Comparison iPhone XR vs iPhone 13

Main features

Before going fully into talking about all the differences that you can find when comparing the iPhone XR with the iPhone 13, we want you to have a global view of what we are going to discuss throughout this post. For this, below you have a comparative table where you can see the main characteristics of both devices, and therefore, the points where you can find more differences.

As you can see in the comparison table, there are several points in which there is a great difference between the iPhone XR and the iPhone 13. However, and before going to talk at length about them, we want to explain what those are for us. that you have to take more into account, since surely, they are the ones that most affect the user experience.

• The design change is something that cannot be overlooked. Going from having a rounded device to having an iPhone with square frames completely changes the feeling that people have when taking it and using it in their day-to-day lives.
• The number of cameras is also a fundamental point in any device. In addition, not only does the iPhone 13 have more lenses, but one of the great novelties is the presence of the ultra-wide angle accompanied by certain recording modes that expand the possibilities of the iPhone camera.
• The screen is also different, although in size it is exactly the same. OLED technology takes a considerable leap in terms of colors and user experience, and it is something that users who make the jump from one device to another will notice considerably.
• Observing the internal memory from which both computers start, we can also observe a more than evident change, and that is that while the ‘XR’ starts from 64 GB in its basic versions, the ’13’ does double it, 128 GB. The same is true of its maximum capabilities.
• The processor is also an element that changes and although we will analyze in more detail if it is noticed on a day-to-day basis, the generational difference between the A12 and A15 is quite evident with a 3-year difference between them.
• Autonomy is a factor that also plays a decisive role and although the ‘XR’ was once the best iPhone in this area, the iPhone 13 has improved it considerably.

Design differences

Now, yes, it is time to enter to assess all the changes that have occurred throughout the generations and that are reflected in these two devices, the iPhone XR and the iPhone 13. We start with the design, which is undoubtedly something that jumps out as soon as you put one device in front of another.

Is the change in form factor noticeable?

Something that irreparably affects is always a design change, but the difference between the iPhone XR and the iPhone 13 not only lies in something aesthetic, but also in the feeling that all users have when having them and holding them in hand, and this is something that everyone will notice as soon as they see and hold both devices.

The iPhone XR is a device that has well-marked rounded lines , a design that Apple welcomed with the arrival of the iPhone 6 and that it has maintained until the iPhone 11, with the 12 models being the first to make the leap to the long-awaited straight frames. , same design that the iPhone 13 also has. Obviously it is something that not only affects the aesthetic section of the device, but also how it feels in the hand, giving the feeling of having a more premium device in the case of the iPhone 13.

Comfort and shock resistance

The design change mainly affects how comfortable or not it can be for the user, and also the resistance to shocks of both. As for comfort, it is a point in which the sensations and preferences that each one have comes into play. Some think that the rounded design of the iPhone XR feels better in the hand, while others prefer the square frames of the iPhone 13. The only certain thing and that we can assure you is that the feeling of holding both devices is radically different and that It also changes when adding a cover, shell or bumper.

Regarding shock resistance, apparently you can think that both have the same manufacturing material on the back and front, but the reality is quite different. If it is true that both have aerospace-quality aluminum on the back, on the front the iPhone 13 has Ceramic Shield , a material with which Apple promises to make this device more resistant to the possible blows that it may suffer. However, the back of both is still just as delicate and our recommendation is that you always be very careful and, whenever possible, use a cover to keep the device in perfect condition.

Screens, a similarity and many differences

Although both have a 6.1-inch screen, they really do not take advantage of the same and the iPhone 13 has thinner bezels . And they are not the same in terms of screen technology either, and that is that while the ‘XR’ mounts a Liquid Retina HD (IPS) panel, the iPhone 13 is a Super Retina XDR (OLED) , a screen that is far superior in performance by displaying purer colors, Especially highlighting the black, which in this type of panel is achieved by turning off the pixel that represents it and assuming this a lower battery consumption.

You can also find improvements in resolution, brightness and contrast, so the experience you have with the iPhone 13 is much more positive, especially when consuming multimedia content on platforms such as YouTube, Netflix or similar, but also when you start to edit photos or video . On the other hand, the brightness will also make you see the iPhone screen much better, especially outdoors where the light affects considerably and in the ‘XR’ it tends to cost too much to see the content well when the light falls directly on the screen.

Hardware level changes

We have already told you about the design change that has occurred from one device to another and what this means for all users. But obviously, this is not the only thing that differentiates the iPhone XR and iPhone 13. Along with this evolution in design, there is also an advance in different technologies and features that make the iPhone 13 one of the best smartphones on the market.

Is there a lot of change in potency?

Over the generations, another point in which Apple has advanced is in its chip. It is irrefutable that the iPhone 13 has a much more powerful processor than the iPhone XR, with the A15 Bionic Chip being infinitely superior to the A12 Bionic . In addition, the XR has a 3-core GPU , 4 that the iPhone 13 has. Something remarkable is that iPhone XR was the first to have a Neural Engine , 8-core in this case, for the 16 that it has. iPhone 13.

