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The iPhone 13 is the oldest phone in our library, and it still uses a Lightning port, so the cable and charger you need differ from every iPhone since the iPhone 15. Apple no longer lists it on its main iPhone page, but it remains common on the used and refurbished market. This page collects Apple’s documented specifications and iFixit’s repair information, and explains what they mean for the cable and charger you need. Every figure is traced to a source listed at the bottom of the page.
Key specs
| Release date | 2021-09-24 |
|---|---|
| Status | Older model |
| Charging port | Lightning |
| Wireless charging | Qi, Qi2, MagSafe |
| Charger in box | No |
| Display type | OLED |
| Display size (in) | 6.1 |
| Chip | A15 Bionic |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Launch price (USD, MSRP) | $799 |
Several blanks are deliberate. The USB spec row is empty because Apple lists a Lightning connector without a USB data speed. The wired charging row is empty because Apple gives a fast-charge claim tied to a 20W adapter, not a maximum wattage. The refresh rate row is empty because Apple lists no ProMotion or refresh rate for this model. The iFixit score row is empty because iFixit’s device page showed no score when we checked.
Where does the iPhone 13 fit?
Apple introduced the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini on September 14, 2021, with pre-orders from Friday, September 17 and availability from Friday, September 24. Apple said the iPhone 13 starts at $799 in the US before trade-in, and the iPhone 13 mini at $699. Apple lists five aluminum colors in its launch post: (PRODUCT)RED, starlight, midnight, blue and pink, and its specification page also lists green. Storage options are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
We found no sales ranking that names the iPhone 13, so it ranks fortieth in our library on the strength of Apple’s own compare page, which lists it among older iPhones. Apple’s main lineup page now lists the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e and iPhone 16, so we mark the phone as discontinued; carriers and retailers may still stock it. See the Apple hub for current models, including the iPhone 14.
What cable does the iPhone 13 use?
The iPhone 13 has a Lightning connector. Apple’s specifications list a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box and say it supports fast charging and is compatible with USB-C power adapters and computer ports. Apple also encourages you to re-use your current USB-A to Lightning cables and power adapters, which are compatible with these models.
Apple’s page about the USB-C to Lightning cable says it can charge and sync devices including iPhone and that certain iPhone models are fast-charge compatible when connected to certain USB-C power adapters using the cable. Our Lightning page summarizes the connector, and USB-C versus Lightning compares the two. If you want a USB-C cable for your other devices, read our USB-C explainer and cable buying safety. The USB-IF says USB products run at the lowest common speed; see the USB speed guide.
What charger does the iPhone 13 need?
Wired. Apple lists the iPhone 13 as fast-charge capable: up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher (available separately). The phone does not include a power adapter. See the wattage guide and USB Power Delivery.
MagSafe. Apple lists MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W. Apple’s MagSafe page groups this generation with models that reach up to 15W with a 20W or greater USB-C power adapter and a MagSafe Charger with part number A2140, and says charging is limited to 7.5W while USB-C or Lightning accessories are connected. Plug the charger into power before placing the phone on it, so MagSafe can verify it is safe to deliver maximum power.
Qi2 and Qi. Apple’s specification page for the iPhone 13 also lists Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W and Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W; we report those figures as Apple lists them. See Qi explained, Qi2 explained and the wireless charger guide. For a checklist, read which charger is safe for my phone.
The screen, explained
The iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch all-screen OLED display, branded Super Retina XDR, at 2532-by-1170 pixels and 460 ppi. Apple lists a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 800 nits typical maximum brightness and 1200 nits peak for HDR. OLED means each pixel makes its own light, which is why dark areas can be very dark; see OLED explained. Apple’s launch post says the display is 28 percent brighter in maximum outdoor brightness than before, at 800 nits, while being more power efficient, and that a redesigned TrueDepth camera system is smaller. Apple lists no ProMotion or adaptive refresh rate for this model, so our table leaves the refresh rate blank; the refresh rate guide explains the numbers on other iPhones, and LTPO OLED explains the panel type behind adaptive refresh.
Performance, cameras and battery
The A15 Bionic chip has a 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, a 4-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, according to Apple’s specifications. Apple’s launch post calls it a powerhouse chip and says it helps deliver an impressive leap in battery life.
The dual-camera system has a Wide camera (f/1.6, sensor-shift optical image stabilization) and an Ultra Wide camera (f/2.4, 120-degree field of view). Apple’s launch post says the new Wide camera has 1.7 µm pixels and the biggest sensor ever in an iPhone dual-camera system, and it introduced Cinematic mode, which records videos with automatic focus changes and a depth effect. Apple lists Cinematic mode at 1080p and 30 frames per second on this model. The front camera is f/2.2.
For battery life Apple lists up to 19 hours of video playback, up to 15 hours of streamed video and up to 75 hours of audio playback. Apple’s launch post says the iPhone 13 offers up to two and a half more hours in a day than the iPhone 12. These are manufacturer figures.
Build and connectivity
The iPhone 13 has an aluminum design with a Ceramic Shield front and a glass back. It is rated IP68, with a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under IEC standard 60529. It measures 5.78 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide and 0.30 inch deep and weighs 6.14 ounces (174 grams). It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, an Ultra Wideband chip and 5G on sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands with 4x4 MIMO. Apple lists dual SIM with a nano-SIM and an eSIM, and notes eSIM is not supported in all regions.
How it compares with the iPhone 14
Apple’s pages show the iPhone 14 as a modest step. Both are 6.1-inch OLED phones with a Lightning port, the A15 Bionic chip and a $799 launch price. The iPhone 14 has a 12MP Main camera at f/1.5 against f/1.6, a 5-core GPU against 4-core, Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, up to 20 hours of video playback against 19, and adds Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite. Apple lists dual eSIM for the iPhone 14 rather than a nano-SIM plus eSIM.
What is in the box
Apple’s specifications list the iPhone, a USB-C to Lightning cable and documentation, and say the iPhone 13 does not include a power adapter or EarPods. Apple encourages you to re-use your current USB-A to Lightning cables, power adapters and headphones.
Repair overview
iFixit’s device page for the iPhone 13 lists guides for parts including the battery, screen, speakers and Wi-Fi chip, but showed no repairability score when we checked. Two guides we verified are iPhone 13 Battery Replacement and iPhone 13 Battery Disconnection. We link to the pages and never copy iFixit’s text.
Read our repair overview for the iPhone 13, battery replacement basics, screen replacement basics and how to read repairability scores. Apple says a professional provider using genuine parts is the safest route for most battery repairs, which matters on a phone that is several years old.
Video reviews
We have not verified individual review videos for this phone, so we do not list any. You can browse more video reviews of the iPhone 13 on YouTube.
Compatible accessories
Categories to look at: MagSafe cases, 20W chargers, USB-C to Lightning cables and screen protectors. We do not have affiliate links yet; when we do they will be marked as paid links.
See the accessories hub, chargers and power banks, which have airline rules.
Who should buy it, and who might skip it
Facts that help you decide:
- You already own Lightning cables and chargers. The iPhone 13 uses them and Apple encourages re-using them.
- You want MagSafe accessories. Apple lists MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W.
- You want USB-C. The iPhone 13 has a Lightning port.
- You want a charger included. None is in the box.
- You want a smooth 120Hz screen. Apple lists no ProMotion for this model.
- You want a phone Apple still lists. It is not on Apple’s main lineup page.