iPhone 13 vs iPhone 16 Plus – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 16 Plus & iPhone 13 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 16 Plus rather than the iPhone 13

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Plus

  • The iPhone 16 Plus features the A18 chip with a more advanced Neural Engine for faster performance and efficient on-device AI tasks, while the iPhone 13 uses the older A15 Bionic chip with a less capable Neural Engine.
  • iPhone 16 Plus comes with a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display for a larger and more immersive viewing experience, whereas the iPhone 13 has a smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
  • It has a 48 MP wide camera for capturing sharper photos with higher detail and spatial video support, while the iPhone 13 includes a 12 MP wide camera that produces lower resolution images without spatial video.
  • The iPhone 16 Plus includes 8 GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding apps, whereas the iPhone 13 comes with 4 GB of RAM that is more limited in simultaneous performance.
  • iPhone 16 Plus supports USB-C charging with faster peak wired power and broader accessory compatibility, while the iPhone 13 uses the Lightning port with slower charging and limited compatibility.
  • It has a larger 4674 mAh battery for longer usage times of up to 27 hours video playback, whereas the iPhone 13 has a smaller 3227 mAh battery.
  • The iPhone 16 Plus supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster wireless speeds and more reliable connections, while the iPhone 13 uses Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • iPhone 16 Plus features an Action Button and Camera Control Button for customizable shortcuts and instant camera access, whereas the iPhone 13 lacks additional hardware buttons and relies only on touchscreen controls.

Maybe the iPhone 13 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 Plus. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureiPhone 16 PlusiPhone 13
Display size6.7-inch6.1-inch
Peak outdoor brightnessUp to ~2000 nits~1200 nits
ChipsetA18A15 Bionic
RAM8 GB4 GB
Neural/AI capabilityMuch larger Neural Engine and Apple Intelligence supportLegacy Neural Engine
iOS at launchiOS 18iOS 15
Apple Intelligence featuresSupportedNot supported
Rear main camera48 MP wide12 MP wide
Rear camera layoutVerticalDiagonal
Spatial video captureAvailableNot available
Video zoom rangeLonger digital rangeShorter digital range
Photonic/Smart HDR generationNewer generation and algorithmsEarlier generation
Action ButtonAvailableNot available
Camera Control/“Capture” ButtonAvailable (quick capture/mode)Not available
PortUSB-CLightning
Wired chargingUp to ~25 W peak (USB-C)~20 W peak
Wireless standardMagSafe (15 W) + Qi2 (magnetic 15 W)MagSafe (15 W) + Qi (7.5 W)
Battery capacity~4674 mAh~3227 mAh
Video playback (rated)Up to ~27 hoursUp to ~19 hours
Audio playback (rated)Up to ~100 hoursUp to ~75 hours
Connectivity (Wi-Fi)Wi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth version5.35.0
Ultra WidebandNewer UWBU1
5G eSIM/SIMeSIM-only in some regionsnano-SIM + eSIM
Satellite featuresEmergency SOS via satellite, roadside assistNot available
Maximum storageUp to 1 TBUp to 512 GB
Microphone systemImproved array and voice isolationOlder array
Thermal designEnhanced/updated thermal designConventional
SpeakersUpdated tuning/spatial audio improvementsEarlier tuning
Find My precision trackingMore precise with newer UWB and AI cuesStandard with U1
PriceCheck iPhone 16 Plus PriceCheck iPhone 13 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Super Retina XDR OLED Displays: Both phones rely on Apple’s high-quality OLED panels branded as Super Retina XDR, providing deep blacks, vibrant colors, and precise contrast, ensuring movies and photos look sharp and immersive.
  • 60 Hz Refresh Rate: Neither device introduces ProMotion; both are capped at 60 Hz refresh rates. This creates similar scrolling smoothness and gaming responsiveness, keeping them distinct from Pro models.
  • HDR Standards: Support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision is identical, giving users cinematic-grade video playback quality on streaming platforms and when recording HDR video.
  • True Tone Technology: Both include Apple’s True Tone sensors, adjusting the display’s white balance dynamically according to ambient lighting for comfortable viewing in different environments.
  • Ceramic Shield Protection: Apple equips both devices with Ceramic Shield on the front glass, a nano-crystal infused cover glass for greater drop protection compared to older iPhones.
  • Aluminum & Glass Build: Each uses aerospace-grade aluminum frames and glass backs, maintaining Apple’s familiar premium aesthetic and durable construction.
  • Water and Dust Resistance: Both carry IP68 certification, meaning they can survive immersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, useful for accidental spills, splashes, or short underwater exposures.
  • Face ID Unlocking: Security and convenience remain consistent, as both integrate Apple’s TrueDepth camera system for Face ID recognition, enabling biometric authentication for apps and Apple Pay.
  • 12 MP TrueDepth Front Camera: Video calls, selfies, and FaceTime performance are similar thanks to the shared resolution and TrueDepth technology, still producing high-quality results.
  • 5G Networks: Connectivity for high-speed mobile data is common to both, enabling faster downloads, streaming, and online gaming where 5G coverage is available.
  • MagSafe Ecosystem: Both devices integrate Apple’s MagSafe magnets, allowing magnetic attachment of chargers, wallets, battery packs, and cases with precise alignment.
  • Qi Wireless Charging: Compatibility with Qi pads remains, letting users charge wirelessly even without MagSafe accessories, ensuring wide third-party accessory support.
  • Stereo Speakers with Spatial Audio: Each device includes stereo speaker setups optimized for spatial audio, creating more immersive sound when watching movies or playing games.
  • No Headphone Jack: Both phones lack the traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack, steering users toward wireless solutions or wired connections through Lightning/USB-C adapters.
  • iOS 18 Software: Despite their generational gap, both support Apple’s latest iOS 18 platform, providing consistent app compatibility, system features, and long-term update potential.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 16 PlusiPhone 13
Display typeSuper Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED
Refresh rate60 Hz standard60 Hz standard
HDR supportHDR10 and Dolby VisionHDR10 and Dolby Vision
True ToneSupportedSupported
Ceramic ShieldFront protected by Ceramic ShieldFront protected by Ceramic Shield
Build materialsAerospace-grade aluminum and glassAerospace-grade aluminum and glass
Water resistanceIP68 ratedIP68 rated
Face IDFacial recognition via TrueDepth cameraFacial recognition via TrueDepth camera
Front camera12 MP TrueDepth camera12 MP TrueDepth camera
5G connectivitySupportedSupported
MagSafeMagnetic wireless charging ecosystemMagnetic wireless charging ecosystem
Wireless chargingQi standard compatibleQi/Qi2 standard compatible
Stereo speakersDual speakers with spatial audioDual speakers with spatial audio
No headphone jackAbsent (wireless or Lightning/USB-C)Absent (wireless or USB-C)
Software updatesSupported with iOS 18 and beyondSupported with iOS 18 and beyond
Price Check iPhone 16 Plus Price Check iPhone 13 Price

