If you put the iPhone 14 next to the iPhone 13, the models are almost indistinguishable from each other. Especially if the two models have the same color. The differences between the iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13 are therefore small and it is in the details. For many people, the iPhone 13 is therefore a much better choice, especially due to the sudden higher prices of the new iPhones. In this article you can read why the iPhone 13 is a better choice and when it is better to choose an iPhone 14.
- Conclusion
- iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13
- Differences
Why the iPhone 13 is a better choice than the iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 have so many similarities, while the iPhone 13 is a lot cheaper. That makes the iPhone 13 a better choice in our opinion, especially if you also score a very good deal. The price therefore plays a very important role in this comparison between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, but the similarities in options and features are also decisive in our opinion as to why you should go for the iPhone 13. Both devices have almost the same specifications on the most important points.
- Price
- Screen
- Design
- Camera setup
- Processor
- Other
#1 Price: the iPhone 13 is a lot cheaper, for almost the same features
The iPhone 13 currently has a suggested retail price of €909,- compared to €1,019,- for the iPhone 14. That is already a difference of more than €100,-. But the suggested retail prices give a distorted picture. After all, the iPhone 13 has been on the market for a year, which means that sellers can drop the price considerably. And that is reflected in the sales prices at stores other than Apple: you can already get an iPhone 13 for about €850,- depending on the color. There are far more deals for an iPhone 13 than for the iPhone 14, which is just now available. For current prices, check our page for a separate iPhone 13.
Also see 
Buy iPhone 13 single device:
compare prices and best dealsDo you want to buy the iPhone 13 as a separate device? Read here all about ordering from Apple and web stores and what the advantages are of a separate iPhone 13 compared to a longer contract. Combine with a cheap sim only and you're all set!
#2 The displays are identical
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 have the exact same display. In both cases, it is a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 and a pixel density of 460ppi. The display is HDR, it has True Tone on it, has a wide color reproduction, 800 nits brightness (1200 nits peak brightness at HDR). Both displays also have to do without ProMotion, always-on and the new Dynamic Island. In other words: if the screen is important to you, then you might as well get the iPhone 13.
#3 Design: same housing, same sizes
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 both have an aluminum housing. The back is also made of shiny glass on both devices. And with the flat sides, both devices hold identically. The devices are therefore the same in the hand. This is also due to the device dimensions: they are 146.7 mm high and 71.5 mm wide. The only difference is that the iPhone 14 is slightly thicker, but you don't notice that in practice.
The only difference in design is the color choice. The iPhone 14 is available in a light color blue, brighter red and light purple. The iPhone 13 comes in slightly darker blue, pink, darker red, and green. If none of these colors are for you, you'll end up with starlight and midnight: two colors that are identical on both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13.
#4 Camera setup: same number of lenses
In terms of camera, there are some differences between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 (more on that later), but in design both devices are the same. They both have a 12-megapixel wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lens. The telephoto lens is missing and the LiDAR scanner is also not present. As a result, both devices take very similar photos. You can only see the difference if you put the pictures one on one next to each other and even then the differences are very small. You don't take significantly better photos with an iPhone 14, and you don't get more options either. For example, the macro mode is missing on both models and the 48-megapixel lens that you do find on the iPhone 14 Pro is also missing on the iPhone 14 (and iPhone 13).
#5 Almost same processor
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 both have an A15 chip, the brain behind all the iPhone's functions. In both devices, the A15 chip has a 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. For everyday use, you will not notice any difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, because they are just as fast. However, there is a small difference between the two, namely in the field of GPU cores. The iPhone 14 has a 5-core GPU, instead of a 4-core GPU. That provides slightly better graphics performance, but you will only notice that with some games. If you never play games or use a lot of graphics apps (for example for photo and video editing), you won't notice that difference. This also applies to the extra 2GB RAM in the iPhone 14. On paper, the iPhone 14 scores slightly better in terms of processor, but that is absolutely no reason to choose the iPhone 14.
Besides these three main topics, there are many more similarities between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13:
- Support for 5G
- Water resistance (IP68)
- MagSafe and wireless charging
- Face ID
- Storage capacity (128GB, 256GB, 512GB)
- Support for dual SIM and dual eSIM
- Quality speakers
- iOS support and capabilities
< li>Lightning connection
We expect that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 will be supported with iOS updates for the same amount of time, partly because they contain almost the same chip. Since both models have nearly the same features, we also don't expect to see many exclusive iOS features that are only available for the iPhone 14 and not for the iPhone 13.
Differences: why perhaps the iPhone 14 is a better choice
However, we would also like to mention some minor differences. These differences may be a reason for you to choose the iPhone 14, although we do not think this outweighs the many similarities and the lower price of the iPhone 13.
