The iPhone 17 is Apple’s latest and greatest, with a host of new specs, features, and cutting-edge tech. The iPhone 13, on the other hand, is 4 generations old but still holding up just fine and remains a fan favorite.
So, in this article, we’re going to compare the iPhone 17 vs the iPhone 13; their specs, speed, features, performance, battery life, etc, to see how far apart both generations of Apple iPhones are and, more importantly, to help you decide if it’s worth upgrading from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 17. We’ll cover
- iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Performance Difference
- iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Camera System
- iPhone 17 vs iPhone 13 Display
- iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Design
- iPhone 17 vs iPhone 13 Software and AI Features
- iPhone 17 vs iPhone 13 Battery and Charging
- Which device is better value for your money
- Who should upgrade to the iPhone 17 from the iPhone 13, and who shouldn’t
- Bonus tip.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 13 Specs
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Display
Kicking off this comparison, the display of iPhone 13 and iPhone 17 are worlds apart. That’s not to say the iPhone 13’s display is low quality, but the iPhone 17’s display just offers much more. Based on display quality alone, both have excellent quality.
The iPhone 17 packs a 1-120Hz refresh rate, anti-reflective coating, and a stronger ceramic shield 2, features which don’t exist on the iPhone 13. The iPhone 17 also trades the notch for Apple’s Dynamic Island, which makes it more functional, and wraps it up with much thinner bezels.
So when it comes to display, the iPhone 17 is noticeably ahead of the iPhone 13.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Performance and Chipset
The iPhone 17 features the latest A19, and the iPhone 13 features the old but capable A15 Bionic.
On paper, the performance gap between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 17 is wide, but real-life usage shows the iPhone 13 is just as usable as the iPhone 17, and in speed tests, the iPhone 17 was just a few seconds faster than the four-year-old iPhone 13.
On heavy tasks like gaming and video editing, as expected, the newer iPhone 17 is well ahead of the iPhone 13, but overall, both devices performed well. Although the iPhone 13 did heat up more.
Check out the benchmarks below.
| Benchmark (Higher Is better) | iPhone 17 | A16 Bionic (iPhone 15) |
| Geekbench 6 | Single-Core: 3593 Multi-Core: 9121 | Single-Core: 2213 Multi-Core: 5238 |
Another thing to talk about here is RAM. The iPhone 17 packs 8GB of RAM, while the iPhone 13 comes with just 4GB of RAM. This makes the iPhone 17 a much better phone for heavy multitasking.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Design
Similar to the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 retains its pill-shaped camera layout, unlike the diagonal layout on the iPhone 13. Both devices use aluminum frames, but the newer iPhone 17 feels sturdier and more premium in hand.
The bezels have gotten even thinner, giving it a near edge-to-edge display. The iPhone 17 also continues Apple’s Dynamic Island design, now more functional and better integrated into iOS, while the iPhone 13 retains the familiar notch. The mute switch has been swapped out for the more customizable action button.
If aesthetics and in-hand feel matter to you, the iPhone 17 is a clear upgrade. But if you use a case anyway, the visual difference might not justify the extra cost.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Camera System
Apple has made huge strides in camera technology since the iPhone 13. Although the iPhone 17 still sports a dual lens system, both sensors have been upgraded: 48MP main sensor + 48 MP ultrawide; a major step up from the iPhone 13’s dual 12MP setup.
In real-world use, you’ll notice sharper photos, richer detail in low light, and noticeably better dynamic range. The iPhone 17’s improved object recognition makes a noticeable difference in portrait mode cutout. Night Mode on the iPhone 17 is also much improved.
The iPhone 17’s 18 MP Center Stage selfie camera lets you switch between portrait and landscape without rotating the phone, which is useful for all kinds of reasons.
For video creators, the iPhone 17 shines even brighter, with features like Dual Capture, lossless 2x zoom, spatial video recording for Apple Vision Pro, etc. That said, the iPhone 13 still delivers excellent photos and 4K video, so unless you’re a content creator or camera enthusiast, the difference might not be a deal-breaker.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 13 Battery Life and Charging
To nobody’s surprise, the iPhone 17 lasts much longer than the iPhone 13. In one YouTube battery test, the iPhone 17 clocked 10 hours and 49 minutes, while the iPhone 13 managed 7 hours and 57 minutes, about a 3-hour difference.
