iPhone 13 iPhone 13 - The Phone I Never Needed to Replace

[Andeddu]

I used my iPhone 13 for almost three years, and honestly, it was one of the most reliable and well-rounded devices I've ever owned. It never slowed down to any great extent, never felt outdated, and handled everything I threw at it with relative ease.

Even after all that time, the performance was still incredibly fast; apps opened instantly and iOS updates ran flawlessly. The only reason I decided to retire it was because I wanted to upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro for AAA gaming. There’s now a catalogue of high-end titles that simply won't run on older hardware, and I didn't want to miss out.

If it weren't for that, I'd have happily kept using the 13 for another year or two. It's a testament to how well Apple optimised that phone; smooth, dependable, and still a joy to use long after launch.

 

[Reverend Benny]

The 13 was and is still a brilliant phone. Have to ask, whats with the lightning port on the 13? Looks like something is sticking out.
Have a few running iOS 26 on it at work and it seems to handle that pretty well too, will be interesting to see if its even better with the 26.1 when that's being released.

 

[Andeddu]

The 13 was and is still a brilliant phone. Have to ask, whats with the lightning port on the 13? Looks like something is sticking out.
Have a few running iOS 26 on it at work and it seems to handle that pretty well too, will be interesting to see if its even better with the 26.1 when that's being released.

It’s a dust plug to keep lint and debris out of the Lightning port. I’ve probably used that port fewer than 10 times in three years since I charged it exclusively with the MagSafe puck each night.

I was genuinely surprised by how well the iPhone 13 handled iOS 26, it wasn’t an easy device to let go of.

I even had Apple service the battery just three months ago, so it’s still at 100% battery health.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I still use my 13 mini daily at work, and love that little device. I'll give it up once and only once it completely stops doing what I need of it.

 

[eyoungren]

I guess I will probably never know.

I'm still using my 11 Pro Max as my primary phone. We're due for an upgrade very soon, but at the moment I'm not sure how that's going to work. And it won't be to the 17 series.

That said, and no offense @Andeddu, but for myself, for games I have a Mac. I also have a TV and multiple monitors to stream stuff. All my screens are bigger in size than that of even the largest phone (and tablet for that matter). I guess I have to really be in to that world or have a more mobile life because I just don't understand using small screens for games.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not judging or expecting you to justify anything. That's your choice and you have a right to it. I'm just saying that for me, larger screens (30 inches or larger) are preferred, especially when it comes to games.

 

[Boyd01]

Still completely happy with my iPhone 12 ProMax and will keep using it until it won't hold a charge or breaks. Absolutely no interest in games on any kind of device, so that's no reason for me to upgrade. Apple Intelligence doesn't interest me either. I'm sure I'd appreciate the better camera on a new(er) phone but not enough to justify the cost of an upgrade.

 

[Andeddu]

I guess I will probably never know.

I'm still using my 11 Pro Max as my primary phone. We're due for an upgrade very soon, but at the moment I'm not sure how that's going to work. And it won't be to the 17 series.

That said, and no offense @Andeddu, but for myself, for games I have a Mac. I also have a TV and multiple monitors to stream stuff. All my screens are bigger in size than that of even the largest phone (and tablet for that matter). I guess I have to really be in to that world or have a more mobile life because I just don't understand using small screens for games.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not judging or expecting you to justify anything. That's your choice and you have a right to it. I'm just saying that for me, larger screens (30 inches or larger) are preferred, especially when it comes to games.

Ahh, the 11 Pro Max is still a great phone and is more than capable for most people’s needs, especially if you keep the battery in good shape with regular servicing.

What are you thinking of upgrading to?

I agree that gaming on iOS is a bit of a niche hobby. While mobile gaming as a whole is huge, I’m not interested in the usual F2P throwaway titles on the App Store. I only care about proper console-quality ports from systems like the PS4 and Xbox One.

I don’t use touch controls either, I connect a PS4 controller via Bluetooth for that proper console feel. I usually play on my 17 Pro while my girlfriend’s watching TV. I’ve also got a gaming laptop and a PS4, so I still enjoy big-screen gaming when I can. It’s just that playing on my phone is so convenient now, and since I’ve always loved handheld gaming, the smaller screen doesn’t bother me at all.

 

[eyoungren]

Ahh, the 11 Pro Max is still a great phone and is more than capable for most people’s needs, especially if you keep the battery in good shape with regular servicing.

What are you thinking of upgrading to?

I agree that gaming on iOS is a bit of a niche hobby. While mobile gaming as a whole is huge, I’m not interested in the usual F2P throwaway titles on the App Store. I only care about proper console-quality ports from systems like the PS4 and Xbox One.

