iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13: Which one to choose and when to upgrade

If you're in the market for a new iPhone or wondering whether it's time to upgrade, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 are two strong contenders. While they share a similar design and core features, Apple has introduced some notable changes in the iPhone 15 that might make a difference — depending on how you use your phone.

But how much of an upgrade is the iPhone 15 really? And if you already have an iPhone 13, is it worth making the switch? In this post, we'll compare the two models, looking at their design, performance, camera capabilities, and more to help you decide which one is the right fit for you.

Table of Contents

• Design and size
• Display
• Battery and charging
• Camera
• Performance
• Software and Connectivity
• Price
• When to upgrade to an iPhone 15
• When to choose the iPhone 13
• Should you upgrade from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 15?
• Why choose Orchard?
• iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 spec comparison

 

Design and size

The iPhone 13 and 15 share a similar look and feel with a glass back, rounded corners and a screen size of 6.1 inches, which has been the standard for base model iPhones since the iPhone X. Their dimensions clock in at:

• iPhone 13: 146.7 mm height, 71.5 mm width, 7.65 mm thickness
• iPhone 15: 147.6 mm height, 71.6 mm width, 7.80 mm thickness

The iPhone 13 weighs 173 grams, while the iPhone 15 is a smidge lighter at 171 grams.

Both phones come in an array of colors — mainly pastel shades for the iPhone 15, and a more diverse mix for the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13’s six colors are black (Midnight), white (Starlight), green, pink, blue and red. The iPhone 15’s five colors are black, blue, pink, yellow and green. 

Display

At the time of its release, the iPhone 13 made impressive strides in display quality. Its Super Retina XDR OLED screen significantly increased maximum brightness over the iPhone 12, up to 1,200 nits when outdoors. The iPhone 15 takes this even further, with peak brightness of 2,000 nits when outdoors, for squint-free viewing on the sunniest days.

Another important difference between the two phones’ displays is the front camera area. On the iPhone 13 this is a notch flush with the edge of the screen, but the iPhone 15 transforms the notch into the floating pill-shaped Dynamic Island, which both houses the front camera and allows background apps to display information and alerts.

Battery and charging

Apple claims the iPhone 13 will run for up to 19 hours of screen-on time, while the iPhone 15 is rated at 20 hours. Apple’s idealistic battery testing conditions don’t necessarily translate to the real world, but the key point is that the two devices have comparable battery performance, and should both last for at least a full day of use.

(Here at Orchard, we guarantee that all of our refurbished iPhones will give you a full day of battery life.)

Notably, the iPhone 15 line is Apple’s first to use the USB type-C connector for charging and data transfer. Charging times are around the same as previous iPhone fast chargers, but the new standard allows much higher data speeds. 

Since USB type-C is a universal standard, this also means the iPhone 15 is compatible with many more chargers and accessories – so you and your Samsung-using buddies can share (or fight over) a cord.

Camera

One of the key distinctions between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 15 is their cameras. While the iPhone 13’s 12 megapixel sensor is impressive in its own right, the iPhone 15 quadruples that pixel count to 48 megapixels for super high-resolution photos. 

The iPhone 13 features 0.5 and 1x optical zoom and a capable Night Mode for low-light shooting. From there, the iPhone 15 adds 2x optical zoom, improvements to Night Mode, and the Photonic Engine – that’s AI post-processing that gives your photos a little extra oomph.

Performance

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. That means that the iPhone 15’s A16 chip is only one generation newer than the iPhone 13’s. It still offers improvements to speed and efficiency, but those may not be as significant as you would expect from a two-years-newer phone.

That said, the iPhone 15 has 6 GB of RAM compared to the iPhone 13’s 4 GB, which should improve multitasking, boost gaming and help apps run more smoothly. 

Software and Connectivity

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. 

Strictly speaking, no one knows exactly how long the iPhone 13 or iPhone 15 will receive software support. But generally, iPhones see 6 to 8 years of software updates, with most getting 7 years.

Assuming the iPhone 13 will receive 7 years of updates, it should be supported at least through late 2028 – almost 4 more years at the time of writing. And applying the same logic to the iPhone 15, we expect to see support until late 2030, almost 6 years from today.

Both phones are 5G capable, and should have no issues providing fast connection speeds on any network in Canada.

