Apple iPhone 13 iPhone 13 Review
The iPhone 13 in 2025 is a paradox: a still-powerful chip trapped in a body with a dated camera. For $266, it's a compelling budget iPhone, but only if you can live with its biggest weakness.
The 30-Second Version
A 2021 flagship on a 2025 budget. Still shockingly fast, but the camera feels ancient. Buy it if you want a cheap, reliable iPhone. Skip it if you love taking photos.
Overview
The iPhone 13 is a weird one in 2025. It's still a shockingly capable phone for the basics, but it's starting to show its age in one critical area: the camera. The A15 Bionic chip is a beast, landing in the 91st percentile for performance, which means it still feels snappy for everyday tasks and even some gaming. But the one thing you need to know is that its camera system, scoring in the bottom third of our database, is now a generation behind. If you're buying this refurbished for $266, you're getting a ton of phone for the money, but you're also making a clear compromise.
Performance
What surprised us is just how well the A15 Bionic holds up. We're talking about a chip from 2021, but in our benchmarks, it still outpaces a lot of newer mid-range Android processors. Apps open fast, scrolling is smooth, and it handles most games without breaking a sweat. The 4GB of RAM is the only real bottleneck we noticed, causing some apps to reload a bit more often than we'd like. For a daily driver focused on calls, messages, social media, and streaming, this performance is more than enough.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong build (93th percentile) 93th
- Strong performance (91th percentile) 91th
- Strong battery (85th percentile) 85th
- Strong connectivity (82th percentile) 82th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.1 |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 |
Performance
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Processor Model | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 4 MB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
Battery & Charging
| Battery | 3240 Wh |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| NFC | No |
Design & Build
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| OS | iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At around $266 for a refurbished model, the value proposition is strong but specific. You're paying a fraction of the original price for what is essentially flagship-level build quality, a premium display, and processor performance that punches above its weight. Just go in knowing the camera and port are dated.
vs Competition
The most relevant competitors here are the Google Pixel 10 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. The Pixel 10, even at a higher price, will run circles around the iPhone 13 in camera quality and has a modern USB-C port. The S25 FE offers a 120Hz display, more RAM, and likely better cameras for a similar refurbished price. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and just need a reliable workhorse, the iPhone 13 makes sense. If camera quality or modern features are a priority, those Android options are better buys.
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 iPhone 13 | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKAXAA | Google Google Pixel 10 GA09899-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Motorola Moto G PB6V0014US | Apple Unlocked iPhone 15/15 Plus MTLY3LL/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 6.1 |
| Display Type | — | OLED | OLED | OLED | AMOLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | — | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | 3.78 GHz | 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | A16 |
| RAM (GB) | 4 | 12 | 16 | — | 8 | — |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 1024 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | — | 200 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | — | 12 | 42 | 32 | 32 | — |
| Battery Capacity Mah | 3240 | 5000 | 4870 | 7300 | 5000 | — |
| Charging Wattage | — | 60 | — | — | 68 | — |
| Wireless Charging | — | true | false | — | true | — |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | IP68 | — |
| Operating System | iPadOS | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android 15 | iPadOS 17 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the iPhone 13 still a good phone in 2025?
For basic use, absolutely. It's fast, has a great screen, and gets iOS updates. Just don't expect it to compete with newer phones on camera quality.
Q: How's the battery life?
It's good, not great. The 3240mAh battery will easily get you through a full day of normal use, but heavy users might need a top-up before bedtime.
Q: Should I get the 128GB model?
For most people, 128GB is fine. If you take a ton of photos and videos or download lots of games and movies, you might want to look for a 256GB model, but it'll cost more.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a photography enthusiast or someone who wants the latest features like a high refresh rate screen or USB-C, this isn't it. Go get a Google Pixel 10 or a refurbished iPhone 14 instead. You'll be much happier.
Verdict
We recommend the iPhone 13 with a big caveat. If you're on a tight budget, need a reliable iPhone that just works, and don't care about having the latest camera tech, this refurbished deal is a smart buy. Its core performance and build are excellent for the money. But if photography is important to you, or you want a phone that feels more current, spend a little more on a Pixel or a newer iPhone SE.