iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Unboxing and Honest First Impressions

[MacRumors]

It's iPhone 13 launch day, and customers around the world are receiving their iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max orders, plus the new devices are also in Apple retail locations. We picked up one of the new iPhone 13 models and both of the iPhone 13 Pro models for a quick unboxing and an honest overview of the feature set.

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Apple's iPhone 13 models have more environmentally friendly packaging, so you just need to pop open the box and your iPhone is right there with no more protective plastic. There are a few papers, a SIM ejection tool, and a Lightning to USB-C cable. No charger or EarPods, of course, because Apple dropped those last year.

The iPhone 13 models are heavier than the iPhone 12 models, and it's definitely noticeable with the Pro Max. We have the Silver iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the Sierra Blue iPhone 13 Pro, which is a much lighter blue than last year.

As for the iPhone 13, we have the Starlight color, which is meant to be a silver/gold hybrid, and on the iPhone, it's nearly white. It's quite attractive. Unsurprisingly, the camera bumps are massive, and the notch is smaller, a feature that's mostly obvious when putting the iPhone 13 next to an iPhone 12.

Aside from the notch tweak and the camera bumps, the iPhone 13 design is on the boring side because it's basically identical to the iPhone 12 design.

The iPhone 13 Pro models have a ProMotion display, and that's definitely a noticeable improvement. Scrolling is super smooth, and it looks great. ProMotion will definitely be the standout feature for people who pick a Pro model.

There are new camera capabilities, including a Macro mode. It's fun to play around with, but will have limited use in the real world. As other reviews have pointed out, there's an irritating quirk with macro mode -- if you get too close to the subject, the camera switches to another lens, and you have to reset the shot to get back to macro mode.

Apple added a new Cinematic Mode, which is more or less Portrait Mode for video. It works okay, but it's a little bit buggy and it's not super fantastic. You're also getting Photographic Styles, which apply filters to just part of your image, which is kind of useful.

Make sure to check out our video to see all the camera features in action, and we'll have more in-depth camera coverage coming up next week.

Battery life should be significantly improved based on what Apple has boasted for the new iPhones, but we'll need some more time to test that out. In a nutshell, these are basically iPhone 12 models with a few new bells and whistles. There's nothing earth shattering here, so you don't need to upgrade if you've already got one an iPhone 12 or 12 Pro, but there are some solid features for those coming from an older device.

Let us know what you think of the new iPhone 13 models in the comments.

Article Link: iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Unboxing and Honest First Impressions

 

[sviato]

lol somehow the smaller notch seems to take up more space

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I’m so happy today! Apple has done an amazing job! Good job Apple!

 

[Dorv]

‌iPhone 13‌ design is on the boring side because it's basically identical to the ‌iPhone 12‌ design

Perfection is boring?

There are new camera capabilities, including a Macro mode. It's fun to play around with, but will have limited use in the real world.

Ok, I guess we have different real worlds

 

[jayducharme]

I picked up my 13 mini this morning. There were only 7 people in line about a half-hour before the Apple Store opened, and I was number 4. I was ushered into the store right when it opened and got my phone within a few minutes. When I left the store, no one was in line. So although others apparently aren't excited about this release, I'm quite happy. My new mini has a bigger battery, smaller notch, better camera and better cellular radio. If it turns out to be true that Apple will be discontinuing the mini, this iPhone will have to tide me over for quite a while. If they do continue making the mini, the 13 should still last me for quite a while.

 

[Tagbert]

lol somehow the smaller notch seems to take up more space

Only in our hearts

 

[Adamhwi]

If you want less than honest reviews, check out Apple’s fav iJustine. I’m pretty sure she’d be able to hype-up Tim’s turds if he let her.
“Look, there’s some corn… no freakin’ way! Look how amazing it looks with the new macro lens!”

 

[reallynotnick]

Weirdly the smaller notch makes it look like a Chinese knockoff at first glance. Probably just because I've been so used to this size notch for 4 years.

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

I’ll be honest, I skipped the phone for the watch and iPad mini. The iPad mini is a delight

 

[grassfeeder]

Im so tired of people expecting a completely new and revolutionary product every 12 months. Advancements dont always move that fast.