- Camera with photo’ s with low light
- Selfie camera
- Battery life
- Crash detection
- Satellite communication
#1 Camera in iPhone 14 slightly better at low light
If you often take low-light photos, you'll find that the iPhone 14's camera performs slightly better. This is mainly due to larger sensors and a larger aperture, so that the lens allows more light to pass through. Apple says that with the iPhone 14 you get to 2.5 better photos in low light. These are numbers that you can't do much with, but we have noticed that the quality is not significantly better. Yes, you'll see a bit more detail in low-light shots (both with the main and ultra-wide-angle camera) and the night mode is also a bit faster, but the difference isn't all that spectacular. But if you often take photos in a dark setting and don't want to pay the top price of the iPhone 14 Pro (or iPhone 13 Pro), the iPhone 14 is a good middle ground. But as far as we're concerned, you save up for a Pro model, with which you really take significantly better photos.
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There is also an improvement for filming. The action mode in the iPhone ensures that very movable action movies still look smooth. The image stabilization is slightly better than with the iPhone 13, although we think it works just fine without the special action mode.
#2 Better selfie camera
Are you someone who takes selfies all day long? Then the slightly better front camera can convince you. But only if you're really addicted to taking selfies. With the better lens and the introduction of autofocus, the photos look slightly better and group selfies are better because everyone is in focus. Incidentally, the selfie camera also captures more light here, due to the larger aperture.
#3 Battery life slightly better, but not shocking
The battery in the iPhone 14 lasts a little longer, although we don't think the difference is very big. For audio playback, the iPhone 14 has a battery life of 80 hours and the iPhone 13 has 75 hours. You can play video with the iPhone 14 up to 20 hours, an hour longer than with the iPhone 13. And if you would like to stream video, that is up to 16 hours with the iPhone (versus up to 15 hours with the iPhone 13). So it's all just a little longer, but that won't make much difference to the general battery life over the entire day. You can therefore still get through with both devices, even if you occasionally play a game, watch videos, take photos, make video calls and check your social media.
#4 Crash detection only in iPhone 14
Thanks to new sensors, the iPhone 14 can detect a car accident and then automatically activate the emergency services. Crash detection detects rear, front, side and even car rollovers. It can save lives, but it's not a feature you use regularly. In fact, we hope you'll never need this. If you're never in the car, you certainly don't need this. And if you have a car model from 2018 or newer, eCall is probably built in as standard. This European function ensures that your car already calls the emergency services (and even indicates how many people were in the car). That's something the iPhone can't do.
See also 
Crash detection on Apple Watch and iPhone: this is how it works
Apple introduced a new feature in 2022: crash detection. This is a new safety feature on the iPhone and Apple Watch that you will hopefully never need.
#5 Satellite communication: it is of no use to you at the moment
The iPhone 14 can connect to satellites for emergency communications, such as when you're somewhere in a remote area with no cell phone coverage. But: it will soon only work in the US and Canada and will be free to use there for the first two years. It is therefore a function that is only available on the iPhone 14 models, but it is of no use to you in the Netherlands. It is not yet known if and when the function can be used in Europe, because Apple also has to collaborate with other companies.
Conclusion iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13
For 90% of people looking for a good future-proof iPhone, without all the latest gadgets of the Pro models, the iPhone 13 is the most sensible choice when you consider the price-quality ratio. Sure, the iPhone 14 is actually better, but the improvements are so small that the average user really doesn't notice. The price difference (more than €150,- with a good deal) is so great that you might as well get the iPhone 13. Only if you are afraid of car accidents, want to be prepared for future satellite communications, take a lot of selfies and photos with little, we think the iPhone 14 is the better choice. But even then, you may wonder if that extra money is worth it. The answer is probably no.
Go and buy the iPhone 13 if…
- …you are looking for a good modern iPhone for a not already too high a price.
- …you only take pictures now and then and always have good light.
- …screen, design and/or iOS support for you the top reasons for a new iPhone.
- …speed and performance relative to the price are important to you. The iPhone 13 performs just as well in everyday use.
See also 
Buy iPhone 13 single device: compare prices and get the best deals
Do you want to buy the iPhone 13 as a separate device? Read here all about ordering from Apple and web stores and what the advantages are of a separate iPhone 13 compared to a longer contract. Combine with a cheap sim only and you're all set!
Buy the iPhone 14 if…
- …you absolutely want the latest iPhone.
- … the higher price is not an issue for you. In that case, you might even be better off going for the iPhone 14 Pro.
- …you often take low-light photos (even if the quality difference is small).
- &hellip ;you take a lot of selfies.
See also 
Buy iPhone 14 single device: compare prices and get the best deals
Do you want the iPhone 14 as a separate device to buy? Read here all about ordering from Apple and web stores and what the advantages are of a separate iPhone 14 compared to a longer contract. Combine with a cheap sim only and you're all set!