Should You Buy A 3-Year Old iPhone in 2025?

Summary

In this detailed comparison, the iPhone 13 is put against mid-range Android phones from 2024/2025 to evaluate its value in today's market. While the iPhone 13 excels in camera quality and software support, it falls short in display, performance, battery life, charging speed, and repair costs. The Android phones offer more modern features like higher refresh rate displays, faster charging, and better overall performance, making them more competitive in the 40,000 INR price range. The iPhone 13 might still suit certain use cases, but for most users, newer Android phones are the better choice in 2025.

Takeaways

• 😀 The iPhone 13, despite being launched 3 years ago, still remains popular in India due to sales promotions like credit cards and EMIs.
• 😀 The iPhone 13 has a 60Hz display, which feels outdated compared to the newer 120Hz or 144Hz displays found on Android phones in the same price range.
• 😀 iPhone 13 is still durable with an IP68 water resistance rating, similar to many Android phones, but repair costs for the iPhone are significantly higher.
• 😀 iPhone's design has remained largely unchanged since the iPhone 11, with small annual tweaks, while Android phones have evolved more visibly in terms of design.
• 😀 Despite Apple’s iOS updates, the iPhone 13 lacks newer features like Always-On display and advanced AI features due to hardware limitations.
• 😀 Android phones in this price range (₹30,000-₹40,000) provide more software features, including AI capabilities, which the iPhone 13 lacks due to its older hardware.
• 😀 In terms of performance, the iPhone 13 holds its own with the A15 Bionic chip, but mid-range Android phones outperform it in gaming and multitasking tasks.
• 😀 The iPhone 13 struggles with newer games like COD Warzone, while Android phones in the same price range perform better in both gaming and multitasking.
• 😀 iPhone 13 has the advantage of better color accuracy and natural skin tones in photography, though Android phones are closing the gap, especially for social media photography.
• 😀 Android phones offer much faster charging speeds (up to 125W), while the iPhone 13 only supports 20W charging, making it slower by 2025 standards.

Q & A

Why is Apple iPhone 13 still selling well in India in 2024 despite being 3 years old?

Apple iPhone 13 continues to sell well in India due to its appealing pricing, especially with attractive offers like credit card EMI schemes. Despite being 3 years old, the iPhone 13 offers reliable performance, which keeps it popular, especially among those looking for a more affordable entry into the iPhone ecosystem.

What parameters were used to compare the iPhone 13 with Android phones?

The comparison between iPhone 13 and Android phones focused on seven key parameters: build and design, display and speakers, software experience, performance, repair costs, camera quality, and battery & charging efficiency.

How does the iPhone 13's design compare to newer Android devices?

The iPhone 13 features a more static design compared to Android devices, which frequently evolve. Although the iPhone's design has remained similar since the iPhone 11, it is still well-regarded for its durability and the availability of accessories. However, Android devices often offer more noticeable design changes with each release.

Does the iPhone 13 have a better display than Android devices?

No, the iPhone 13 is equipped with a 60 Hz display, which is considered outdated in comparison to newer Android devices like the OnePlus 13r, which offers a higher refresh rate (up to 120 Hz). While the iPhone's display is sharp and bright, it falls short when compared to newer Android displays in terms of smoothness and performance in direct sunlight.

How does the software experience on the iPhone 13 compare to Android devices in 2024?

The iPhone 13 offers excellent software support, receiving updates for 3 years. However, due to hardware limitations, some newer features available on the latest iPhones do not make it to the iPhone 13. Android devices, like the OnePlus 13r, offer better software features, such as AI enhancements and more frequent updates. The iPhone 13 scores lower in this comparison due to these feature limitations.

Which phone has better overall performance, the iPhone 13 or Android phones in the same price range?

While the iPhone 13 performs well for general tasks, its A15 Bionic chip lags behind the performance of newer Android phones like the OnePlus 13r (with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) and the Motorola H50 Pro (with Snapdragon 7 Gen 3), especially in gaming and multitasking. For casual tasks, the iPhone 13 still performs decently, but for intensive tasks, mid-range Androids outperform it.

What is the repair cost comparison between iPhone 13 and Android devices?

Repair costs for the iPhone 13 are significantly higher compared to Android devices. For instance, replacing the display on the iPhone 13 costs approximately ₹25,500, while similar repairs for Android phones like the OnePlus 13r or Motorola H50 Pro are much lower (around ₹8,000 to ₹10,000).

Which phone has the best camera between the iPhone 13 and Android alternatives?

In terms of natural colors and overall image quality, the iPhone 13 has the best camera, especially for photos and videos. It delivers accurate skin tones and lighting control, particularly for human subjects. However, the Android phones like the OnePlus 13r and Motorola H50 Pro are closing the gap in terms of camera performance, especially in social media apps where both offer competitive photo quality.

How do the battery life and charging speeds of the iPhone 13 compare to Android devices?

The iPhone 13 has a lower battery capacity, and its 3-year-old battery health (85%) results in reduced performance compared to newer Android devices. The iPhone 13 supports 20W charging, which is slower by 2025 standards. In contrast, the OnePlus 13r and Motorola H50 Pro offer faster charging (up to 80W and 125W, respectively) and better battery longevity, easily lasting a full day or more.

Is it worth buying the iPhone 13 in 2024 for someone who wants a budget iPhone?

While the iPhone 13 remains a decent option for users seeking a budget iPhone, it is not recommended for most buyers in 2024. Android phones in the same price range (₹30,000-40,000) offer better value, performance, and more modern features. The iPhone 13 might be suitable as a secondary phone or for specific use cases, like for parents or photography, but it falls behind in many key areas compared to newer Android options.