Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 13
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the flagship option here, offering a stunning 6.3-inch display that peaks at 3000 nits outdoors. In real-world use, this makes it brighter and more vibrant than the iPhone 13's 6.1-inch screen, which maxes out at 1200 nits. If you're into photography or gaming, the 17 Pro's triple 48MP camera system and 12 GB of RAM deliver performance that completely crushes the iPhone 13's capabilities. Key specs: Display: 6.3" vs 6.1" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 17 Pro (premium flagship) and Apple iPhone 13 (budget-friendly) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Apple iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.8★ (108 reviews) | 4.8★ (818 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor) | Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating |
| Main Drawback | Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed | Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Budget |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
Apple iPhone 13
iOS
Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
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 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 13
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Apple iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(108)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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 4GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.3" (6.27" 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 | 2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi) | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 800 nits (Typical) / 1,200 nits (HDR Peak) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) | 2x Optical Zoom Out (0.5x to 1x) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 40x | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 4K @ 60fps (Dolby Vision HDR supported); Cinematic mode (1080p @ 30fps) |
Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (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 | 4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed) | 3,240mAh (approximate) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher | 20W+ Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; 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 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber) | IP68 (Maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front |
Dimensions | 5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm) |
Weight | 7.27 oz (206 g) | 6.14 oz (174 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | MagSafe ecosystem support, Stereo speakers, Dual eSIM support |
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- Triple 48MP camera system with new 4x tetraprism telephoto
Cons
- Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed
- No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US models)
Apple iPhone 13
iOS
Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
4GB LPDDR4X
128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe
Pros
- Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating
- Strong battery life for its size (beat many Android competitors at launch)
Cons
- Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz)
- Uses proprietary Lightning port instead of universal USB-C
Which one is better?
Battery life: Apple iPhone 17 Pro is rated for up to 33 hours. That said, grab the iPhone 13 if you want to save money while still enjoying a solid smartphone experience.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro if: you want the best display with 3000 nits brightness, shoot high-quality photos with 48MP cameras, or need a powerhouse for gaming with 12 GB of RAM.
Choose the Apple iPhone 13 if: you want to save money, prefer a lighter phone at 6.14 oz, or don't need advanced photography features.
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 818 reviews vs 108
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Brightest 6.3-inch display Priority
Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: Both products share a 4.8★ rating, making this comparison particularly close. Your decision should come down to which specific features matter most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Apple iPhone 13?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the better choice if you prioritize brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). Apple iPhone 13 wins if you value excellent build quality with ceramic shield and ip68 rating. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.8★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 13?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 17 Pro offers brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor), while Apple iPhone 13 stands out with excellent build quality with ceramic shield and ip68 rating. Consider that Apple iPhone 17 Pro charging requires purchasing a 40w+ adapter separately for max speed. Meanwhile, Apple iPhone 13 stuck on 60hz refresh rate (competitors offer 120hz). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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