iPhone 13 Pro Vs iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:326.00

Versus €1,159.00 new

See options
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:525.00

Versus €1,165.38 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 13 Pro, released in September 2021, and the iPhone 15 Pro, launched in September 2023, represent two generations of Apple's professional-grade smartphones. While both offer a premium user experience, the iPhone 15 Pro introduces significant advancements in materials, processing power, and camera capabilities, alongside a shift to a universal charging standard.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support, physical durability, and ease of repair.

  • Release Timeline and Age: The iPhone 13 Pro was released in September 2021, making it two years older than the iPhone 15 Pro, which launched in September 2023. This age difference directly impacts the duration of future software updates.
  • OS Support Duration: The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to receive major iOS updates for a longer period, likely until at least 2028, offering several more years of software longevity compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, which is anticipated to receive updates until late 2026 or early 2027. [1]
  • Repairability: The iPhone 13 Pro received an iFixit repairability score of 5 out of 10, noting that while display and battery replacements are prioritized, other repairs can be challenging due to screw types and software limitations that could affect features like Face ID with non-genuine parts. [10, 16, 18, 42, 43] The iPhone 15 Pro, however, has seen improvements in repairability, with an iFixit score of 7 out of 10, partly due to a redesigned internal chassis that facilitates easier back glass replacement and software changes that make third-party repairs more feasible. [15, 41]
  • Build Materials: The iPhone 13 Pro features a stainless steel frame, while the iPhone 15 Pro utilizes a lighter and more durable aerospace-grade titanium frame, which also contributes to better heat dissipation. Both models feature Ceramic Shield on the front for enhanced drop protection. [1, 6, 13, 14, 23, 28, 30]

Year of Release

2021

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for handling daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking. Both devices offer robust performance, but the newer model brings notable enhancements.

  • Processor Capabilities: The iPhone 15 Pro features a more advanced processor, which translates to smoother operation, faster app loading times, and more efficient handling of graphically intensive games and professional applications. Users will experience a more responsive interface and quicker processing for tasks like video editing or complex computations. [3, 7]
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: While both phones are capable multitaskers, the iPhone 15 Pro's newer processor and potentially optimized memory management allow for a more seamless transition between numerous open applications and a consistently fluid user experience, even under heavy load.
  • Storage Options: Both models offer a range of storage configurations, typically starting from 128GB and extending up to 1TB, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. [7, 12]
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 13 Pro offers strong battery life, capable of lasting a full day for many users. [5] The iPhone 15 Pro also provides comparable battery longevity, with Apple stating up to 23 hours of video playback, supported by a slightly larger battery capacity than its immediate predecessor. [1, 15]

Memory

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both iPhone Pro models offer high-quality viewing experiences with some key distinctions.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: Both devices feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The iPhone 13 Pro has a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels, while the iPhone 15 Pro offers a slightly higher 2556x1179 pixels, both at approximately 460 pixels per inch, ensuring sharp visuals. [2, 3, 4, 11, 19, 21, 28]
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both models incorporate ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 10Hz to 120Hz. This dynamic adjustment provides smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and enhanced responsiveness during gaming, while also conserving battery life when high refresh rates are not needed. [2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 19, 21, 28]
  • Brightness Levels: The iPhone 13 Pro achieves a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits. [2, 6, 21] The iPhone 15 Pro enhances this with a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits, a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, and an impressive peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, making it more visible in bright sunlight. [1, 3, 11]
  • Design Elements: A notable difference is the iPhone 15 Pro's adoption of the Dynamic Island, which replaces the traditional notch found on the iPhone 13 Pro. The Dynamic Island integrates alerts and background activities into an interactive area at the top of the display. The iPhone 15 Pro also features an Always-On display, which the iPhone 13 Pro lacks. [3, 11, 28]

Resolution

1170 x 2532

1179 x 2556

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both iPhone Pro models are known for their advanced camera systems, delivering high-quality photography and videography capabilities, with the newer model introducing significant upgrades.