 

[I7guy]

So I got for a serial updater maybe not that much difference. But from an XR or XS MAX to an iphone 13 PRO MAX?

 

[Mrjynx]

My first impression of the 13 pro. Amazing screen, but what in the hell is up with the camera bump. it's more like a mountain compared to the iPhone 11. Going to take a few days to get used to, ya I know, i'm nitpick complaining but I didn't come from a previous pro and it was the very first thing I noticed when I picked it up

 

[mi7chy]

120Hz demo is a disservice when video is encoded at 24fps.

 

[julesme]

I picked up my 13 mini this morning. There were only 7 people in line about a half-hour before the Apple Store opened, and I was number 4. I was ushered into the store right when it opened and got my phone within a few minutes. When I left the store, no one was in line. So although others apparently aren't excited about this release, I'm quite happy. My new mini has a bigger battery, smaller notch, better camera and better cellular radio. If it turns out to be true that Apple will be discontinuing the mini, this iPhone will have to tide me over for quite a while. If they do continue making the mini, the 13 should still last me for quite a while.

Since you have a Mini, can you tell me how the screen looks with True Tone turned on? I couldn't believe how yellow mine is when I picked it up today. I ended up turning True Tone off, which is fine now (although a bit cooler than I like), but overall it make me wonder if my screen is defective.

 

[skywalkerr69]

Yeeeeeaaaaah I’m gonna go ahead and stick with my Xs Max.

 

[Juan007]

Got my iPhone 13! The iPhone 13! The iPhone 13! The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending... exciting, thrilling product in the history of the world! iPhone 13 has arrived! Oh, excuse me for my voice, but I have never, never seen anything like it in the history of the world! I have ever seen any phone like it in my life! The iPhone 13!! There will be no extra point!

 

[cpnotebook80]

It feels like yesterday I was unboxing my iPhone 12 Pro so I'm fine with that. Will wait for the day when those notches and under screen finger scanning etc come through. one good about apple is their devices are made to last so thats good for me and my folks who I hand me down old devices.

 

[Analog Kid]

Macro mode. It's fun to play around with, but will have limited use in the real world.

All cameras are of limited use. We use them mostly for fun, we use them to be creative. In those cases, having more capability makes a difference. Besides, I never understand the “real world” qualifier. What other world would it be more useful in?

 

[viachicago22]

13p screen is a lot cooler than 12p

 

[xObeyThePanda]

120Hz demo is a disservice when video is encoded at 24fps.

Watch ZolloTech’s review. He records at 240 fps and slows it down so you can see the difference.

 

[xgman]

To be honest, the shiny chrome band around the pro light blue model is a ridiculous thing to have on something that you touch. One little touch and prints and smudges all over. Yes case will cover, but still, why have it. Doesn't make any sense. The light blue back is awesome though and more light gray in person than blue, although that too will get cased over. oh well..

 

[hellojohnny]

The iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone yet! 😍

 

[bigjnyc]

If you want less than honest reviews, check out Apple’s fav iJustine. I’m pretty sure she’d be able to hype-up Tim’s turds if he let her.
“Look, there’s some corn… no freakin’ way! Look how amazing it looks with the new macro lens!”

I stopped watching her stuff a long time ago. I just couldn't take the over the top excitement for the tiniest little updates any more.

 

[bigjnyc]

13p screen is a lot warmer than 12p

Damn if that's the case then its horrible... I feel like my 12pm screen is piss yellow

 

[seek3r]

I picked up my 13 mini this morning. There were only 7 people in line about a half-hour before the Apple Store opened, and I was number 4. I was ushered into the store right when it opened and got my phone within a few minutes. When I left the store, no one was in line. So although others apparently aren't excited about this release, I'm quite happy. My new mini has a bigger battery, smaller notch, better camera and better cellular radio. If it turns out to be true that Apple will be discontinuing the mini, this iPhone will have to tide me over for quite a while. If they do continue making the mini, the 13 should still last me for quite a while.

Got mine just now, agreed. (Also the red is awesome, I hoped it would but wasnt sure… but it totally was the right choice!)