Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup has arrived, and if you are considering an upgrade from the iPhone 13 or earlier, there’s a lot of new hardware and features that could make this a noticeable upgrade. The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max were unveiled at the Apple’s Glowtime event on Monday, and even the base models feature noticeable design changes from Apple’s earlier iPhones.
The biggest changes to the $799 iPhone 16 include a dedicated Camera Control button, the trickling down of the Action button from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and the inclusion of the Apple Intelligence platform meant to take advantage of generative AI for summarizing text or creating new emoji, among other features.
However, if you’re hanging on to an iPhone 13 from 2021 and considering an upgrade, then there are even more advances in the iPhone 16 that you should keep in mind when determining if this is the year to replace your phone. several differences to consider apart from the ones mentioned above. Here are some key differences, or you can scroll down to our specs charts below for a side-by-side comparison.
Camera
The iPhone 16 features a 48-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, compared to the dual 12-megapixel cameras on the iPhone 13. This should allow for better image quality as well as more advanced photography features on the iPhone 16.
Processor
The iPhone 16 is powered by the newer A18 chip, which in theory should make it much faster than the A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13. It also enables new AI features.
Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 16 supports Apple Intelligence, which includes a more context-aware Siri, built-in writing support and audio summaries, among others changes.https://www.trustedreviews.com/versus/apple-iphone-16-vs-iphone-13-4556175The timeline and rollout of these AI-based features aren’t clear. But the iPhone 13, which is due to receive iOS 18, will not be able to support several of these features due to hardware limitations such as its current chipset.
USB-C Connector
Apple switched to a USB-C port in its iPhone line away from its Lightning port starting with last year’s iPhone 15. This change was largely driven by European Union regulation that prohibited Apple from selling iPhones in the bloc in 2025 unless it had USB-C. The iPhone 13 uses Apple’s proprietary connector, so you’ll likely need to replace your charging cable. Apple does include a USB-C cable in the box, and so you’ll just need to make sure it works with your charger adapter.
Dynamic Island
This is a pill-shaped cutout first graced 2022’s iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, and is now a signature feature on the iPhone. In essence, it’s an area on top of the iPhone’s display, which serves as an interactive hub and shapeshifts depending on the apps you are running. The Dynamic Island is not available on the iPhone 13. You can read more about it in our explainer.
All in all, perhaps the biggest changes will be the quality of your photos with the newer iPhone 16, access to Apple Intelligence and other features that the iPhone 16’s newer processor can take better advantage of. However if you keep the iPhone 13, you will get iOS 18 and several new features like RCS texting and new homescreen customization controls. Many of those features will also come to even earlier iPhone models, with the iOS 18 update set to hit devices as far back as 2018’s iPhone XS and XR. Some of the more minor considerations include the Dynamic Island, the new hardware buttons such as the Action button, the Camera Control button and the USB-C port.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 13 | |
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display; 2,556 x 1,179 pixel resolution | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches | |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm | 147 x 72 x 7.65 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 170 g, 6 oz | 6.14 oz; 174g |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 15 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (fusion), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K at 60fps; spatial video at 1080p at 30fps | HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps |
| Processor | A18 | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM/storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery | Up to 22 hours video playback; up to 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W | Undisclosed; Apple lists 19 hours of video playback |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | No |
| Connector | USB-C | Lightning |
| Headphone jack | No | No (Face ID) |
| Special features | Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine. | 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) |
| US price (at launch) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) |
| UK price (at launch) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) | £779 (128GB), £879 (256GB), £1,079 (512GB) |
| Australia price (at launch) | AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB) | AU$1,349 (128GB), AU$1,519 (256GB), AU$1,869 (512GB) |
Watch this: Hands-On with iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
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