What can the iPhone 13 (mini) do? The technical features at a glance

What inspires us and what is missing

👍 Strong OLED display: The 6.1" Super Retina XDR display offers rich colors and high brightness.

👍 Long software support: iOS updates are likely to be available for several more years.

👍 Solid battery life: Compared to the iPhone 12, the battery lasts noticeably longer.

👎 Slow wireless charging: With MagSafe, only 15W is possible, while other manufacturers offer faster wireless charging.

👎 No USB-C: Still the Lightning connector instead of universal USB-C.

👎 No telephoto lens: For optical zoom you have to go for the Pro models.

Is the iPhone 13 future-proof?

Thanks to regular iOS updates, the iPhone 13 will remain up to date for several years to come and is expected to receive new iOS versions until 2027. In addition, it will continue to receive security updates to close important vulnerabilities. With 5G, MagSafe and a robust design, it is well equipped and can withstand everyday use. Water resistance and the durable Ceramic Shield ensure longevity.

➡ Even in 2025, the iPhone 13 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable smartphone without the latest extras.

Powercheck: What can the A15 Bionic chip do?

The A15 Bionic chip ensures fast and smooth work, whether you're surfing, taking photos or using complex apps. It optimizes images, improves AI-supported functions and keeps performance stable even during intensive use. At the same time, it works energy efficiently so that the battery lasts longer.

➡ The A15 Bionic chip makes the iPhone 13 powerful, efficient and future-proof. If you are looking for a fast smartphone with a long battery life, this is the right choice. insider tip: The iPhone 14 has the same A15 Bionic chip, which means the processing power is almost identical – but the iPhone 13 offers almost the same power at a cheaper price.

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 camera?

The iPhone 13 impresses with a strong camera, especially in daylight. But what are the strengths and weaknesses? A test by Tyler Stalman shows:

📸 daylight photos: Clear colors, good dynamic range, hardly any reason for criticism.

🔍 zoom: No optical zoom, digital zoom delivers decent but not outstanding results.

👤 portraits: Good bokeh effect, but occasional edge detection errors.

🤳 selfies: Sharp and detailed, but without autofocus less flexible for close-ups.

🎥 video stabilization: Sensor shift ensures smooth recordings, ideal for handheld videos.

🌙 night shots: Photos remain bright and detailed, but there is more image noise in extremely dark scenes.

➡ The iPhone 13's camera delivers strong results for everyday use and social media. If you zoom frequently or shoot a lot of nighttime videos, you might want to go for the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 14.

You can see the result for yourself here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ttex40zt60

How long does the battery last?

The iPhone 13's battery life is solid, lasting just under 8 hours of intensive use. This means it can easily get through a typical workday without recharging. It lasts about 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 13 mini and almost 2 hours longer than the iPhone 12.

The iPhone 13 Pro is slightly longer at around 8 hours and 15 minutes, but benefits from an adaptive 120 Hz display that can save battery depending on usage.

➡ If you are looking for an iPhone with good battery life, the iPhone 13 is a good choice. For even more endurance, however, it is worth taking a look at the Pro models or newer generations.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQQCoJiZj8w&t=525s

📱91Tech: “The iPhone 13 holds up well – with minor limitations”

Tech YouTuber Josh from 91Tech has tested the iPhone 13 again in 2025 and comes to a clear conclusion: A strong smartphone with good performance - but no longer the latest.

What convinces:

✔ OLED display with vivid colors: A high-quality screen even in 2025

✔ A15 Bionic stays fast: Smooth performance and long iOS support

✔ Good camera for photos & videos: Particularly convincing in daylight

Where it is weak:

❌ No optical zoom: Digital magnification not as strong as on newer iPhones

❌ Night videos with more noise: Low-light recordings not at top level

❌ Battery ages over time: A battery replacement may be necessary

➡ Conclusion from 91Tech: The iPhone 13 is still a good choice in 2025, especially used or refurbished. However, if you want more camera features or longer battery life, you should consider a newer model.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x_704euTsI&t=3s

Our conclusion

The iPhone 13 remains a good choice in 2025 for anyone looking for a fast iPhone with an OLED display, solid camera and long-term iOS support. It offers strong performance and modern features such as 5G and MagSafe. Everyday use also runs smoothly, without major restrictions. However, if you want more zoom, better low-light shots or a 120 Hz display, the iPhone 13 Pro or newer models like the iPhone 14 Pro better advised.