iPhone 13 came out in 2021. Every iPhone Apple sells today gives you USB-C, Apple Intelligence and a newer chip, and all but iPhone 17e and iPhone 16 add a 120 Hz screen. For most owners the natural step is iPhone 17 ($899): up to 30 hours of video against 19, the A19 against the A15 Bionic, 8 GB of RAM against 4, and 48MP cameras against 12MP.
By chaogetalks · Updated · Figures from Apple's technical specifications
Worked out from Apple's technical specifications for each model; battery is Apple's video playback rating when new (an old battery will do less). RAM from Apple's Xcode data as reported by MacRumors, or Wikipedia's list of iPhone models for older phones. US prices from apple.com, checked October 2026.
Our pick
Which upgrade makes sense?
Most people: iPhone 17 ($899). 5 big gains over iPhone 13, and it is about the same size.
Lowest price: iPhone 17e ($699), if you can live with one rear camera instead of two.
Same feel in the hand: iPhone 17e, the current model closest to iPhone 13's 146.7 × 71.5 mm.
Most gains: iPhone 18 Pro Max ($1,299), with 6 big improvements.
What reviewers say
On upgrading from older iPhones
Their conclusions, in our words. Written for the iPhone 17 launch in 2025; follow the links for the full pieces.
Tom's Guide · Sep 2025
Groups every iPhone 13 model together and says the gap to the iPhone 17 generation is so wide you should not hesitate: 120 Hz is now standard, the main camera moves past 12MP, and base storage doubles.
Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 13 to iPhone 17?
For most people, yes. Display: 120 Hz ProMotion instead of 60 Hz: scrolling and animation look twice as smooth. Battery: up to 30 hours of video against 19 (58% more, on Apple's own test). Chip: A19 against A15 Bionic, 4 generations newer, so it should get iOS updates for years longer. Apple Intelligence: runs Apple Intelligence, which iPhone 13 cannot. iPhone 17 starts at $899 in the US.
Which new iPhone is the same size as iPhone 13?
iPhone 17e is the closest: 146.7 × 71.5 mm against 146.7 × 71.5 mm for iPhone 13, and 169 g against 174 g.
What is the cheapest upgrade from iPhone 13?
iPhone 17e at $699. Over iPhone 13 it adds battery, chip, Apple Intelligence, but note: one rear camera instead of two, so no separate ultra wide lens.
Will my iPhone 13 accessories work with a new iPhone?
Lightning cables and accessories won't plug in: every iPhone Apple sells today uses USB-C. Cases won't fit either, because the size and camera layout differ.
Can iPhone 13 run Apple Intelligence?
No. iPhone 13 has 4 GB of RAM and Apple supports Apple Intelligence only on iPhone 15 Pro and later. Every iPhone Apple sells today runs it.