TechPhonesiPhonesApple iPhone 13 Pro review: the best model in the range?T3’s long-term iPhone 13 Pro test reveals why this model is the sweet spot in Apple’s iPhone lineupWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe iPhone 13 Pro is in many ways the Goldilocks of the iPhone range – just right. It has the very best of iPhone features in a body that is a bit more pocket-sized and hand-friendly without sacrificing any major features.Reasons to buy+Stunning screen quality+Solid and sturdy build+Excellent camera arrayReasons to avoid-Shorter battery life than Pro Max (but the latter is massive)-Notch (iPhone 14 Pro goes ‘Dynamic Island’)-Comes at a premium priceWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechPhonesiPhonesApple iPhone 13 Pro review: the best model in the range?T3’s long-term iPhone 13 Pro test reveals why this model is the sweet spot in Apple’s iPhone lineupWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe iPhone 13 Pro is in many ways the Goldilocks of the iPhone range – just right. It has the very best of iPhone features in a body that is a bit more pocket-sized and hand-friendly without sacrificing any major features.Reasons to buy+Stunning screen quality+Solid and sturdy build+Excellent camera arrayReasons to avoid-Shorter battery life than Pro Max (but the latter is massive)-Notch (iPhone 14 Pro goes ‘Dynamic Island’)-Comes at a premium priceWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
T3’s long-term iPhone 13 Pro test reveals why this model is the sweet spot in Apple’s iPhone lineup
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe iPhone 13 Pro is in many ways the Goldilocks of the iPhone range – just right. It has the very best of iPhone features in a body that is a bit more pocket-sized and hand-friendly without sacrificing any major features.Reasons to buy+Stunning screen quality+Solid and sturdy build+Excellent camera arrayReasons to avoid-Shorter battery life than Pro Max (but the latter is massive)-Notch (iPhone 14 Pro goes ‘Dynamic Island’)-Comes at a premium price
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
T3 VerdictThe iPhone 13 Pro is in many ways the Goldilocks of the iPhone range – just right. It has the very best of iPhone features in a body that is a bit more pocket-sized and hand-friendly without sacrificing any major features.Reasons to buy+Stunning screen quality+Solid and sturdy build+Excellent camera arrayReasons to avoid-Shorter battery life than Pro Max (but the latter is massive)-Notch (iPhone 14 Pro goes ‘Dynamic Island’)-Comes at a premium price
T3 VerdictThe iPhone 13 Pro is in many ways the Goldilocks of the iPhone range – just right. It has the very best of iPhone features in a body that is a bit more pocket-sized and hand-friendly without sacrificing any major features.
T3 Verdict
The iPhone 13 Pro is in many ways the Goldilocks of the iPhone range – just right. It has the very best of iPhone features in a body that is a bit more pocket-sized and hand-friendly without sacrificing any major features.
Reasons to buy+Stunning screen quality+Solid and sturdy build+Excellent camera arrayReasons to avoid-Shorter battery life than Pro Max (but the latter is massive)-Notch (iPhone 14 Pro goes ‘Dynamic Island’)-Comes at a premium price
Reasons to buy+Stunning screen quality+Solid and sturdy build+Excellent camera array
Stunning screen quality
Solid and sturdy build
Excellent camera array
Reasons to avoid-Shorter battery life than Pro Max (but the latter is massive)-Notch (iPhone 14 Pro goes ‘Dynamic Island’)-Comes at a premium price
Shorter battery life than Pro Max (but the latter is massive)
Notch (iPhone 14 Pro goes ‘Dynamic Island’)
Comes at a premium price
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro deals
$510.02View$533.25View$1,399View
$510.02View
$510.02View
$510.02View
$510.02
$510.02
$533.25View
$533.25View
$533.25View
$533.25
$533.25
$1,399View
$1,399View
$1,399View
$1,399
$1,399
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TheAppleiPhone13 Pro is a flagship phone, but as theiPhone 13 Pro Maxsits above it, so it’s not quite top of the range. Aside from the screen size and battery though, the two phones are near identical. So there are certainly reasons why you would pick the Pro’s smaller stature over the Pro Max.
After the iPhone 13 launch back in September 2021, I was fortunate enough to use all four iPhone models that were released. After the iPhone 12 launch, it was the iPhone 12 Pro Max that came out as the true champion, thanks to its longer telephoto lens and the addition of sensor-shift stabilization on the main camera. As the cameras on the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are identical, it was the 13 Pro for me that offered the best proposition in the range.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro review: price and availability
Like the rest of the iPhone 13 range, the 13 Pro was launched back in September 2021, going on sale on September 24, 2021.
Prices for the iPhone 13 Pro start from £949 / $999 / AU$1699. This is a full £100/$100 less than the 13 Pro Max and remains the same differential no matter the capacity. This means that the 1TB iPhone 13 Pro costs £1449 / $1499 / AU$2569.
A 10% price difference might not seem a lot at this price, especially if you’re looking to pay for your phone through your network but sometimes every little helps.
Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro deals$510.02View$533.25View$1,399ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro deals$510.02View$533.25View$1,399ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro deals
$510.02View$533.25View$1,399View
$510.02View
$510.02View
$510.02View
$510.02
$510.02
$533.25View
$533.25View
$533.25View
$533.25
$533.25
$1,399View
$1,399View
$1,399View
$1,399
$1,399
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro review: features and design
The iPhone 13 Pro Max brought with it some big updates to the camera array and this time they were all shared with the iPhone 13 Pro. The main camera has a wider f/1.5 aperture and a larger sensor, the ultra-wide-angle features a macro mode, taking focusing down to just 2cm and the telephoto lens is considerably longer.
