Is iPhone 13 Still Good in 2025, Make An Informed Decision!

Is it time for you to upgrade your phone? Are you eyeing the iPhone 13 and asking yourself: “Should I buy an iPhone 13 in 2025, nearly 4 years after its release?”

This article will take a close look at the iPhone 13’s camera, battery, and performance. We’ll also compare it to the latest model, the iPhone 16, and assess its future-proofing in terms of software support to help you decide if it’s still worth buying.

How does the iPhone 13 compare to the latest model, iPhone 16?

Let’s first look at the key differences between the iPhone 13 and the latest model, the iPhone 16 in the table below:

Does the iPhone 13 Still Hold Up in 2025?

The iPhone 13 remains a solid choice in 2025, even when compared against the latest model. It offers essentials features like 5G compatibility, reliable battery life and a chip that can handle all day to day tasks smoothly. In fact, Apple reused this chip for the iPhone 14, proving its longevity.

Where the iPhone 13 falls a little short, is its camera capabilities. While it still takes sharp photos, newer models have improved sensors and advanced processing for better low-light and zoom performance. If photography isn’t your top priority, the iPhone 13 will still serve you well.

Does the iPhone 13 support iOS 18 and future software updates?

Staying updated with the latest version of iOS is important. It comes with key performance and security upgrades that keep your phone running smoothly and safely. And if your iOS version falls too far behind, you may not be able to use certain apps (is there one app you can’t live without? check out our App Compatibility Checker)

The iPhone 13 is compatible with Apple’s latest operating software, iOS 18, released in September 2024. And while it is challenging to predict exact software update dates, we expect the iPhone 13 will be supported at least through late 2028 – almost 4 more years at the time of writing. That’s plenty of time, considering most users upgrade their smartphones every 2 to 3 years.

Price of the iPhone 13 in 2025 in Canada

At launch in 2021, the iPhone 13 retailed for $1,099 in Canada. By 2024, Apple had reduced its price to $849 before discontinuing it in September 2024.

However, plenty of used iPhone 13 options still exist and retail for much less than the original price tag.

At the time of writing, the iPhone 13 starts at $519 here at Orchard and comes with a 90-day warranty, free returns and two rounds of 30-point inspections.

Unsure about pre-owned? Check out our thorough guide here!

iPhone 13 Camera: Does It Still Compete?

We touched on this earlier on in this article, but while the iPhone 13 still delivers crisp photos and videos that will satisfy the average user, they don’t quite compare to the latest models’ capabilities.

The iPhone 13 has a 12MP main and ultra-wide camera with 1x optical zoom whereas the iPhone quadruples this to 48MP and a 2x optical zoom. While this might seem like a huge difference, casual users may not notice much in everyday photography. The biggest improvements are seen in low-light performance, Night Mode, and ProRAW editing features.

If you prioritize camera quality at a lower price, consider previous Pro models like the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro for better zoom and ProMotion display.

Performance and battery life of the iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 is run by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, a processor so effective that it was also used to power the iPhone 14. The iPhone 13 still delivers smooth and lag-free performance, even for gaming and multitasking.

Let’s talk about the battery life of the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 is not available brand new anymore and buying a refurbished one will mean that you will be loosing at least a little bit of battery health. That being said most pre-owned phones from reputable reseller come with a minimum battery health guarantee around 80%.

Here at Orchard, we’ve conducted extensive testing and found that phones at 83% of their original battery health will last you through a typical day of usage! We guarantee this for every phone we sell!

Conclusion: Is the iPhone 13 still a good choice in 2024

The iPhone 13 continues to be a top phone in 2024, holding its own against the the latest model on almost all fronts. In fact the iPhone 13 is Orchard’s number 1 bestseller.

If you are looking for a dependable phone at a more affordable price tag, that will last you for years to come and delivers solid performance on all levels the iPhone 13 is a great choice.

Though, if you are a power user or are looking for the latest feature, we recommend looking at more performant phones like the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, all available at Orchard.

Ready to buy? Explore our selection of iPhone 13 models at Orchard today!

Considerations for Buying an Older Model

If you’re thinking about purchasing an older iPhone, keep these factors in mind:

• Performance & Features: Older models still offer strong performance, but newer ones have improved cameras, battery life, and processing power.
• iOS Updates: Consider how long the phone will continue receiving software and security updates.
• Availability & Pricing: Refurbished and used models are often significantly cheaper than new ones.