iPhone 13 vs iPhone 15
Short answer: yes, the iPhone 15 is worth getting over the iPhone 13 if the price gap fits your budget. It adds Dynamic Island, a brighter screen (2000 nits outdoors), a 48MP main camera with a sharp 2x option, the faster A16 Bionic, USB-C and a slightly bigger battery. The iPhone 13 is still a solid, cheaper choice for calls, WhatsApp and social media.
Updated 11 November 2026
Design and build
Both are 6.1 inch phones with aluminium frames, Ceramic Shield front glass and IP68 rating. The iPhone 13 weighs 174 g and measures 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm. The iPhone 15 weighs 171 g and measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, with softer rounded edges that feel nicer in the hand.
The iPhone 15 has a matte colour-infused glass back in Black, Blue, Green, Yellow and Pink. The iPhone 13 has a glossy back. The biggest visible change is the front: notch on the 13, Dynamic Island on the 15.
Display
Both use a 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED at 60Hz. The iPhone 13 is 1170 x 2532 with up to 1200 nits HDR peak. The iPhone 15 is 1179 x 2556 and reaches 2000 nits outdoors.
The brighter screen of the iPhone 15 is much easier to read in strong sunlight. Dynamic Island also shows calls, rides and music in a useful way. Neither phone has 120Hz.
Performance and chipset
The iPhone 13 uses the A15 Bionic (5 nm, 4-core GPU). The iPhone 15 uses the A16 Bionic (4 nm, 5-core GPU), the chip from the iPhone 14 Pro.
Both handle daily apps smoothly. The A16 gives better gaming performance and more room for future iOS updates.
Cameras
The iPhone 13 has a 12MP main and 12MP ultra-wide. The iPhone 15 has a 48MP main and 12MP ultra-wide. The 48MP sensor gives more detail and a 2x option that looks like a real zoom lens, great for portraits. Both have a 12MP front camera.
Both record 4K 60fps Dolby Vision video. Night photos are better on the iPhone 15, and portraits can be focused after taking the shot.
Battery and charging
The iPhone 13 has a 3240 mAh battery and the iPhone 15 has 3349 mAh. Real backup is a bit better on the iPhone 15 thanks to its more efficient chip. Both charge to about 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter and support 15W MagSafe. The iPhone 15 adds Qi2.
The iPhone 15 uses USB-C, so the same cable charges your laptop, Android phone and iPhone. The iPhone 13 still uses Lightning. Check battery health on used units; see our iPhone battery health guide (iPhone Battery Health: How to Check It and What Is Normal).
Specs side by side
- Chipset: A15 Bionic vs A16 Bionic
- Display: 6.1 inch 60Hz OLED (notch) vs 6.1 inch 60Hz OLED (Dynamic Island)
- Peak brightness: 1200 nits vs 2000 nits
- Main camera: 12MP vs 48MP
- Ultra-wide: 12MP vs 12MP
- Battery: 3240 mAh vs 3349 mAh
- Port: Lightning vs USB-C
- Wireless: 15W MagSafe vs 15W MagSafe, Qi2
- Bluetooth: 5.0 vs 5.3
- Weight: 174 g vs 171 g
- Launch software: iOS 15 vs iOS 17
Software and updates
The iPhone 13 launched with iOS 15 and the iPhone 15 with iOS 17. Both run current iOS in 2026, but the iPhone 15 should get about two more years of major updates. Neither supports Apple Intelligence; that needs an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. The iPhone 15 also has Crash Detection.
Non PTA and SIM notes in Pakistan
Our iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 units are used Non PTA phones with original IMEIs, checked before dispatch, with 100% battery health shown on the page. A Non PTA iPhone is not registered with PTA's DIRBS, so a local SIM works only for a limited time unless you register it and pay the PTA tax. Wi-Fi and every other feature work normally. Read our PTA tax guide (PTA Tax on Mobile Phones: How It Is Calculated and Paid).
The iPhone 13 has a nano-SIM plus eSIM. US iPhone 15 units are eSIM only; most other variants have nano-SIM plus eSIM. Every order comes with a 7-day checking warranty.
Who should buy which
Buy the iPhone 13 if you want a dependable iPhone at the lowest cost and you are happy with Lightning and a notch.
Buy the iPhone 15 if you want Dynamic Island, a brighter screen, the 48MP camera, USB-C and two extra years of updates. To compare the middle step, read iPhone 13 vs iPhone 14 (iPhone 13 vs iPhone 14) or iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15 (iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15).