View attachment 2571342

I don’t use touch controls either, I connect a PS4 controller via Bluetooth for that proper console feel. I usually play on my 17 Pro while my girlfriend’s watching TV. I’ve also got a gaming laptop and a PS4, so I still enjoy big-screen gaming when I can. It’s just that playing on my phone is so convenient now, and since I’ve always loved handheld gaming, the smaller screen doesn’t bother me at all.

Right now I'm thinking iPhone 15 or 16 Pro Max. Since 2009, I have had the standing order from my wife that whatever I upgrade to, she gets the same (except for maybe color). But as long as she can do what she's used to doing she doesn't care when upgrades happen. So, when I do upgrade, she'll get the same - unless she specifically tells me she wants something else. That's happened once or twice in the past.

But 4.5 years in to her 11PM she is still asking me what model phone she has. So… 🤷‍♂️

The last time I upgraded I wanted the 12PM, but the monthly payments would have been hard to make, so I settled for the 11PM and still got what I wanted out of it. Plus, I avoided being a network guinea pig for T-Mobile. At the time, they were just starting to rollout 5G and I wasn't interested in a repeat of Sprint when they were rolling out LTE.

Now it's almost 5 years later and if they don't have a handle on 5G then I've got a legit right to go whine at them. But either the 15 or 16PM will give me what I want and cost me less. I'm okay using last year's model.

The trick is to find out what's being offered. I was able to get the 11PM at the time because T-Mob was still offering them new on their website. I don't want to buy used. So, if the only deal is the 16PM and there is no 15PM to be found, then that's what we'll get. But I am shooting for the 15PM.

T-Mobile starts refarming LTE in early 2026, so it will become important to upgrade sooner rather than later.

As to handhelds…I used to have one of those 1970s Mattel football devices back when I was a kid (in the 1970s). Got an original Gameboy device before they were released in the USA as well. We used to host Japanese exchange students during the summer and one of them brought it as a gift. My wife dominated Tetris on it, LOL!

But that's pretty much the extent of handhelds for me. My son does have a Switch. His friends got together and all chipped in to buy him one. And when he was younger we got him a Nintendo DS. I didn't realize until later on though that I'd ordered it through a pawn shop that had an eBay storefront - so some kid lost their pawned DS to my son. Ah well…I never told him though.

 

[Andeddu]

Right now I'm thinking iPhone 15 or 16 Pro Max. Since 2009, I have had the standing order from my wife that whatever I upgrade to, she gets the same (except for maybe color). But as long as she can do what she's used to doing she doesn't care when upgrades happen. So, when I do upgrade, she'll get the same - unless she specifically tells me she wants something else. That's happened once or twice in the past.

But 4.5 years in to her 11PM she is still asking me what model phone she has. So… 🤷‍♂️

The last time I upgraded I wanted the 12PM, but the monthly payments would have been hard to make, so I settled for the 11PM and still got what I wanted out of it. Plus, I avoided being a network guinea pig for T-Mobile. At the time, they were just starting to rollout 5G and I wasn't interested in a repeat of Sprint when they were rolling out LTE.

Now it's almost 5 years later and if they don't have a handle on 5G then I've got a legit right to go whine at them. But either the 15 or 16PM will give me what I want and cost me less. I'm okay using last year's model.

The trick is to find out what's being offered. I was able to get the 11PM at the time because T-Mob was still offering them new on their website. I don't want to buy used. So, if the only deal is the 16PM and there is no 15PM to be found, then that's what we'll get. But I am shooting for the 15PM.

T-Mobile starts refarming LTE in early 2026, so it will become important to upgrade sooner rather than later.

As to handhelds…I used to have one of those 1970s Mattel football devices back when I was a kid (in the 1970s). Got an original Gameboy device before they were released in the USA as well. We used to host Japanese exchange students during the summer and one of them brought it as a gift. My wife dominated Tetris on it, LOL!

But that's pretty much the extent of handhelds for me. My son does have a Switch. His friends got together and all chipped in to buy him one. And when he was younger we got him a Nintendo DS. I didn't realize until later on though that I'd ordered it through a pawn shop that had an eBay storefront - so some kid lost their pawned DS to my son. Ah well…I never told him though.

I haven’t actually seen any 15PM models being sold by carriers where I’m from. The 16PM is still an incredible device, though, I was seriously considering getting one myself until I learned just how powerful the A19 Pro chip is. It’s the A-Series equivalent to the M5 chip, and represents more than just a small iterative step forward; it’s a genuine leap in capability over the A18 Pro.

Enjoy your 15PM/16PM when you do pick it up, either will easily serve you well for years. I’m planning to hold onto my 17 Pro until at least 2030.

