the sensors. Despite the minimal amount of changes, it's still a beautiful device that feels comfortable to hold.
Brighter screen
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display is nice for watching movies and series. I watch my favorites in the highest quality, which makes the colors pop on the screen. The iPhone 13 supports HDR 10 and Dolby Vision. Movies and series that support this look even better. The screen has also become brighter. I notice the screen is better readable in brightly-lit areas, like outside in the sunlight.
Longer battery life thanks to the A15 Bionic chip
What stands out is the improved battery life. This improvement is largely due to the energy-efficient A15 Bionic chip. I can now stream up to 15 hours of videos via Apple TV+. That's 4 hours longer than with its predecessor. Besides, I can reach the end of the day with the iPhone 13. With the iPhone 12, I often had to charge the device at the beginning of the evening. I also notice this improvement with the Mini version. I can stream videos for 3 hours longer than with the iPhone 12 Mini.
Improved camera with special 'Cinematic mode'
On the back of the device, I find a regular lens and a wide-angle lens. Both lenses support 'Night mode'. That way, I can even take sharp photos at night. I notice the image stabilization of the wide-angle lens has been improved. Every photo I take with the wide-angle lens looks good and sharp. The new 'Cinematic mode' is a kind of portrait mode for videos. The focus will automatically switch to the object that moves the most. You can adjust this at the end, which is nice. Our vlogger will explain everything to you in the video review.
Smaller size, same options
Since the iPhone 12, there's also a Mini version available. The iPhone 13 Mini has a 5.4-inch screen, which makes it even more compact. I don't have the largest hands myself. That's why the Mini version is easier to control with 1 hand than its larger brother. I can now reach the top of the screen. Except for the shorter battery life, the iPhone 13 Mini has the exact same functions as the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 Mini is no longer available, but you can still buy it as a refurbished iPhone.
Conclusion
The Apple iPhone 13 is one of the best smartphones at the moment. Thanks to the A15 chip, the device is really fast, has an excellent camera, and the battery lasts an entire day. Do you have the iPhone 12? You won't get many new functions, unless you value small updates like the camera and the screen. If you have an iPhone 11 or older version, the Apple iPhone 13 (Mini) is a good upgrade.