On the iPhone 12 Pro, the telephoto offered just a 2x magnification (a 58mm equivalent) while the Pro Max had a 2.5x (65mm equivalent). Both the 13 Pro and Pro Max have a 3x magnification, or 77mm equivalent lens, which is even better for those distant shots and creative portraits.
The other big change was the display. The new Super Retina XDR display uses what Apple calls ProMotion technology to provide a variable refresh rate. It means it can ramp up to 120Hz for fast action in video games but also wind down to just 10Hz to save power when dealing with static pages.
Of course, the screen on the iPhone 13 Pro is smaller than that of the 13 Pro Max – just a 6.1-inch OLED compared with a 6.7-inch. However, the 2532x1170 resolution means that it actually has more pixels per inch (460ppi compared to 458ppi). It’s not something you’d notice on the screen to look at but it shows it’s definitely not a step-down.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro review: performance
If you’ve been using one of the Pro Max models or any 6.7-inch phone, the 13 Pro does feel significantly smaller. The time I noticed it most was when watching movies, as suddenly I had to bring the phone that much closer and I was much more aware I was watching on a phone rather than something almost tablet-sized. For regular use though, the 6.1-inch display still feels spacious. Compared to even the iPhone 11 Pro, you’re getting more real estate here than that 5.8-inch display.
Of course, the quality of the display plays a huge part too. From the resolution to the color depth, everything looks stunning on this screen, including fast action games, thanks to the 120Hz output of the ProMotion.
The beauty, of course, is that the iPhone 13 Pro is much more pocket friendly in size than the Pro Max. While certainly not small it doesn’t have the same demands on a trouser or jacket pocket. And when it comes to using the phone, most of the screen is reachable with one hand. Granted it’s not as easy as using the iPhone 13 mini with one hand, but you’re not reliant on two hands in the way you are with the 13 Pro Max.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro review: cameras
There’s plenty of debate out there on which smartphone offers the absolute best camera. There are certainly models with larger sensors and fancier optics than the iPhone 13 Pro, there are also processors that handle the colors differently which might be more pleasing to some.
The camera isn’t perfect. The size of the sensor is still definitely a limitation and there is clearly lots of processing required to get those night shots looking noise-free. However, it produces great color, decent dynamic range and plenty of detail.
Below are a few examples taken with the iPhone 13 Pro.
Image1of4(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of4(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of4
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
iPhone 13 Pro review: verdict
The reason Apple offers four versions of its iPhone 13 is to appeal to a wider audience. For some, the standard iPhone 13 will be more than enough, while for those that want only the very best (and biggest), there’s the iPhone 13 Pro Max. I even believe that theiPhone 13 miniis a valid choice for lots of users.
As the iPhone 13 range goes, the Pro is my favourite of the bunch. It’s the announcement of the iPhone 14, however, that’s very likely to lure me up a notch (pun intended) for the next-in-line flagship though.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Also consider
If you’re considering the iPhone 13 Pro, the other two phones you’re probably looking at are theiPhone 13 Pro Maxand theiPhone 13. As I’ve mentioned throughout this review, the Pro Max will give you the benefit of a bigger screen and a longer battery life, but not much else. The standard iPhone 13 sacrifices that ProMotion 120Hz display and the telephoto camera lens. It’s also lighter and a few hundred cheaper, though, so if you can live without these features it’s a decent saving.
If you’re looking for grander, newer, better then the iPhone 14 Pro has also been revealed. That ups the camera stakes even higher, changes the notch design for a ‘Dynamic Island’ that looks really impressive with the way its integrated into the software, and new colour options too. Certainly tempting, but it is a pricier proposition, as you can see from the embedded widget below (which also includes the older iPhone 12 Pro if you’re all about lowest price first).
Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Apple iPhone 12 Pro dealsPlansUnlockedApple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthVisit WebsiteatVerizonSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Apple iPhone 12 Pro dealsPlansUnlockedApple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthVisit WebsiteatVerizonSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Apple iPhone 12 Pro dealsPlansUnlockedApple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthVisit WebsiteatVerizonSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Apple iPhone 12 Pro deals
PlansUnlocked
PlansUnlocked
Plans
Plans
Unlocked
Unlocked
Apple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthVisit WebsiteatVerizonSee all prices
Apple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthVisit WebsiteatVerizonSee all prices
Apple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthVisit WebsiteatVerizonSee all prices
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
36 months
36 months
UnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
Unlimiteddata
$999.99upfront$90/mthVisit WebsiteatVerizon
$999.99upfront$90/mth
$999.99upfront
$90/mth
$90/mth
/mth
Visit WebsiteatVerizon
atVerizon
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Apple iPhone 13 Pro: Price Comparison
$510.02View$533.25View$542View$549View$1,399View
$510.02View
$510.02View
$510.02View
$510.02
$510.02
$533.25View
$533.25View
$533.25View
$533.25
$533.25
$542View
$542View
$542View
$542
$542
$549View
$549View
$549View
$549
$549
$1,399View
$1,399View
$1,399View
$1,399
$1,399
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSapple
TOPICS
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
Is this the most insufferable Netflix trailer of all time?Meghan Markle has a show coming
Meghan Markle has a show coming
Samsung Galaxy Ring just got bigger, and so did its sleep-tracking featuresThe brand expands its compact wearable with larger sizes and enhances the Samsung Health app with smarter sleep and wellness tools
The brand expands its compact wearable with larger sizes and enhances the Samsung Health app with smarter sleep and wellness tools
