The iPhone 13: a workhorse still worth betting on

Smartphones spent a decade in a sprint — each year a bigger camera, a faster chip, a new shape. Then the race slowed. The iPhone 13 arrived right at that turning point, and it shows in how well the phone still holds up.

The A15 Bionic chip handles everything from scrolling to video calls without hesitation. The OLED display is sharp and colour-accurate. MagSafe, 5G, and sensor-shift camera stabilisation all come as standard. Refurbished from a quality source, you can pick one up for around £210 to £250.

This guide covers who the iPhone 13 is genuinely right for, what to know before buying, and why refurbished is the most sensible way to own one.

The iPhone 13 is not the same phone in every pair of hands. Here is an honest fit guide — who it genuinely suits, and who should look elsewhere.

Note on 60 Hz: Anyone moving from a ProMotion device will notice the difference immediately and consistently. For users with no prior ProMotion experience, it is largely a non-factor.

The A15 Bionic is the same processor Apple used in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16e. On Geekbench 6, it scores around 2,136 single-core, 5,497 multi-core and 18,480 on the Metal GPU test. Scrolling, streaming, photography and everyday apps run without friction. The limits appear when you push it: 4 GB RAM brings app reloads under heavy multitasking, and sustained gaming causes thermal throttling. The iPhone 13 does not support Apple Intelligence, which requires the A17 Pro chip and more RAM. For everyday use, though, performance is solid and consistent.

Alongside that performance, you get a 6.1-inch OLED HDR10 display, 3,227 mAh battery, dual 12 MP wide and ultrawide cameras with sensor-shift OIS, 4K 60 fps video, a 12 MP front camera, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 5G, NFC, UWB and a Lightning connector, all at 174 g. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max step up to 6 GB RAM and 120 Hz ProMotion, the clearest distinction from the base models. Lightning is also less convenient as USB-C becomes the universal standard.

Check battery health before you buy refurbished. Aim for 85% or above: the regular iPhone 13 should still last a full day of moderate use at that level, while the mini's shorter endurance becomes noticeably more restrictive below 85%. Replacing the battery on a used iPhone 13 can cost close to half its secondhand value. The iPhone 13 Mini can also cost as much as the regular model or more secondhand. Demand is strong because it is likely the last compact flagship Apple will make, so buying refurbished gives you better access to fairly priced stock.

Unlike a private secondhand listing, a refurbished phone is professionally checked, cleaned and reset by a verified seller. On refurbed, key functions are tested and worn components replaced as needed. You get a minimum 12-month warranty and 30 days to return the phone if it is not right for you. The iPhone 13 is a sound refurbished buy for everyday use; choose the mini if its compact size is worth the battery and price compromises.

If you mostly shoot casual clips, the iPhone 13 remains a sound choice. Both its front and rear cameras can record 4K at 60 fps, and sensor-shift stabilisation helps steady handheld footage. Cinematic mode records at 1080p rather than 4K, so your choice of mode changes the resolution.

Photos after dark are a different test. Low-light shots can look noticeably grainier than those from current iPhones. If you regularly shoot in those conditions, that is a good reason to look elsewhere.

Is the iPhone 13 still supported in 2026?

Yes. The iPhone 13 runs iOS 26 and is expected to receive iOS 27 and likely iOS 28. One thing worth knowing: the phone runs noticeably warm for the first 24 to 48 hours after a major iOS update while the system reindexes. This is normal and not a hardware fault.

Does the iPhone 13 support Apple Intelligence?

No. Apple Intelligence requires the A17 Pro chip and more RAM than the iPhone 13 has. No software update can change this. It is not a dealbreaker today, but will matter more as Apple deepens the integration across iOS over the next few years.

Should I buy the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14?

Buy the iPhone 13 unless you can get the iPhone 14 at the same or a similar price. The 14 is a modest upgrade and may earn one extra year of major iOS support due to its marginally better chip and additional RAM. The performance difference in daily use is small.

Is the iPhone 13 Mini worth buying?

If compact size is your priority above all else, yes. It is likely the last compact flagship Apple will ever make, and demand for it secondhand is real. The main compromise is battery: the 2,438 mAh cell requires careful use, or a MagSafe battery pack, to reliably last a full day.

What is the difference between refurbished and second-hand?

Second-hand means bought from someone who previously used it. Refurbished means professionally checked, cleaned, tested, and reset by a verified seller, then backed by a warranty. On refurbed, every device comes with a minimum 12-month warranty and a 30-day return window.