Your iPhone 13 came out in 2021, which means it’s had 4+ years of daily charging cycles, and if you’ve noticed your battery dying faster than it used to, or apps taking a bit longer to open, then it’s probably time to start considering an upgrade.
The good news is, Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are landing in a few weeks (or have already landed depending on when you’re reading this). So in this article, I’ll walk you through the best iPhones for people upgrading from their beloved iPhone 13.
Best Options When Upgrading From Your iPhone 13
iPhone 17
The easy recommendation if you want the cleanest, most complete jump from the 13 without going all the way to Pro pricing. At $799, it’s still a real investment, but compared to the $1,099+ Pro models it’s the most sensible upgrade for most people. This is the path most iPhone 13 owners end up taking: the A19 chip is a massive leap over the A15 in your 13, the 48MP Fusion main camera captures noticeably sharper detail and better low light shots, and the display now runs at 120Hz with ProMotion, so scrolling and animations feel smoother than anything the 13 could do. Battery life is rated for a full day of typical use, which solves the exact problem that’s probably pushing you to upgrade in the first place.
By upgrading to the iPhone 17, you’re getting three years of camera, display, and efficiency improvements packed into one upgrade, plus Ceramic Shield 2 for better drop protection.
iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max
Makes sense if you’re serious about photography, or you push your phone hard with gaming or editing. The A19 Pro chip gives you real headroom for demanding apps and games, and the 48MP triple camera system (Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto with 8x optical quality zoom) is a genuine step up from the single and dual camera setups on the 13. You also get 4K 120fps video recording, a bigger battery in the Pro Max especially, and a redesigned aluminum unibody with the new camera plateau.
This is the pick if you shoot a lot of photos or video, or you’re a power user who wants the most headroom Apple currently sells outside the 18 lineup. Between the A19 Pro chip and the extra RAM, it handles heavy multitasking, pro editing apps, and demanding games without breaking a sweat, so you’re paying for the camera and performance ceiling, not just a basic refresh.
iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is worth a look if you want something newer and recently released without paying flagship prices. It runs the A18 chip, has a 48MP Fusion main camera paired with an Ultra Wide lens, and added the Camera Control button along with support for Apple Intelligence features. It’s not cutting edge now that the 17 and 18 lineups exist, but it’s still a solid, meaningful upgrade over a 2021 device, and prices on it have dropped a whole lot since its initial launch, so you can get one at a pretty reasonable price now especially if you go refurbished.
iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro has aged like fine wine, and it’s the best iPhone to get if you’re working with a sub $600 budget but still want Pro level cameras and near flagship performance. It runs the A17 Pro chip, which is still excellent for both daily tasks and heavier ones like gaming. It was also the first iPhone to ship with USB-C and the customizable Action button.
The 48MP main camera and 3x telephoto lens (5x on the Pro Max) still produce excellent photos, and the titanium frame is lighter and more durable than the 13’s aluminum design. Since it’s now generations behind current flagships, prices on the secondhand and refurbished market have come down enough to make it a genuinely smart buy if you want the Pro experience without the Pro price tag.
Best Option If You Have The Cash
If you simply want the latest and greatest from Apple, the wait is nearly done. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch this week, so if you’ve made it this far on your iPhone 13, riding out these last few days might be worth it. Leaks point to Apple’s new A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, a smaller Dynamic Island thanks to Face ID components moving under the display, and a variable aperture main camera that adjusts to lighting conditions instead of using a fixed setting. The Pro Max is also rumored to get a noticeably bigger battery.
The tradeoff as expected is price. Reports point to a possible $100 to $200 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro line, so you’ll be paying more for the extras. Preorders are expected to open within days of the announcement, with devices shipping roughly a week or two after that, so if you’re set on going straight from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 18, you won’t be waiting long.
Who should wait: if you specifically want the newest chip, the best camera Apple has ever put in a phone, or you just like having the latest thing, there’s no real reason to buy something else this close to launch.
But if your iPhone 13 is already struggling and you’re not ready to shell out over $1,000 for the newest device, an older iPhone like the 17 or others listed above will still feel like a major jump, and you can get it today instead of waiting on preorders and shipping.
What to Do With Your Old iPhone 13
Regardless of your upgrade choice, your iPhone 13 is still worth real money right now, and that value only goes down the longer it stays, plus once the iPhone 18 series ships, resale prices across older models, including the 13 typically take a hit as buyers shift their attention to the new release.
So instead of waiting for that to happen, you can take the easy route to getting the most value for your used iPhone 13 by selling your used iPhone 13 to The Whiz Cells for the most cash.
Get an instant quote in under two minutes, ship it for free, and get paid within a single business day of your device arriving. No listings to manage, no back and forth with buyers, just a locked-in price and cash in your account.
And compared to other buyback services, The Whiz Cells consistently comes out ahead. In side by side comparisons against platforms like ecoATM, Gazelle, and Back Market, The Whiz Cells landed highest on payout in most device categories, even staying competitive on Android flagships where a lot of buyback sites quietly lowball you. That difference adds up.
Depending on your iPhone 13’s storage and condition, the payout can cover a meaningful chunk of whatever you’re upgrading to, whether that’s the iPhone 17, a Pro model, or the iPhone 18 once it ships.
Final Words
Whichever path you take, whether that’s the 17, a Pro model, or holding out for the 18, your iPhone 13 has already given you four solid years, and it still has resale value left to give. The longer it sits in a drawer, the less that’s true.
Get your instant quote at The Whiz Cells, ship it for free, and get paid within a single business day. It’s the easiest way to turn your old phone into real progress toward your next one.
FAQ on Upgrading From Your iPhone 13
Is the iPhone 13 still good in 2026?
Yes. It’ll run iOS 27 and handle everyday tasks fine. The main things you’ll miss out on are the newest camera hardware and some of Apple’s on-device AI features, which need newer chips to run smoothly.
Should I upgrade from the iPhone 13 now or wait for the iPhone 18?
It depends which iPhone 18 you mean. The Pro and Pro Max launch in September 2026, but the standard iPhone 18 isn’t coming until spring 2027. If you want a standard-tier phone, you’ll likely upgrade to the iPhone 17 now rather than wait over a year.
What’s the best iPhone to upgrade to from an iPhone 13?
For most people, the iPhone 17 hits the best balance of price and improvement. If budget is tight, the iPhone 15 Pro is a strong secondhand or refurbished pick.
What’s my iPhone 13 worth in trade-in value right now?
Trade-in value depends on your model, storage size, and condition, but you can get an exact number in under two minutes using the instant quote tool at thewhizcells.com.
Where’s the best place to sell your iPhone 13?
The Whiz Cells is one of the strongest options on the market right now. In side by side comparisons against buyback platforms like ecoATM, Gazelle, and Back Market, it landed highest on payout in most device categories, with no shrinking “estimated” quote once your phone gets inspected. You get an instant quote, free shipping, and payment within a single business day of your device arriving.