Charging is also noticeably better on the iPhone 17. The iPhone 13 still uses Apple’s Lightning port, while the iPhone 17 uses USB-C, making it more convenient to use the same cable for your MacBook, iPad, or other devices. The newer port also supports faster data transfer and slightly improved charging efficiency.
According to Apple, the iPhone 17 can reach 0–50% in about 20 minutes with its 28W wired charging, compared to roughly 30 minutes on the iPhone 13’s 20W charger. On the wireless side, the iPhone 17 supports 25W MagSafe, while the iPhone 13 tops out at 15W.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 13 Software and AI Features
Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 13 run the latest iOS 26 Liquid Glass update, and from the look of things, the iPhone 13 should still receive major iOS updates for at least another 2 years. The only difference between the devices’ software is AI, aka Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone 13 has no Apple Intelligence features and will not get any, while the iPhone 17 has all Apple Intelligence features. To be honest, in its current state, Apple Intelligence isn’t that big of a difference, so it’s entirely subjective if it is worth it to you.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17 Price and Value
Let’s talk numbers.
The iPhone 13 still holds a solid resale value, especially if it’s in good condition, and platforms like The Whiz Cells offer better deals than Apple’s own trade-in program.
The iPhone 17, on the other hand, comes with a much higher price tag; $799, but you’re paying for upgraded hardware, advanced AI features, and longer software support. If your iPhone 13 still performs well, there’s no rush to upgrade. But if you want top-tier performance, camera quality, and future-ready features, the iPhone 17 is worth considering.
Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
The iPhone 17 is a powerhouse, faster, smarter, and more polished in every way. It’s lighter, runs cooler, and delivers significant gains in battery life, display smoothness, and camera performance. But that doesn’t mean your iPhone 13 is obsolete.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Keep your iPhone 13 if you’re happy with its performance, don’t care much for Apple Intelligence, and just want a reliable phone that still runs great.
- Upgrade to iPhone 17 if you want cutting-edge AI tools, a next-gen camera setup, a more premium design, and much better battery life.
Bonus: How To Sell Your iPhone 13 For The Most Money
If you’ve decided to upgrade to the iPhone 17, it only makes sense that you make sure you get the most cash possible for your iPhone 13. So here’s how to sell your iPhone 13 for the most money.
- Go to thewhizcells.com/devices/iphone-13/
- Select your iPhone 13’s condition and details
- Receive your instant quote
- Proceed to checkout
- Follow the on-screen instructions
FAQs on iPhone 13 vs iPhone 17: Is it Worth the Upgrade?
Is the iPhone 17 a good upgrade from the iPhone 13?
Yes, the iPhone 17 is a solid upgrade if you care about performance, camera quality, and battery life. It brings faster charging, a 120Hz display, Apple Intelligence features, and much better low-light photography. However, if your iPhone 13 still runs smoothly and you’re satisfied with its camera, there’s no urgent need to upgrade right now.
Will the iPhone 17 be a good upgrade?
Absolutely. The iPhone 17 continues Apple’s steady evolution with a faster A19 chip, longer battery life, and new AI tools that make it feel more modern and responsive. It’s especially worth it for users upgrading from older models (like the iPhone 12 or earlier) or those who want the best Apple experience available in 2025.
How much longer will the iPhone 13 be good for?
The iPhone 13 should comfortably last at least 2–3 more years in terms of performance and software updates. It still runs the latest iOS and will continue to receive major updates until around 2027. As long as your battery health is decent, it’ll remain a reliable daily driver for a while.
What is the weakness of the iPhone 13?
The iPhone 13’s biggest weaknesses in 2025 are:
- Slower 60Hz display (less smooth than newer iPhones).
- No Apple Intelligence (AI) features.
- Lower RAM (4GB), making it weaker for heavy multitasking.
- Slower charging speeds compared to modern models.
That said, for everyday use, messaging, photos, social media, and light gaming, it’s still an excellent phone.