What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max compared to another? Is one the right iPhone for me?

The iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max all have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated with current iOS support and other details and can be quite helpful to anyone buying one of these models on the used market.

Only you can decide if the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, or iPhone 13 Pro Max is the right iPhone for you, but straightforward pros and cons without spin from some company's marketing department certainly can help.

EveryiPhone.com also provides a complete iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max comparison for those who want an in-depth evaluation. For those who prefer a quick summary, the following can be ideal.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 13 mini/iPhone 13)

iPhone 13 mini/iPhone 13 Pros:

• Expensive at the time they were released, but not as expensive as the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
• Smallest iPhone 13 mini fits a surprisingly large display in a relatively compact case.
• Identical performance and 5G cellular capabilities as the more expensive iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
• Great battery life.
• Flat sides are easier to grip than some earlier iPhone models.
• Attractive color options.
• Waterproof to six meters for up to 30 minutes.
• Fast, Face ID authentication makes security easy.
• Convenient integrated inductive (Qi) charging and "MagSafe" magnet charging.
• Quality dual lens rear cameras.
• Dual SIM/eSIM standard (simultaneous support for one physical Nano SIM and one eSIM or dual eSIMs on most models).
• Support for the current version of the iOS, iOS 18.

iPhone 13 mini/iPhone 13 Cons:

• Lower quality display than the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
• Somewhat awkward "camera notch" at the top of the display.
• 4 GB of RAM, instead of 6 GB of RAM like the more expensive iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max may mean these devices are not supported for as long, or as completely, by future versions of the iOS.
• Rear camera is not as high quality as the camera in the more expensive iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models and support for the more professional ProRAW and ProRes formats is not provided.
• Battery life, although great, is not as long as the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models.
• Storage tops out at 512 GB, which could be a limitation for heavy video users.
• Running iOS 18, these models do not support the Messages via Satellite or Apple Intelligence (AI) features.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 13 Pro/iPhone 13 Pro Max)

iPhone 13 Pro & iPhone 13 Pro Max Pros:

• Beautiful, bright, high-quality, high-resolution Super Retina XDR with ProMotion OLED displays with an adaptive refresh rate.
• Fast performance and 6 GB of RAM.
• 5G LTE.
• The best battery life at the time of introduction.
• Flat sides are easier to grip than some earlier models and textured glass means easier handling than the cheaper iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13.
• Fast, Face ID authentication makes security easy.
• LiDAR capability opens new possibilities.
• Waterproof to six meters for up to 30 minutes.
• Convenient integrated inductive (Qi) charging and "MagSafe" magnet charging.
• Impressive, high-quality triple lens rear camera system including support for macro photography.
• Dual SIM/eSIM standard (simultaneous support for one physical Nano SIM and one eSIM or dual eSIMs on most models).
• The option of as much as 1 TB of storage.
• Supports the current version of the iOS, iOS 18.

iPhone 13 Pro & iPhone 13 Pro Max Cons:

• Very expensive at the time of introduction; the most expensive iPhone models.
• Large cases are difficult for many users to hold with one hand. The gigantic iPhone 13 Pro Max is practically a tablet.
• Somewhat awkward "camera notch" at the top of the display.
• Running iOS 18, these models do not support the Messages via Satellite or Apple Intelligence (AI) features.

So, should I buy an iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, or iPhone 13 Pro Max?

Compared just to one another, and ignoring earlier and subsequent models, EveryiPhone.com originally recommended that those who wanted the smallest brand new iPhone buy the iPhone 13 mini and those who wanted the largest buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Those were the easier two choices. Later iPhone models are larger, so those who want the smallest iPhone possible (among recent, usable models), still may prefer the iPhone 13 mini to more recent options.

For those who were trying to decide between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, this was a more difficult decision. The iPhone 13 is the same speed and offers the same connectivity as the iPhone 13 Pro, but originally cost a not insignificant US$200 less. Of course, both now are available at a discount on the used market.

Compared to the iPhone 13 at the time both were released, the extra US$200 for the iPhone 13 Pro got you (1) a stronger steel frame and textured glass for easier grip, (2) a substantially higher quality display, (3) a much more advanced rear camera with support for a more professional file format and video codec, (4) longer battery life, (5) more RAM, (6) and LiDAR support. At additional cost, you also had (7) the option of more storage. Now you also can add (8) improved feature support running iOS 16 or iOS 17 (although iOS 18 support is the same).

For most, it originally would come down to whether or not the (1) better display, (2) better camera, and (3) longer battery life were worth US$200 to you. That depends on your budget, of course. For some, any one of these three attributes was well worth US$200, but for many users, the iPhone 13 should be quite sufficient. For those on a budget, buying either the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro used are a good way to save some money compared to more recent options, too.

In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurbished iPhone models also with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.

Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.