  • Main Camera System: The iPhone 13 Pro features a triple 12MP camera system, including Wide (f/1.5), Ultra-Wide (f/1.8), and Telephoto (3x optical zoom, f/2.8) lenses. [5, 6, 17, 20, 31, 34] The iPhone 15 Pro elevates this with a 48MP Main camera (f/1.78) that can capture detailed 24MP or 48MP photos, alongside a 12MP Ultra Wide (f/2.2) and a 12MP 3x Telephoto (f/2.8) lens. [3, 7, 8, 11, 30, 33, 37, 39]
  • Low-Light Performance and Features: Both phones excel in low-light conditions, but the iPhone 15 Pro offers improved low-light performance across its cameras due to larger sensors and enhanced image processing. [8, 39] The iPhone 13 Pro introduced Cinematic Mode and ProRes video recording. [6, 17] The iPhone 15 Pro further refines video capabilities with features like Log recording and the ability to record ProRes video directly to an external drive, catering to professional workflows. [33, 35]
  • Photography Enhancements: The iPhone 13 Pro brought macro photography and improved sensor-shift optical image stabilization. [5, 6, 17] The iPhone 15 Pro introduces a next-generation Portrait Mode that automatically captures depth information, and its 48MP main sensor allows for more versatile cropping and higher-resolution images. [8, 33]
  • Audio Quality: Both devices offer high-quality stereo speakers and advanced microphone systems for clear calls and audio recording.

Main camera

12 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical features and design elements differentiate these two professional iPhone models.

  • Connectivity: Both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro support 5G cellular connectivity and advanced Wi-Fi standards for fast wireless internet. The iPhone 15 Pro, however, supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, offering potentially faster speeds and more stable connections compared to the iPhone 13 Pro's Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. [3]
  • Charging Port: A significant change in the iPhone 15 Pro is the adoption of a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning port found on the iPhone 13 Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro's USB-C port supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, allowing for data transfer rates up to 10Gbps, which is considerably faster than the Lightning port's USB 2.0 speeds. [1, 3, 24, 26, 32, 38]
  • Physical Design and Materials: The iPhone 13 Pro features a stainless steel frame, while the iPhone 15 Pro utilizes a lighter and more durable aerospace-grade titanium frame. This change makes the iPhone 15 Pro noticeably lighter. The iPhone 15 Pro also introduces a customizable Action Button, replacing the traditional mute switch. [1, 13, 14, 27, 28, 30]
  • Sensors and Biometrics: Both models rely on Face ID for secure facial recognition. The iPhone 15 Pro includes a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enhancing features like Precision Finding. [3, 30]

Weight

203 g

171 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

USB-C (USB 3)

The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro both deliver a premium smartphone experience, but they cater to slightly different priorities. Users often praise the iPhone 13 Pro for its robust build, excellent camera system, and strong battery life, which were significant advancements at its release. Criticisms sometimes centered on its weight and the continued use of the notch. [5, 29, 31, 34]

The iPhone 15 Pro, on the other hand, is frequently lauded for its lighter titanium design, the versatility of its upgraded camera system with 48MP main sensor and advanced video features, and the adoption of the universal USB-C port with faster data transfer speeds. The Dynamic Island and Action Button are also commonly cited as positive user experience enhancements. Some users might note that while the camera improvements are substantial, the overall design language remains familiar. [1, 7, 8, 14, 27, 30, 33, 35, 37, 39]

Users prioritizing a device with the longest possible software support, the latest processing power for demanding tasks like high-end gaming or professional video editing, and the convenience of USB-C connectivity will find the iPhone 15 Pro well-suited to their needs. Its lighter titanium build and enhanced outdoor display brightness also make it a strong choice for those who value portability and outdoor visibility. Conversely, users who seek a highly capable and durable device for everyday use, with an excellent camera system that still performs well in various conditions, may find the iPhone 13 Pro to be a compelling option. It continues to offer a premium experience, especially for those who do not require the absolute latest in processing power or the fastest data transfer speeds.

For those considering either model, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative to extend the life cycle of these devices.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons