Review how to choose the latest iPhone What is the difference between the iPhone 13 series?

The latest iPhone 13 series that appeared in the fall of 2021. From left to right, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max with triple-lens cameras, and the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini with double-lens cameras.

Videos and photos If you want to fully enjoy shooting and the latest games, we definitely recommend the two models of the iPhone 13 Pro series equipped with a triple-lens camera. In addition to enjoying shooting that cannot be done with the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 mini, the display supports ProMotion technology with a maximum drive of 120Hz, so there is a difference in display performance and response in fast-moving FPS games.

The iPhone 13 Pro series includes the iPhone 13 Pro with a 6.1-inch panel and the iPhone 13 Pro Max with a 6.7-inch panel. These two models have the same camera performance, so to put it bluntly, you can choose the one you like based on the "display size" (body size).

I sometimes use my iPhone camera to take photos for articles, so I chose the Apple ProRAW mode, which allows meticulous processing of brightness and color, and the Pro series, which allows me to take unprecedented macro photos. . This is a feature that the iPhone 13/13 mini does not have. Photos in Apple ProRAW mode have a large data size, so I splurged a little and increased the storage capacity to 256GB. I've used it for half a year since I bought it, but the photo app has already taken up 65GB of storage, so I felt that I should consider purchasing 512GB when I buy a new iPhone next time.

Even with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, you can take beautiful photos and videos of people and landscapes in a dark room. However, if you want to take a large picture of a distant subject or enjoy portrait photography that makes use of background blur, we recommend the iPhone 13 Pro series equipped with a 77mm telephoto camera.

The immersive feeling of the “iPhone 13 Pro Max” is overwhelming, but there are weaknesses

The iPhone 13 Pro series is slightly heavier than the iPhone 12 Pro series released in 2020. I chose the iPhone 12 Max with a 6.7-inch panel for the iPhone 12 series, but the weight of the iPhone 13 Pro Max has increased by 12g. As expected, it seemed difficult to hold it with one hand for a long time, so I decided to downsize to the iPhone 13 Pro.

Looking back on it now, I thought that there is an excitement that can only be experienced with the large Super Retina XDR display, which is the real pleasure of the 6.7-inch "Max." The immersive feeling of HDR high-definition content distributed on Apple TV+ is a bit different with the 6.7-inch "Max".

The Apple Arcade game “Fantasia” has cleared the “first part” on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which will start distribution in April 2021, but when you play the “second part” on the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro, it will be slightly different. I feel inadequate. Especially in RPG games, I miss the large 6.7-inch screen, which makes it easy to see detailed graphics and text. Whether you're watching videos while working in the kitchen or exercising with exercise videos on YouTube, the Max's big screen feels great. If the main body becomes lighter while maintaining the large panel size, I would like to consider returning to "Max" again in the iPhone 14 series.

Unmarked iPhone 13 if you choose it for its good balance

For those who think that taking photos and videos is not as high as professional quality, the iPhone 13 with a 6.1-inch panel has a fulfilling photo life will be enjoyed. It has camera performance approaching the iPhone 13 Pro series, such as high-performance sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and special shooting functions such as "Cinematic Mode" are almost on par.

In addition, all four models of the iPhone 13 series are equipped with the latest A15 Bionic chip. The iPhone 13 Pro series has one more GPU core, but I don't feel the difference in daily use. In addition, the display of the iPhone 13 Pro series supports ProMotion technology driven by 120Hz, and the brightness performance is slightly better, but there is no big difference in usability.

If 128GB of internal storage is enough, you can't miss the advantage of being able to buy a "5G compatible iPhone" for less than 100,000 yen. Also, it is only with the iPhone 13/13 mini that you can choose warm colors such as pink and red that will brighten your mood. Like 2021, there may be another “new color surprise” for the iPhone 13/13 mini in the spring.

"13 mini" that overcomes 12 issues is surprisingly good

There are many people around me who chose the iPhone 13 mini with a 5.4-inch panel. The reason he chose it was that it was attractive because of its size and light weight, which easily fits in your pocket. I think that the impactful price that you can buy a 5G compatible iPhone at a price starting from 86,800 yen is also a big attraction.

Since the iPhone 13 mini can be operated lightly even when held with one hand, you can take photos and videos as if you were using a compact digital camera, or use it as a digital wallet that supports Apple Pay. However, you may find it difficult to watch videos, read websites, and read emails/messages on a 5.4-inch screen. I got used to 6-inch smartphones, so I couldn't choose a 5.4-inch mini. I think that it is better to actually check the difference in appearance depending on the panel size at the store.

You can't miss the fact that the iPhone 13 series has improved power consumption efficiency when driving. The iPhone 12 mini's "battery life" has been an issue, but the iPhone 13 mini has improved by about 1.5 hours while maintaining the same size.

I think the iPhone 13 mini is a well-made device as a portable audio player that can be operated lightly like an iPod.

If you buy a new iPhone 13 mini, I would like you to experience Apple's music distribution service "Apple Music". You can quickly search for and play the music you want to listen to while holding the iPhone in one hand, so you should be able to feel the charm of the small body. Apple Music has a one-month free trial period, but if you purchase a new AirPods series, HomePod, or Beats headphones/earphones with your iPhone, the free trial period will be extended to six months.

iPhone SE waiting for 5G support?

In Japan, the communication area connected by 5G is expanding. If you want to buy a new iPhone from now on, you'll want to choose a 5G compatible model, but on the other hand, it's true that there are persistent voices saying that you want an "iPhone SE" with a home button that can use Touch ID with fingerprint authentication.

It is rumored that the iPhone SE, which appeared in the spring of 2020, will receive an update for the first time in two years this year. There is a high possibility that the next iPhone SE will be 5G compatible, so it may be a good idea to wait until spring to see the trends of the new iPhone SE, including whether it has a home button.

If you want to get a compact size iPhone that supports 5G right now and at a low price, you can also choose the iPhone 12/12 mini, which remains in the current lineup. At the Apple Store, you can purchase a SIM-free iPhone 12 mini at a price starting at 69,800 yen. If you no longer need your current iPhone after purchasing a new iPhone, you can save even more money by trading in your iPhone through Apple Trade In.

At the end of January, when I wrote this article, major electronics retailers mainly sold the iPhone 12 mini carrier version model (64GB) at a very reasonable price, or provided it in the form of a lease that will be returned after a certain period of use. I was running a campaign to When I visited the same store in early February, the same campaign was still going on. There are cases where the price changes depending on the purchaser's age and contract type, and there are cases where the type of iPhone differs depending on the stock situation, but it is also a good idea to visit a nearby electronics retail store once. think.

Author: Atsushi Yamamoto

Journalist and writer. After working as a web editor and reporter for an audiovisual magazine, he became a freelancer. Since he has been covering the electronics show "IFA" held in Berlin, Germany every year, he is familiar with the latest developments related to smart home appliances and IoT in Europe. He is well versed in the audiovisual field, and covers a wide range from high resolution to music distribution, 4K and VOD. Utilizing his fluency in English and French, he covers events both in Japan and overseas, and conducts many interviews with developers.