FAQ

Is the iPhone 16 Plus larger than the iPhone 13?
Yes, the iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch display and larger dimensions compared to the iPhone 13’s 6.1-inch screen, making it noticeably bigger in hand and on-screen viewing.

Does the iPhone 16 Plus have a better processor than the iPhone 13?
The iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the A18 chip, which is significantly faster and more efficient compared to the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 13, especially in AI-driven tasks and gaming performance.

How much RAM does the iPhone 16 Plus have compared to the iPhone 13?
The iPhone 16 Plus is equipped with 8 GB of RAM while the iPhone 13 has 4 GB, meaning the newer model handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly.

Do both phones support 5G connectivity?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 Plus support 5G networks, ensuring fast download speeds, low latency, and improved streaming performance when connected to compatible networks.

Are the displays similar on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 Plus?
Both use Super Retina XDR OLED technology with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, but the iPhone 16 Plus has a larger panel and higher peak outdoor brightness for better visibility in sunlight.

How do the main cameras differ between the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 13?
The iPhone 13 features a 12 MP wide sensor, while the iPhone 16 Plus upgrades to a 48 MP wide sensor with advanced computational photography and spatial video recording capabilities.

Does the iPhone 16 Plus have better battery life than the iPhone 13?
Yes, the iPhone 16 Plus includes a larger battery that delivers up to 27 hours of video playback, compared to the iPhone 13 which provides around 19 hours.

Do both phones support MagSafe accessories?
Yes, both models are compatible with MagSafe, enabling magnetic wireless charging and attachment of accessories like wallets, cases, and battery packs.

Is the iPhone 16 Plus heavier than the iPhone 13?
The iPhone 16 Plus weighs about 199 grams, which is heavier than the iPhone 13’s 174 grams, primarily due to its larger size and bigger battery.

What type of charging ports do the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 Plus use?
The iPhone 13 uses Apple’s Lightning port, while the iPhone 16 Plus transitions to USB-C, providing a more universal charging standard.

Do both phones have Face ID for unlocking?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 Plus rely on Apple’s TrueDepth camera system for secure Face ID authentication and support Apple Pay.

Does the iPhone 16 Plus support Apple Intelligence while the iPhone 13 does not?
Correct, the iPhone 16 Plus is compatible with Apple Intelligence and advanced AI features introduced in iOS 18, while the iPhone 13 does not support them.

Are both models water resistant?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 Plus are IP68 rated, meaning they can withstand dust and immersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.

What is the maximum storage capacity of each model?
The iPhone 13 maxes out at 512 GB, while the iPhone 16 Plus offers storage configurations up to 1 TB for users who need more space for photos, videos, and apps.

Do both models run the latest iOS software?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 Plus support iOS 18, but the iPhone 16 Plus unlocks exclusive Apple Intelligence features due to its newer hardware.

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