Video playback: 22 h Video (streaming): 20 h Audio playback: 75 h
Video playback: 23 h Video (streaming): 20 h Audio playback: 75 h
Fast recharging
20 W (cable) 15 W (MagSafe) 7.5 W (Qi)
20 W (cable) 15 W (MagSafe) 7.5 W (Qi)
Resistance
IP68 Ceramic Shield, stainless steel frame
IP68 Ceramic Shield, titanium frame
Connectivity
eSIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, UWB
eSIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, UWB 2, satellite
Dimensions and weight
146.7 × 71.5 × 7.65 mm | 203 g
146.6 × 70.6 × 8.25 mm | 187 g
Note
Read the iPhone 13 Pro review
Not yet tested
Offer
As the iPhone 15 Pro is quite similar to the iPhone 14 Pro (review), the upgrade is not so obvious. But things are different for the iPhone 13 Pro. That’s why we’ve compared the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro to see whether you should buy Apple’s new model or not.
While we await our full iPhone 15 Pro test, this comparison is based on technical data sheets and will be updated with test impressions to help you make an even more informed decision.
Contents:
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: Design and screen
Already outdone in terms of design by the iPhone 14 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro differs quite visibly from Apple’s new flagship. This year, the Californian manufacturer offers a revised design with less protruding edges and, above all, a new material.
While the iPhone 13 Pro is made of glass on the front and back, like the 15 Pro, the shiny stainless steel frame has been replaced by a matte titanium frame to great effect. In addition to reducing fingerprints, the use of titanium has reduced weight.
Apple has replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island since last year, and the thinner screen edges give the iPhone 13 Pro a touch of age. Another notable change is that the silent mode slider has been replaced by an action button that offers far more possibilities.
On the back, the photo module is more prominent, with an island that now protrudes instead of sinking into the body. In a small detail, the photo module is now exactly the same color as the rest of the back. And by the way, Apple has finally replaced its Lightning port with USB-C across the entire iPhone range.
As mentioned above, the main differences on the screen are the Dynamic Island and the thinner edges. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Oled panel is still available, as is the 120Hz refresh rate thanks to Pro Motion mode, but the resolution differs very slightly.
One of the big differences is the iPhone 15 Pro’s Always on Display mode. Brightness rises to 2000 Nits on the iPhone 15 Pro, compared with 1000 Nits.
Both models feature IP68 certification and Ceramic Shield glass protection. The iPhone 13 Pro is available in Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue, while the iPhone 15 Pro comes in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Nature Titanium.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: Performance
A17 Pro vs A15 Bionic, I think there’s no suspense when it comes to performance. The iPhone 15 Pro will offer you much better performance than the 13 Pro, although the latter is still powerful enough in 2023 to guarantee an enjoyable experience.
The A15 Bionic includes 6 CPU cores, 5 GPU cores, and 16 cores for the Neural Engine. The new 17 Pro SoC offers the same features but with an extra GPU core and Ray Tracing. The iPhone 13 Pro offers 6GB of RAM, compared with 8GB for Apple’s latest flagship.
Apple announced that its new iPhone 15 Pro is powerful enough to run AAA games like on a console. To give you an idea, we were able to subject the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max, which have the same SoCs as the 15 Pro and 13 Pro, to our benchmarks, and here are the results:
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro Max
3D Mark Wild Life
Too powerful
9729
3D Mark Wild Life Extreme
3998
3840
3D Mark Wild Life Stress Test
Best loop: 9991 Worst loop: 8709
Best loop: 9732 Worst loop: 8111
Geekbench 5/6
Geekbench 6: Single: 2936 Multi: 7453
Geekbench 5: Single: 1729 Multi: 4714
We can clearly see that the performance of the iPhone 15 Pro is far superior to that of the iPhone 13 Pro. Also, unsurprisingly, storage is not expandable, and you can opt for 128, 256, 512 GB, or 1 TB in both cases.
