iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 13 Pro Buyer's Guide

[ivantheipodder]

LOL, smarphones cameras works differently from prof cameras...optical zoom is optical zoom...you cant deny it that iphone has 2x optical zoom and not just digital zoom...physics dont lie thats why smartphones are getting ridiculous with multiple lenses on the back

Sony Confirms Xperia 1 III Phone With Jaw-Dropping New Camera Technology

Actually, Sony has just announced not one but three phones, with ingenious elements that set the company apart.

www.forbes.com

"As you’ll know, the real Achilles heel of any camera phone is optical zoom. You can’t build moving lenses into a phone unless you bulk up the size of the phone unacceptably. Except, in a particular way, that’s what Sony has done."

 

[DC7222]

I’m going to hang onto my 12 Pro Max. Apple is being so disrespectful to customers, a $1500 1TB phone with Lightning.
I really hope the EU mandates USB-C. Similarly bundling Lightning-USB C cables that do not work with 99% of all Apple mobile device charging bricks ever shipped. This is the side of Tim Cooks Apple I really dislike.

I'm glad more people are getting frustrated with the continued use of the lightning port. The lack of USB-C is definitely a drag on otherwise never devices.

 

[siddavis]

I’m going to hang onto my 12 Pro Max. Apple is being so disrespectful to customers, a $1500 1TB phone with Lightning.
I really hope the EU mandates USB-C. Similarly bundling Lightning-USB C cables that do not work with 99% of all Apple mobile device charging bricks ever shipped. This is the side of Tim Cooks Apple I really dislike.

You just made you voice heard in the best possible way. No need for bureaucracy to mandate your wants - it's just not the intent of government.

And I agree with you...

 

[jbp238]

Ok, still have a 7+, why should i exchange it for a 13 pro?
What's the real upgrade for an average user? (Whatsapp, mail, safari, no games what-so-ever)

As far as your particular usage goes, the 7+ is absolutely fine.

For me, the most significant upgrade the 13 line offers (camera hardware) is only applicable to the Pro models. There's little feature distinction between the base 13 and much older models—only incremental upgrades over what are still perfectly useful devices. And the 13 mini addresses somewhat the battery complaints of the 12 mini, both of which offer an otherwise unserved form factor.

Obviously different people have different use cases, but generally the regular 13 seems to be the odd one out this cycle.

 

[davidako]

smarphones cameras works differently from prof cameras(because of course of the physics)...Optical zoom on phones is actually multi-camera zoom. ... For example, if a phone has a telephoto lens with a 52mm focal length and a 26mm wide-angle lens, this gives you the zoom range of 2x optical zoom. Our phones, however, switch to a second, different focal length camera to get an optically zoomed image. Optical zoom is optical zoom...you cant deny it that iphone has 2x optical zoom and not just digital zoom...physics dont lie thats why smartphones are getting ridiculous with multiple lenses on the back. Anyone can make a difference between an optical zoom and digital
But again, thinking like an old fart, yes:

Is it actually optical zoom?​

No, not really. Unlike with traditional camera zoom lenses, smartphone optical zoom does not have any actual moving glass elements, so it is difficult to classify it as such. However, it does work through the optics of all the cameras. I guess it was with that in mind that smartphone companies decided to market it as optical zoom.

Apple would be more accurate if they called it 3x super-optical zoom instead. But do we really want to encourage that. Of all the things Apple lies or exaggerates about, this is the strangest of hills to die on.

 

[Eduardo1971]

As someone who always sticks with the "Pro" series iPhone; I'm always envious of the colourful choices available to the entry-level iPhones.

I have choose silver yet again *weep*.

The new pink on the 13 is gorgeous.

 

[JosephAW]

And no usb c.
You'd think they would embrace thunderbolt at least with a lightning connector.

 

[SqB]

Thanks but I’ll stick to my landline until apple gives us enough of a reason to upgrade.

Landline, pshaw. My trusty telegraph key is still working like the day it was made. Just a little oil on the hinge and I can wait another year for Tim Apple to finally grant all my wishes.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

If you pay monthly, the price difference between 13 and 13 Pro is tough to notice IMO.

 

[ebika]

It's not pedantry. It's a fact.

