iPhone 13 Pro best value option iphone 13 vs 14 vs 15

[sailor720]

My wife needs a new phone to replace her dying iphone 8 and I am not sure which model makes the most sense right now. She is not a power user and anything will be a big upgrade. I have a 13 mini and a work 14 and she prefers the size of the 14, speed wise I can't tell much difference between them. She got the 8 in 2019 and I would like the next phone to last at least as long. Planning on buying from apple to have a warranty as used doesn't save enough to be worth the fuss and we are on verizon prepaid so there are no carrier deals.

13: cheapest, least battery life but probably just fine
13 pro refurb: similar in price to 14, maybe a better camera but heavier
14: longer battery life but otherwise seems mostly the same as a 13
15: most expensive, better camera but probably functionally the same. USB C is a downside since we have lightning cables everywhere and would have to add a new set of usb C cables just for her phone.

I am leaning 13 or 13 pro if she wants the telephoto lens, any strong reasons to get a newer model? I would like to buy this weekend as we are visiting family in Oregon where there is no sales tax saving 10%.

 

[netsped]

13 Pro.. great camera, great battery life, fast, modern connectivity. The weight is just ideal, it feels and looks premium.

I've had mine since launch and I'm already planing to replace its battery in the next couple of months and use it for another year or two.

 

[pdxmatts]

My wife needs a new phone to replace her dying iphone 8 and I am not sure which model makes the most sense right now. She is not a power user and anything will be a big upgrade. I have a 13 mini and a work 14 and she prefers the size of the 14, speed wise I can't tell much difference between them. She got the 8 in 2019 and I would like the next phone to last at least as long. Planning on buying from apple to have a warranty as used doesn't save enough to be worth the fuss and we are on verizon prepaid so there are no carrier deals.

13: cheapest, least battery life but probably just fine
13 pro refurb: similar in price to 14, maybe a better camera but heavier
14: longer battery life but otherwise seems mostly the same as a 13
15: most expensive, better camera but probably functionally the same. USB C is a downside since we have lightning cables everywhere and would have to add a new set of usb C cables just for her phone.

I am leaning 13 or 13 pro if she wants the telephoto lens, any strong reasons to get a newer model? I would like to buy this weekend as we are visiting family in Oregon where there is no sales tax saving 10%.

The 13 Pro will be very hard to find since they were discontinued when the 14 Pros came out and everyone was trying to get them because they were cheaper and not much different than the 14 Pro. Apple only has the Gold 13 Pro in Stock on their refurbished (basically new) site in 128 and 256gb and can be delivered to your family address or a store in Oregon by Sept. 15.

 

[LionTeeth]

I would advise the 15, or 15 pro. Get her the best, that’s your wife.

 

[Macalicious2011]

If she is happy with an 8, the 14 and 15 will be overkill. Buy her a 13 and spend the rest of an Apple Watch or AirPods.

 

[menist]

13 good battery life, bad cameras 👎 (don't recommend if you plan to take pictures)

13 Pro way better overall

If it was me, I would get a ceritifed refurbished 13 Pro from Apple's refurbish store and then add AppleCare+. They have the gold in-stock right now.

 

[michaelscarn]

The camera on the regular 13 is a major improvement from the 11 I had prior, so it'll be even more noticeable coming from the 8.

In this case, I would go for the 13 and use the savings for accessories, Apple Care, or an Apple TV if you don't have one. The 13 is a great phone and will be a big upgrade from the 8. Tremendous value for the price, doesn't feel like I cheaped out whatsoever.

 

[skiltrip]

The 13 Pro will be very hard to find since they were discontinued when the 14 Pros came out and everyone was trying to get them because they were cheaper and not much different than the 14 Pro. Apple only has the Gold 13 Pro in Stock on their refurbished (basically new) site in 128 and 256gb and can be delivered to your family address or a store in Oregon by Sept. 15.

Was the 12 Pro discontinued with the 13's came out? Because there is a TON of the 12 Pro in the refurb store. Not that I want one, but just an observation. I was wondering if we'd eventually see other color 13 Pros show up in the refurb store, but you're saying that the 13 Pro could quite possibly just disappear.

 

[pdxmatts]

Was the 12 Pro discontinued with the 13's came out? Because there is a TON of the 12 Pro in the refurb store. Not that I want one, but just an observation. I was wondering if we'd eventually see other color 13 Pros show up in the refurb store, but you're saying that the 13 Pro could quite possibly just disappear.

I didn’t say they would disappear. I said they were hard to find. It’s possible that Apple will eventually get more refurbished 13 Pros with trade-ins for the 15 Pro. But, that doesn’t help with the OP’s situation, since they won’t find one at the Apple Store this weekend and will be hard to find one new at a retail store.

 

[skiltrip]

I didn’t say they would disappear. I said they were hard to find. It’s possible that Apple will eventually get more refurbished 13 Pros with trade-ins for the 15 Pro. But, that doesn’t help with the OP’s situation, since they won’t find one at the Apple Store this weekend and will be hard to find one new at a retail store.

Understood! Thanks for clarifying. Was trying to decide if there was any pressing need for me to pull the trigger on a gold 13 Pro if that's the route I wanted to take. Not a fan of the gold one at all! Basically considering a new 15 or a different color 13 Pro. Not sure which phone is the better move at this point. Mostly looking at the cameras and ability to zoom and still get clear and nice looking shots.