Apple Apple iPhone 13 A2482 Review
The iPhone 13 is a great camera trapped in an aging phone. We break down who should buy this refurbished deal and who should run for the hills.
The 30-Second Version
The iPhone 13 in 2025 is a competent relic. It's a great cheap iPhone, but you're buying the brand and the camera, not the performance.
Overview
Look, the iPhone 13 is a weird spot in 2025. It's not the latest and greatest, but it's also not some ancient relic. The one thing you need to know? This is the ultimate 'good enough' phone. It's got a great screen, solid cameras, and 5G, all wrapped up in that classic iPhone feel. If you're looking for a no-fuss, reliable smartphone that just works without breaking the bank, this is still a compelling pick. But you're definitely making some trade-offs to get there.
Performance
Honestly, the performance was the biggest surprise, and not in a great way. That A15 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM land in the 40th percentile in our database. For basic stuff like social media and messaging, it's perfectly fine. But you'll feel it start to chug if you try to do anything intensive, like gaming or heavy multitasking. It's not slow, but it's definitely showing its age compared to even mid-range Android phones today.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong connectivity (83th percentile) 83th
- Strong display (81th percentile) 81th
- Strong camera (80th percentile) 80th
Cons
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.1 |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 |
Performance
| Processor | Hexa Core |
| Processor Model | Hexa Core |
| CPU Cores | 6 |
| RAM | 4 MB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
Camera
| Main Camera | 12 |
| Front Camera | 12 |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| NFC | No |
Design & Build
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| OS | iOS |
Value & Pricing
At around $290 for a refurbished model, the value proposition is simple. You're paying for the Apple ecosystem and that polished experience at a steep discount. You're not getting cutting-edge specs, but you are getting a very competent daily driver. It's worth it if your budget is tight and you're already invested in Apple's world.
Price History
vs Competition
This is where it gets interesting. Against the Google Pixel 10, you lose out on AI features and a better camera for computational photography, but you gain iOS stability. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE will smoke it in performance and likely battery life for a similar price. And then there's the iPhone 16e, Apple's own budget option. The 13 has a better main camera and a more premium build than the 16e, but the 16e will have a newer chip and longer software support. You're choosing between last-gen premium (13) and current-gen budget (16e).
| Spec | Apple Apple iPhone 13 A2482 | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKEXAA | Motorola Moto G PB6V0014US | Google Google Pixel 10 GA09899-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Apple Unlocked iPhone 15/15 Plus MTLY3LL/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.1 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | AMOLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| Processor | Hexa Core | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | 3.78 GHz | 8 Elite Gen 5 | A16 |
| RAM (GB) | 4 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | - |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 512 | 1024 | 256 | 512 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 12 | 200 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | 12 | 12 | 32 | 42 | 32 | - |
| Battery Capacity Mah | - | 5000 | 5000 | 4870 | 7300 | - |
| Charging Wattage | - | 60 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | false | - | - |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | - |
| Operating System | iOS | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | iPadOS 17 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: Is the battery life any good?
It's average. Our data puts it in the 39th percentile, so expect to charge it daily with normal use. It's not a two-day phone.
Q: Will it get iOS updates?
It should get iOS 18, but support beyond that is questionable. Apple typically supports iPhones for about 5-6 years, and this one is already 4.
Q: Is the 128GB storage enough?
For most people, yes. If you take a ton of 4K video or download huge games, you might fill it up. For photos, apps, and messages, 128GB is still the sweet spot.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a power user, a mobile gamer, or someone who keeps phones for 4+ years, skip this. The performance and future software support just aren't there. Go get a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE or a Google Pixel 10 instead. You'll get more for your money.
Verdict
We can recommend the iPhone 13, but with very clear conditions. If you're an iPhone user who doesn't need the latest specs, you're on a strict budget, and you just want a reliable phone that takes great pictures, this is a smart buy. For everyone else, especially if you're platform-agnostic, the competition offers more power and features for your money. This is a niche pick, not a default winner.