Is 13 Unlucky?  New iPhone 13 Released by Apple

In early September, Apple released its newest line of phones, tablets, and smartwatches in the form of the iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, and 13 mini, the iPad mini, and the Series 7 Apple Watch, respectively. While the iPad and watch are certainly packed full of new features, Apple’s flagship device, the iPhone, was given an updated mobile processor, camera and gaming performance.

 The first upgrade is the third camera on the back. While Apple has been offering a triple camera since 2019, the new cameras, with focal lengths of 13, 26, and 78mm, offer a 6x zooming capability, improved low light performance, stabilization, and more. The phone also contains a host of software changes that allow you to do cinematic mode, which artificially blurs videos (like portrait mode). Additionally, other features are HDR 4, and recording in ProRes, a version of video that packs greater depth of color and information for future editing. The 13’s pro models both sport improved battery life, and a 120hz screen, double the 60hz of every other recent iPhone. Beyond that, nothing has changed from the 12 series. 

If you are coming from an iPhone 11 or older, the 13 (Pro) suddenly becomes worth it. 5G, which is the next iteration of cell service, provides over 2500mbps in some locations and more than 260 times the service of 4G in most places. The 13 lineup, along with all of the 12s, also offer an OLED display, which provides richer colors and blacker-blacks compared to the iPhone 11 and earlier phones’ LCD display. The 13s, just like the 12s, also support MagSafe, a system of accessories and chargers that lock onto the back of the iPhone using a ring of magnetic coils. 

In short, the new 13 and 13 Pro line up seem to be the best iPhones made (so far.) It seems that this year's lineup, while a minute upgrade from last years, offers a host of features to people interested in trading their older phones. 

Let’s see what next year brings.