In terms of connectivity, the iPhone 15 Pro offers Wi-Fi 6E versus Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 versus Bluetooth 5.0, UWB 2 versus UWB 1. The iPhone 15 Pro is also the only model of the two to offer emergency SOS via satellite and accident detection.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: Photo quality
Two years have passed between the launch of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. Apple has made some notable changes to its photo module, and the most important is undoubtedly the new 48 MP main lens. It replaced the 12 MP lens on the iPhone 13 Pro last year.
What hasn’t changed, however, is the duo of sensors that accompany it. There’s still a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 12 MP telephoto lens with x3 optical zoom.
The iPhone 13 Pro and 15 Pro are both very good photo smartphones, but it has to be said that the iPhone 15 Pro is better equipped and should therefore logically produce better-quality images. The latter, for example, is capable of taking lossless 2x zoom photos thanks to its 48 MP Quad Pixel sensor.
The iPhone 15 Pro also sets itself apart from its predecessor with features such as Action mode, a portrait mode that can be edited in post-production, and the ability to film in Log profile. Once the iPhone 15 Pro review has been published, we’ll update this section, including the galleries.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: Interface/OS
Thanks to Apple’s excellent update policy, the two models are on an equal footing, both running iOS 17. So you’ll be able to take advantage of the latest OS features, especially as functions like NameDrop, Contact Posters, and Live Sticker are available for all iPhones running iOS 17.
However, the iPhone 15 Pro has the upper hand when it comes to longevity, as it is expected to be updated until 2028, whereas Apple is set to stop updating the iPhone 13 Pro in 2026.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: Battery life and fast recharging
Apple never discloses the exact battery capacities of these smartphones. On both models, Apple claims 20 hours of video streaming and 75 hours of audio playback, but the iPhone 15 Pro lasts 1 hour longer in video playback, with 23 hours versus 22 for the iPhone 13 Pro.
Clearly, the increase in autonomy is not drastic, at least in theory. In our test of the iPhone 13 Pro, it lasted 14 hours with the screen on. We’ll update this section with the results of the iPhone 15 Pro battery life test.
As far as recharging is concerned, we know that officially, wired recharging of the iPhone 15 Pro can reach 20 W (unofficially up to 27 W). With MagSafe, you’ll be able to recharge at 15 W, compared with 7.5 W with Qi charging.
The features are identical in the iPhone 13 Pro, except that the latter charges via a Lightning port, unlike the iPhone 15 Pro, which has switched to USB-C. In both cases, Apple does not supply chargers in the box.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: Price and availability
Released in 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro has seen its price naturally drop. Launched at $999, its price floated around $900 right after its successor launched. It’s worth noting that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find it new at retailers, and Apple no longer offers it on its website.
The iPhone 15 Pro was launched at the same price tiers as its predecessor, starting at $999. Take a look at our buying guide showing how to pre-order the iPhone 15 Pro (Max) at the best price. Below is a table comparing the launch recommended retail prices (MSRP) of the iPhone 13 Pro and 15 Pro:
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
128 GB
$999
$999
256 GB
$1099
$1099
512 GB
$1299
$1299
1 TB
$1499
$1499
Conclusion
Without having tested the iPhone 15 Pro, it’s difficult to give a clear recommendation and therefore a definitive conclusion to this comparison. However, just looking at the two smartphones is enough to notice the two-year gap between them.
Whether in terms of design, performance, or photo quality, the iPhone 15 Pro doesn’t stand a chance against the 13 Pro. The difference should also be felt in everyday use. As much as the transition from iPhone 14 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro is less obvious, Apple’s new flagship brings significant changes, enough to push iPhone 13 Pro users to take the plunge.
Our full test of the iPhone 15 Pro will show whether I’m wrong or not, but this opinion is unlikely to change. If you can afford it, you can buy the iPhone 15 Pro without too much hesitation. Otherwise, as an alternative, the iPhone 14 Pro will let you enjoy the most important new features while saving a little.
Do you agree with me? Do you think upgrading from the iPhone 13 Pro to the iPhone 15 Pro is worth it? Which iPhone are you currently using?