Apple iPhone 14 vs Apple iPhone 13
The 14 is the mid-range option, giving you the A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU, making it a solid bet for gaming or multitasking in 2026. If you're looking to save money, the Apple iPhone 13 is still a strong contender with impressive build quality. In real-world usage, both phones perform admirably, but the 14's extra RAM (6 GB vs 4 GB) means it handles apps better, especially when you're multitasking or gaming on the go.
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Apple iPhone 14

Apple iPhone 13
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 14 vs Apple iPhone 13

Apple iPhone 14

Apple iPhone 13
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 14 | Apple iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(1,511)Best Buy | ★4.8(818)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | iOS |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021) |
Processor | Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 6 GB (LPDDR4X) | 4GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.06" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.1" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 800 nits max (typical); 1200 nits peak (HDR) | 800 nits (Typical) / 1,200 nits (HDR Peak) |
Main Camera | 12MP Main (26 mm, f/1.5), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, Photonic Engine for better low-light performance | 12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view) | 12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; Digital zoom only beyond 1x | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x (2x optical zoom out range) | 2x Optical Zoom Out (0.5x to 1x) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 4K @ 60fps (Dolby Vision HDR supported); Cinematic mode (1080p @ 30fps) |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, 23mm, SL 3D (Biometrics) |
Battery | 3279 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) | 3,240mAh (approximate) |
Wired Charging | Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | 20W+ Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | 15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB |
USB | Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s) | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Glass back | IP68 (Maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front |
Dimensions | 5.78" x 2.82" x 0.31" (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm) |
Weight | 6.07 oz (172 g) | 6.14 oz (174 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
Extras | Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Dual eSIM (US models); Ring/Silent switch | MagSafe ecosystem support, Stereo speakers, Dual eSIM support |
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Apple iPhone 14
✓ Pros:
- • Affordable entry point into the modern mainline iPhone ecosystem
- • Reliable A15 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU still performs well
- • Lightweight and compact 6.1-inch design
- • Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating
- • Autofocus on the front-facing TrueDepth camera
✗ Cons:
- • Uses the older Lightning port instead of USB-C
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion)
- • No optical zoom for telephoto (only digital)
- • Not compatible with newer Qi2 wireless charging standard (limited to MagSafe/Qi)
- • Dynamic Island not available (uses the older notch design)
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Apple iPhone 13
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating
- • Strong battery life for its size (beat many Android competitors at launch)
- • A15 Bionic chip remains highly capable for everyday tasks and gaming
- • High-quality video recording with Dolby Vision HDR
- • Compact and lightweight 6.1-inch form factor
✗ Cons:
- • Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz)
- • Uses proprietary Lightning port instead of universal USB-C
- • Charging speed is relatively slow (Max ~20-23W)
- • No telephoto lens for optical zoom
- • Cinematic Mode video is limited to 1080p (Pro models support 4K)
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Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 14 is the better buy for most people - its 6 GB of RAM crushes the iPhone 13's 4 GB.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 14 if: you play demanding games, need more app multitasking, or want slightly better battery life. (3279 mAh battery, 6.07 oz weight)
Choose the Apple iPhone 13 if: you want to save money, need a reliable device for everyday tasks, or prefer a similar-weight phone. (3240 mAh battery, 6.14 oz weight)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 14 excels if you value affordable entry point into the modern mainline iphone ecosystem. Apple iPhone 13 is better if you prioritize excellent build quality with ceramic shield and ip68 rating. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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