I’m a 90s kid, but I grew up with pretty much every handheld from the 2000s onward; the GBA, DS, 3DS, PSP, PS Vita, Switch, and now the Switch 2. I had a Steam Deck for a while but sold it because I am not really into the handheld PC space.

 

[eyoungren]

I haven’t actually seen any 15PM models being sold by carriers where I’m from. The 16PM is still an incredible device, though, I was seriously considering getting one myself until I learned just how powerful the A19 Pro chip is. It’s the A-Series equivalent to the M5 chip, and represents more than just a small iterative step forward; it’s a genuine leap in capability over the A18 Pro.

Enjoy your 15PM/16PM when you do pick it up, either will easily serve you well for years. I’m planning to hold onto my 17 Pro until at least 2030.

I’m a 90s kid, but I grew up with pretty much every handheld from the 2000s onward; the GBA, DS, 3DS, PSP, PS Vita, Switch, and now the Switch 2. I had a Steam Deck for a while but sold it because I am not really into the handheld PC space.

You're probably the age of my second cousins (or perhaps a bit younger). I made a series of summer visits in 1990, 1992 and 1993. They had a NES (in 1990 at least) and were pretty much using it every day I was there visiting.

 

[winxmac]

If you have an iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max, it is still worth keeping at this point even after the release of iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

iPhone 13 Pro - 12MP ultrawide, 12MP wide, 12MP telephoto
iPhone 17 Pro - 48MP ultrawide, 48MP wide, 48MP telephoto

If you want the best iPhone for macro photography, I would say it is still iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

iPhone 14 Pro and newer has a higher/longer minimum focus distance compared to iPhone 13 Pro.

If USB Type C is your primary reason for upgrading from an iPhone 13 Pro to an iPhone 17 Pro, I wouldn't blame you.

 

[klasma]

The best thing about the 13 is that there’s a mini version of it!

 

[zerocharlie]

Curious: what AAA games can’t play on an iPhone 13?

 

[Andeddu]

Curious: what AAA games can’t play on an iPhone 13?

The only AAA game it can play is:

• Alien Isolation

It can’t run any of the Resident Evil remakes, including:

• Resident Evil 2
• Resident Evil 3
• Resident Evil 4
• Resident Evil 7
• Resident Evil Village

nor can it run:

• Assassin’s Creed Mirage
• Death Stranding
• Hitman: World of Assassination

There are other AAA games coming but these will do me fine for a couple of years, lol.

The majority of AAA games (all except Alien Isolation) require a 15PM minimum and some of these games, such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage, don’t perform particularly well on that device.

 

[BeerDrinkerDan]

Still using mine! I replaced the battery in June and intend to keep it for as long as I can. Not going to iOS 26 unless I have to.

-bdd

 

[Reverend Benny]

The only AAA game it can play is:

• Alien Isolation

It can’t run any of the Resident Evil remakes, including:

• Resident Evil 2
• Resident Evil 3
• Resident Evil 4
• Resident Evil 7
• Resident Evil Village

nor can it run:

• Assassin’s Creed Mirage
• Death Stranding
• Hitman: World of Assassination

There are other AAA games coming but these will do me fine for a couple of years, lol.

The majority of AAA games (all except Alien Isolation) require a 15PM minimum and some of these games, such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage, don’t perform particularly well on that device.

Ah man, RE2 and 3 remakes are such brilliant games. Played it on my ps5 recently. If they are as good on iOS you’re in for a treat

 

[Andeddu]

Ah man, RE2 and 3 remakes are such brilliant games. Played it on my ps5 recently. If they are as good on iOS you’re in for a treat

They’re true 1:1 ports, so it’s the exact same game. Obviously the resolution will be a lot lower (albeit on a smaller screen so it still looks very sharp, and the frame-rate is 30fps rather than 60fps compared to the PS5). I’m about two-thirds of the way through Resident Evil 2, and it’s absolutely incredible, far better than I expected!

 

[riptilian]

I kept my iPhone 13 Pro for 4 years, planning to use it for another 1-2 years before trading it in. The only difficulty I had with the phone was with the call audio, which I attributed to my continuing age-related hearing loss. I have used Bluetooth to deliver sound to my hearing aids through a proprietary app, Oticon Companion.
Verizon, out of the blue, offered a 16 Pro for the phone, so I took it. The improvement in call audio, combined with improved reception in comparatively "dead" areas, made me feel young again!
Within 2 weeks, another Verizon offer appeared—this time to exchange the 16 Pro for a 17 Pro. OK..... So glad I did. The 17 Pro gave another leap in call audio and signal sensitivity over the 16 Pro. Music sounded much fuller as well.
I don't miss the 13 pro at all, but I do agree with the comments above that it is nearly as good as the newer models for all other functions, but sound has become my #1 criterion in evaluating a phone.