However, these differences do not really lie in a radically different experience when it comes to the speed or fluidity with which you will be able to use both devices. Simply, the iPhone 13, having more and better functions, especially the camera, needs to have a more powerful chip to be able to offer a perfect user experience to all those who use it in their day to day, something that the iPhone XR also offers. . Of course, in the long run it is clear that having a more advanced chip, the iPhone 13 has more years of updates.

The downside of 5G connectivity

One of the points that, although not very relevant now, will be a truly differential point in a short time, is 5G connectivity. Obviously, this is something that the iPhone 13 has, but that today there has been very little deployment of this network and therefore it is not possible to take full advantage of the high speeds that these technologies offer at their best level.

However, and despite the fact that today it is almost anecdotal and that it is not taken advantage of, it is a point to take into account for the future and especially those who change their mobile phone every long time, to have the possibility of connecting A 5G network is a point to take into account , since in the end when this technology is deployed, the iPhone XR will not have any way to connect to this type of network.

Changes in battery and autonomy

The autonomy of the device is one aspect that all users look at before purchasing a device, in this case the iPhone XR was one of the first Apple smartphones to make a leap in terms of battery hours. However, Apple has evolved over the years and the iPhone 13 manages to offer users a few more hours of battery life than the iPhone XR. Below you have the data provided by the Cupertino company itself.

• Video Playback :
  • iPhone XR: up to 16 hours .
  • iPhone 13: up to 19 hours .
• Audio Playback :
  • iPhone XR: up to 65 hours .
  • iPhone 13: up to 75 hours .

In addition, in terms of battery, the autonomy is not the only thing that has changed from the iPhone XR to the iPhone 13, since the way in which the device is charged has changed slightly. In the case of the iPhone XR, it can be charged wirelessly or through the Lightning port. However, the 13 has one more option to the two mentioned above, and that is that it enjoys the MagSafe technology that was introduced in the iPhone with the ’12’ generation.

Cameras, photo and video modes

The cameras section is surely the point where you will be able to find the most differences between both devices. They have a number of different cameras, and this means that the iPhone 13 has a wider variety when it comes to being able to record and shoot photos differently. Here we leave you a comparative table, and later we will go fully into the most important aspects.

Night mode for photography

One of the photographic shooting options that surely makes the difference between these two iPhones is the night mode. Apple has considerably improved the results that its devices are capable of offering in low light conditions, and a good example of this is the difference between a night photograph taken with the iPhone XR and one taken with the iPhone 13.

Also, initially, this night mode was only available with the wide angle lens and not in all shooting modes. However, today you can make use of it with any of the lenses that the iPhone 13 has and also with any photography mode you choose, even Apple has also introduced it in the Time-lapse .

Cinema on video mode

Another of the great attractions of the entire generation of iPhone 13 is the cinema mode. What this style of video recording does is, in some way, transfer the portrait mode to video recording , and the results it offers are very usable, although if it is true, they are not perfect, since you have to take into account note that it is the first version.

However, despite the fact that the results are very positive and, as we say, really usable to carry out high-quality videos, the most impressive of all is the possibility that Apple offers to edit the focus both during recording and later once you have finished recording. The Cupertino company gives you the option of being able to modify the focus point of the video at each moment of the video, both on the iPhone and in other video editors such as Final Cut Pro or iMovie.

Prices and where to buy them

We are coming to the end of this comparison, and obviously we have to mention a fundamental factor when the user decides or not to buy a device, and that is the price. At Apple you can only buy the iPhone 13 , since the iPhone XR has been discontinued by the company and, although you can buy it in other stores, this is becoming more and more complicated as the existence of these devices is coming to an end.

In the Apple Store, the iPhone 13 starts at 909 euros in its 128 GB version, although in Amazon , in addition to also being able to find the iPhone XR , the iPhone 13 is at a slightly lower price than in the Apple store . Obviously, between the two devices there is a great difference in price, which is usually around more than 300 euros, but also a great difference in terms of benefits and possibilities that they give you.

Conclusions.

Finally, it is time to tell you what our conclusions are from this comparison, especially focusing it first, on those users who have an iPhone XR and hesitate to make the leap to the iPhone 13, and secondly, the people who do not have any of the two devices and are considering purchasing one of them.

First of all, and in answer to the question of whether it is worth swapping the iPhone XR for the iPhone 13 , the quick answer is yes. Given the differences and the evolution that exist from one device to another, the change is really worth it. However, and as we always say, you have to take into account the use made of the device and if you really will do something with the iPhone 13 that you cannot do with the iPhone XR right now.

On the other hand, for all the people who do not have either of the two and are thinking of buying one of them, our recommendation is to go, in most cases, for an iPhone 13. And the XR already has several years on the market and obviously the 13 will have many more software updates and more advanced features to promote a longer service life. In any case, it cannot be ruled out if you find a good offer for it.