iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Unboxing and Honest First Impressions

[anticipate]

Everyone is like “wow the camera bumps on the iPhone 13 are HUGEEE”. But compared the 12 Pro MAX in particular, the 13 Pro Max camera bump is only a tiny bit bigger. No huge difference at all. I am looking right at them both.

I will say the screen and that notch are noticeable to me. It's a nice improvement, especially the pro motion. Macro is also super cool, as is the camera that lets in even more low light - especially the ultrawide which I use a LOT.

Yes, it's definitely an "S" upgrade. But a very solid one.

 

[k2corc]

Two super small but noticeable improvements on the 13 Pro design, the raised SIM card slot is no longer felt when holding the phone and the larger camera bump makes it a little easier to grab from a flat surface. Only applies for caseless users and very minimal, yet I keep noticing it throughout the day.

 

[anthogag]

I’ll tell you what’s “boring”. People who say this year’s iPhone upgrade is “boring” and the OWC advertising send-off at the end of these videos.

People expect the new-iPhones event every year. It’s not surprising if upgrades don’t reinvent the iPhone every year. Saying it’s “boring” is “very boring”.

 

[rgarjr]

Waiting for the iPad mini videos

 

[GuruZac]

For those coming from the iPhone 12 Pro, I can see why the 13 Pro may be 'boring' but for me coming from the 11 Pro, the design change, smaller notch, much improved camera system, and ProMotion display will be noticeable and and exciting upgrades.

 

[jclardy]

I upgrade every year, but I find I prefer “S” year phones for some reason. Maybe since my first iPhone was the 3GS. But the 4S, 5S, 6S, I all preferred over the original design change year, the one exception was the X but that was more of a generational leap.

The 12 pro was nice, but I liked my 11 pro better in the green color, and the rounded sides were much more comfortable to hold. With the 13 pro the screen and camera upgrade makes the flat edge design more “worth it“ to me.

 

[mi7chy]

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

I just watched a review that someone suggested where it mentions the 13PM is cooler than 12PM.

 

[tgwaste]

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

What I expected with the smaller notch was to have my d4mn battery percentage back. Its not. So what in the h3ll is the point of that?

 

[nwcs]

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.

Mine looks just fine. About the same whiteness as my 11 Pro did.

 

[Nismo73]

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.

I picked up my iPad mini from smith haven store on Long Island around 1230 and waited behind about 20 people outside the store to check in. Most people were getting phones. Inside of store was filled like it was Christmas season.

 

[tgwaste]

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!”

Ive said it a million times. iJustine and all of those like her are not reviewers, they are advertisers. They advertise for apple and then apple throws them crumbs like a 10 minute Cook interview.

 

[fernelius]

Wow! Talk about camera bumps! Picture taken from article video.

 

[locrumo]

Please be honest with the missing TouchID again.

 

[ScWasHere]

Maybe this is a non-issue for some, but the only way I can charge the phone is via my computer since all my chargers are the old USB plug. So not including a charger on a premium phone seems asinine. I was against the EU mandating the charging plugs at first, but maybe that's what is needed.

 

[jayducharme]

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.

My TrueTone is on, and my screen looks fine.

 

[Preed08]

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

Edit: misinterpreted

 

[Tagbert]

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

That would be a demo of ProMotion, which is about dynamic refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz. The flexibility is a key feature, not just the maximum speed.

 

[ItsCaleb]

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.

I am very excited. My last iPhone was a 6s Plus before I switched ecosystems. Now I am switching back from a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and even though I will miss a removable SD card, 1 TB storage and 2 TB cloud storage will more than make up for that.

 

[TVreporter]

I'm still rocking the 8-plus and I think that's big sometimes ... guess I'm going with the Mini!

Anyone who made the jump from 8-plus to a bigger phone, how much of an adjustment was it?

 

[urnotl33t]

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

You essentially echoed my every thought and opinion since iPhone 6. I understand.. bigger body/screen, gotta trim weight somewhere, and advanced lenses are dictated by physics... but dang... at this point, with such huge lenses, can't they do something better with the body?

I'd love to see a discussion from the design team about that. Of course they never will, but it'd be nice...

 

[IIGS User]

I like mine, but I’m having trouble with CarPlay on my 2020 Chrysler UConnect system.

Maps works
Messages work
Hands free works.

music selections come up, but won’t play. The UConnect system tries to flip over to the USB mode and the whole thing takes a poop.

Was hoping out of the box software update and different cables would help. No dice..

 

[williambloke]

13 Max Pro already had to pause setting up from my iCloud backup due to overheating. Off to a banner start!

 

[macpot]

I'm so annoyed that they removed the plastic wrapping...

Somehow it makes me feel the phone isn't brand new!

 

[mi7chy]

Fake ProMotion 120Hz that's more like 90Hz.

And, SoC still throttles as expected since it's same 5nm node.

 

[Baritone_Guy]

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

You do get that those two things having absolutely nothing to do with each other?