Pedantry doesn't mean they're not facts. You're right, there is no optical zoom. However, if the experience results in various focal lengths for the user, I personally don't care, since it's equivalent to optical zoom. Yes, zoom in between those fixed lengths is managed by software. Still don't care on my phone. +1 to pedantry.

 

[ivantheipodder]

Pedantry doesn't mean they're not facts. You're right, there is no optical zoom. However, if the experience results in various focal lengths for the user, I personally don't care, since it's equivalent to optical zoom. Yes, zoom in between those fixed lengths is managed by software. Still don't care on my phone. +1 to pedantry.

Fair enough. And yes a lot of people don't care or see the difference.

 

[julesme]

Correct, they are fixed focal lengths. They do not change, hence they do not zoom.

If there is no optical zoom, how does it achieve focal lengths between the prime lenses, i.e., since the telephoto is 3x the wide, what is occurring when I'm looking at 1.5x the wide?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm upgrading from the 8, and I haven't used the telephoto lens yet.

 

[ivantheipodder]

If there is no optical zoom, how does it achieve focal lengths between the prime lenses, i.e., since the telephoto is 3x the wide, what is occurring when I'm looking at 1.5x the wide?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm upgrading from the 8, and I haven't used the telephoto lens yet.

When you're looking at 1.5x the wide, the phone crops the image (digital zoom) to show you an approximately 40mm FOV from the 26mm wide lens and applies upscaling so your result image does not lose pixels as you would in normal cropping.

 

[bbeagle]

Thanks but I’ll stick to my landline until apple gives us enough of a reason to upgrade.

If you're still on the fence regarding a 1921 landline vs. 2021 cellphone, you can use this as a first step in the transition.

Amazon link

 

[MICHAELSD]

I like Pacific Blue a lot more than Sierra Blue. It was the perfect navy blue color.

I’m just glad they kept blue for a second year in a row since it looks great on this design. Sierra Blue may be deceptively nice in person.

 

[xbigriffx]

For me it's less about whether the Pro is worth $200 more, and more about the fact that not having an optical zoom on the regular 13 is a deal breaker.

 

[xbigriffx]

For the hundredth time, the Pro camera tele lens does not optically zoom. None of the lenses do. It's three prime lenses. It's almost false advertising from Apple.

Please explain a little more. I haven't heard about this.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I opted for the iPhone 12 last year over the 12 Pro and to be honest if I was in the market for a phone this year I’d definitely go for the 13. The differences the Pro offers just isn’t worth the extra £200 for me personally. The 13 is a decent phone and offers enough of the important features for it to be an easy decision IMHO. It all depends on what the individual values in a phone

 

[mashdots]

Honestly, if you needing to ask, then maybe not really necessary?

However, things to consider in your case:

- warranty coverage
- better cameras all around
- full-screen & Face ID (personal preference, of course)
- wireless charging support (if that's your thing)
- different form factor (gotta live a little, right?)

there's also durability (dust, water, materials), not to mention a huge performance boost. going from a10 to a15 is significant

 

[Malkie0831]

I’m just glad they kept blue for a second year in a row since it looks great on this design. Sierra Blue may be deceptively nice in person.

Shame there is no blue leather case to go with it. I chose the Blue phone and Apple suggested a Green Case!!!

 

[ivantheipodder]

Please explain a little more. I haven't heard about this.

 

[Mrjetsondc]

Math: 829 for the unlocked 13.
999 for the unlocked Pro.

170 dollar difference.

over 24 months, 7 bucks extra for a much better phone.

I did the pro for first time ever.

 

[umbilical]

I'll get the 12S (13) mini because I'm still on a 5S but the real "new" phone should be the 14, I can't wait more to a 14, so I'll get the 12S (13).

 

[MICHAELSD]

Shame there is no blue leather case to go with it. I chose the Blue phone and Apple suggested a Green Case!!!

I haven’t been a major fan of Apple’s leather cases. Silicone provides better protection and grip. They do have a blue silicone case. I’d also check an alternative such as Vaja.

 

[lakerchick4life]

I think for someone like me, a first time iphone buyer..it makes sense to just stick with the iphone 13 256gb for 899..I cant justify spending an additional 200 bucks just to get a better camera, if the only difference between both are the camera I will just stick with the iphone 13..I can always next yr trade in and get the iphone 14 if its something better I didnt pre order yet, waiting til there are reviews on it first then I will tell my bro in law to order it on his tmobile family plan