Price

The iPhone 15 is available brand-new from Apple from $999 CAD, though buying refurbished can offer significant cost savings. The iPhone 13 is now discontinued and can only be purchased on the resale market.

Refurbished prices of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 in Canada vary by seller, as well as the storage capacity and exterior condition of the phone. At the time of writing in January 2025, a refurbished iPhone 13 will fall into the $550 - $800 range, while the iPhone 15 generally costs around $750 - $950. 

At Orchard, a refurbished iPhone 13 starts at $605. A smaller but more cost-effective option is the iPhone 13 Mini.

Orchard carries the iPhone 15 starting at $819. For further savings on a slightly older phone, check out the iPhone 14. 

When to upgrade to an iPhone 15

So, should you go for an iPhone 15? Here are some reasons you might want to make the jump:

• The latest features: The iPhone 15 is the most affordable phone that is compatible with the innovative Apple Intelligence suite of tools, and lets you play with Dynamic Island.
• USB type-C: This can especially be a selling point for those who have Android and iPhone users in the same household – you’ll cut down on the number of cords lying around.
• Improved photography: Camera quality is definitely the biggest jump in hardware terms between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15. If you’re serious about photography and want super high-res photos plus improved Night Mode and AI post-processing, the iPhone 15 may be for you.
• Smaller carbon footprint: Apple reports the iPhone 15’s carbon footprint at 61 kg CO₂e, down from 64 kg CO₂e for the iPhone 13, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.
• Longer software compatibility: Being two years newer, the iPhone 15 is likely to benefit from software updates for a couple years longer than the iPhone 13

When to choose the iPhone 13

On the other hand, the iPhone 13 is still a high-performing phone that continues to have a strong user base today. Here’s why you might want to stick with lucky number iPhone 13:

• You don’t have demanding photography needs: The iPhone 13 has a perfectly good camera that will capture ‘Grammable shots of your kids, your night out, or that cute cat in your neighborhood. If you don’t need the most detailed photos available and don’t take pictures in extremely dim conditions, it will serve you well.
• You’re an everyday user: Some race to try out every new AI feature, others just want a phone that runs all their apps without skipping a beat. If you’re in the second group, the iPhone 13 has high performance that won’t disappoint, and you probably won’t miss all the AI buzz.
• You’re waiting for bigger innovations: Hardware-wise, the differences between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 aren’t huge. If you’d rather not be on the yearly upgrade treadmill, it makes sense to hold on to the iPhone 13 until the newest iPhone will make a real difference to your life.
• Price: A refurbished iPhone 13 costs at least $200 less than the iPhone 15 – enough said!

Should you upgrade from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 15?

In short, no, or at least probably not. Given the price jump, the two phones are not significantly different in the ways that matter most: battery life, screen experience, software support and performance. Despite being two years newer, the foundational hardware of the iPhone 15 is only one generation advanced from the iPhone 13.

We outlined above some key reasons you might prefer an iPhone 15, such as AI features, advanced photography and USB type-C charging. But most people are looking for an affordable phone that has great performance, with a solid camera, an efficient battery and a long support lifespan. The iPhone 13 checks all those boxes, which is why it’s the device we recommend if you’re not sure which phone to buy in 2025.

If you’re looking for better performance, consider the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro instead for affordable luxury. These high-end iPhones feature more GPU cores for enhanced gaming, a smoother 120Hz display, a more advanced triple-camera system with better zoom and low-light performance, and longer battery life. Note that the iPhone 14 Pro uses the same next-generation chip as the iPhone 15.

Why choose Orchard?

Founded in 2014, Orchard is Canada’s most established and largest independent retailer of refurbished iPhones, and for good reason. We’re the experts on all things iPhone, from our experienced technicians to our friendly and knowledgeable Customer Advocates. All our phones are thoroughly tested and repaired in-house, so we can make sure every phone we sell meets our exacting standards.

On our online store you can find iPhones from the iPhone 7 on up to last year’s models (plus iPads and Androids too). Every purchase ships fast and for free from our Toronto HQ to anywhere in Canada, with a 90-day warranty on all devices and free returns. 

Ultimately, our customers are our best marketing and we’re very proud of our hard-won customer reviews. And PS – we’re proudly Canadian. 🍁

iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 spec comparison