Apple iPhone 13 series launched with bigger battery and better display

Apple announced the annual refresh to its popular smartphone in the form of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro series in its virtual launch event on Tuesday. Like 2020, the company launched the iPhone 13 series with 4 models – iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. All four models have external specifications very similar to its predecessors, meaning they have the same screen sizes and vastly similar overall design. It brings with it an upgraded chipset, better cameras, better OLED displays and most importantly smaller notches across the lineup.

Specifications

All four models carry Apple’s latest flagship chipset – Bionic A15 SoC. This is a 6-core CPU with 4 efficient and 2 high performance cores along with a 16-core Neural Engine. Both the iPhone 13 Pro models get a 5-core integrated GPU with the Bionic A15 chip, while the regular iPhone 13 models get a 4 core GPU. While it hasn’t disclosed the battery capacity of either models, Apple promises 2.5 hours of better battery backup on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max Models over their respective previous generations and 1.5 hours better battery backup for the Mini and the Pro models.

All four have the same screen sizes as their predecessors, but now have upto 20 percent smaller notch, thereby allowing for a better screen real estate. All four models now feature vastly improved screen brightness with a peak HDR brightness of 1200nits, while the Pro models also carry Apple’s ProMotion 120Hz displays. They also support Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG.

Apple has used surgical grade stainless steel for the frame of the iPhone 13 Pro models, with a custom finish that’s said to be resistant to abrasion and corrosion. The regular models use the same Aluminium frames like the previous generation. All four models have a ceramic shield material on the front, and IP68 dust and water resistance ratings.

This is the first generation which marks Apple’s move away from 64GB storage, while venturing into higher storage for its smartphones. iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini now come with storage options of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB while both the iPhone 13 Pro models now come with 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage.

Camera

Apple’s smartphones are amongst the best you can ever find on a modern smartphone. This year’s series feature subtle improvements over last year’s great cameras. The regular iPhone 13 models come with 2 cameras, now aligned diagonally and feature improved optics. Sensor-shift stabilization, a feature available with the iPhone 12 Pro models to enhance low-light photography and video stabilization, is now available on all 4 models this year.

The primary lens of this year’s iPhone 13 models features a f/1.6 primary sensor with 1.7μm pixel size. The secondary lens is the ultra-wide camera, which gets an upgrade with a five-element lens and an f/2.4 aperture for upgraded low-light performance. This lens is also a lot better and faster at auto-focus.

The Pro models feature 3 cameras with the first two lenses being improved variants of the lenses found on the regular models. The primary lens carries a f/1.5 aperture and the secondary is an ultra-wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture for superior low-light performance. The third camera is a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The ultra wide lens on the Pro models can also double up as a lens suitable for macro photography which also has abilities for macro slow motion video recording.

Apple has also introduced cinematic mode for all four models, along with 4K 60 FPS video. When you start recording, the cinematic mode will hold focus which will anticipate and intelligently change the focus for you. You can tap to shift focus, and tap to lock, and it’s available for the front-facing camera too. The Pro Models also allow you to record videos in Dolby Vision.

Pricing

The starting price of the iPhone 13 series remains intact with the previous generation, while also providing double the storage at the same starting price.

The iPhone 13 Mini is priced at ₹69,900 for the 128GB storage variant, ₹79,900 for the 256GB storage variant and ₹99,900 for the 512GB storage variant. The iPhone 13 is priced at ₹79,900 for 128GB, ₹89,900 for 256GB and ₹109,900 for 512GB storage options. Both the models will be available in Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED color options.

The iPhone 13 Pro is priced at ₹119,900 for 128GB, ₹129,900 for 256GB, ₹149,900 for 512GB and ₹1,69,900 for 1TB storage variants. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is priced at ₹129,900 for 128GB, ₹139,900 for 256GB, ₹159,900 for 512GB and ₹179,900 for 1TB storage variants. Both smartphones will be available in Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue color variants that carry a premium look over the regular models.

Pre-orders for all the 4 models in India will start on Friday, September 17th along with 30 other top countries, with retail availability starting one week later from September 24th. Exchange offers are also available for all 4 models when bought through Apple’s store.