iPhone 13 Pro (Max) - Für wen lohnt sich der Kauf noch?

iPhone 13 Pro (max) - for whom the purchase is still worth ?

The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max were released in 2021 as one of the best smartphone models of their time. With the A15 Bionic chip, 120 Hz ProMotion display and the improved camera, these iPhones convinced many users. But how well will they perform in 2025 compared to newer models? In this buying guide, we take a look at the most important features, the current performance and whether it is still worth buying.

What can the iPhone 13 Pro (Max) do? The most important features at a glance

feature

details

display

iPhone 13 Pro: 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR display

iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR display

Performance

A15 Bionic chip with 6 GB RAM

camera

12 MP triple camera

water and dust protection

IP68 (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes)

connectivity

5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC with reading mode, dual SIM (nano + eSIM)

Other Features

Face ID, MagSafe, Apple Pay integration, LiDAR scanner

What inspires us and what is missing

👍 High-quality 120 Hz OLED display: Smooth display thanks to ProMotion technology

👍 Powerful camera with LiDAR scanner: Good low-light performance and ProRes video

👍 Long software support: Expected to last until 2028

👎 No Always-On Display: Only from the iPhone 14 Pro

👎 No USB-C: Still the old Lightning connector

👎 Higher weight: Due to the stainless steel frame and larger battery, the iPhone 13 Pro weighs 203 g and the iPhone 13 Pro Max weighs 238 g.

Powercheck: What can the A15 Bionic chip do?

The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 Pro is still powerful in 2024. With a 5-core GPU, the iPhone offers a little more graphics power than the standard version in the iPhone 13 - perfect for mobile games, smooth multitasking and graphics-intensive apps. ProRAW photos and 4K videos with Dolby Vision are processed without stuttering, and AI-supported features such as Live Text or Cinema Mode also run smoothly.

➡ The iPhone 13 Pro is still a good choice for anyone who wants a fast and reliable device. Our tip: The performance is only slightly lower compared to the iPhone 14 Pro - if you want to save money, go for the 13 Pro.


Model

Geekbench Single-Core

Geekbench Multi-Core

iPhone 13 Pro

2337

5722

iPhone 14 Pro

2602

6686

iPhone 16 Pro

3443

8542

These values ​​come from Geekbench 6, a popular benchmark tool for measuring processor performance. The scores provide an initial orientation to the raw performance of a chip, but do not always reflect everyday performance - factors such as software optimization, battery status and background processes influence the result.

📌 You can learn more about the significance of Geekbench scores in our blog article.

How good is the iPhone 13 Pro camera?

The iPhone 13 Pro focuses on versatility with its triple camera. But is the upgrade worth it compared to the standard model? A test by Tech Daily shows:

📸 daylight photos: Thanks to the identical main camera, the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro deliver almost identical results – with strong colors, good dynamic range and high sharpness.

🔍 zoom: The 13 Pro's 3x optical zoom ensures clear details, while the standard model only offers digital zoom. The quality remains good up to 5x, but at 15x maximum zoom the sharpness visibly decreases.

👤 portraits: The telephoto sensor allows for more detailed portraits with more natural bokeh than the iPhone 13. Those who often take portraits will benefit from the additional lens.

🔬 macro photos: The 13 Pro can get extremely close to objects and capture more detail – a feature that the iPhone 13 lacks.

🤳 selfies: No differences to the standard model

🎥 video quality: Both models film in 4K with stable, detailed results. The 13 Pro also offers ProRes video, which is interesting for professionals.

🌙 night shots: The main camera of the 13 Pro has a slightly larger aperture, which sometimes produces slightly brighter results in dark scenes. However, the difference remains small.

➡ If you only take simple photos, you'll get almost identical quality with the iPhone 13. However, if you often zoom, take portraits, or use macro photography, you'll be much more flexible with the iPhone 13 Pro.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6_iSUgP8qo

How good is the battery life of the iPhone 13 Pro (Max)?

The iPhone 13 Pro impresses with a battery life of around 9 hours with intensive use – tested with a battery health of 91%.This means it's easily enough for a long day, even with frequent scrolling, streaming and photography. In comparison, it lasts a good hour longer than the iPhone 12 Pro. The iPhone 13 Pro Max goes one better in terms of battery life: with a battery health of 89%, it lasts an impressive 11 hours and 38 minutes - almost 2.5 hours longer than the Pro model. The large battery and the adaptive 120 Hz display help to save energy here.

➡ The iPhone 13 Pro offers a satisfactory battery life that is more than enough for a day of normal use.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBYGeSovCLo

📱Jon Adams: "The iPhone 13 Pro remains strong – but is it still contemporary?"

Tech YouTuber Jon Adams has taken another look at the iPhone 13 Pro in 2024. His conclusion: A powerful smartphone with good features - but not without weaknesses.

What convinces:

✔ High-quality OLED display: Sharp, bright and with 120 Hz ProMotion for smooth scrolling

✔ A15 Bionic still fast: Apps, social media and everyday tasks run smoothly

✔ Versatile camera: Macro mode, 3x optical zoom and ProRAW offer creative possibilities

✔ Physical SIM card: Practical for frequent travelers, as newer iPhones only use eSIM

Where it is weak:

❌ No Dynamic Island: The large notch looks old-fashioned compared to new models

❌ Battery life slightly behind newer iPhones: Enough for a day, but not as strong as an iPhone 15 Pro

❌ Still with Lightning connector: No USB-C, which makes charging less future-proof

➡ The iPhone 13 Pro is still a solid choice in 2024 - especially for anyone looking for a premium iPhone at a fair price. However, those who value more modern features such as Dynamic Island, USB-C or an even better camera should take a look at the newer models.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLZwI7l4BXk

Our conclusion: Is the iPhone 13 Pro still worth it?

The iPhone 13 Pro still offers strong performance in 2024, a high-quality 120 Hz display and a versatile camera with macro mode and optical zoom. Thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, apps run smoothly and with iOS updates the device will remain up to date for several years to come.

However, there are some disadvantages: the Lightning connector is no longer up to date, the battery life is solid but not at the level of newer models, and features such as the Dynamic Island are missing.

For whom is it worthwhile?

✔ If you are looking for an inexpensive premium iPhone that can be used for several years

✔ If you value camera features such as telephoto lenses and macro photos

✔ If you don’t mind Lightning and the notch design

➡ If you want the latest and greatest iPhone, you should iPhone 15 Pro or to iPhone 16 Pro grab.But if you're looking for a powerful smartphone with good features at a fair price, you can't go wrong with the iPhone 13 Pro - especially the refurbished version.