Smartphones
iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 15
Compare iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 15 for camera, display, USB-C, battery, weight, safety features, storage, and long-term value. iPhone 13 Pro is the older Pro model with telephoto, ProMotion, LiDAR, and macro, while iPhone 15 is the newer lighter iPhone with USB-C, Dynamic Island, a 48MP main camera, and satellite safety features.
Last updated: July 22, 2026
Apple
iPhone 13 Pro
An older Pro iPhone with a 120Hz ProMotion display, stainless steel design, telephoto camera, LiDAR, macro photography, ProRAW, and ProRes video.
VS
Apple
iPhone 15
A newer standard iPhone with A16 Bionic, Dynamic Island, 48MP Main camera, USB-C, lighter aluminum design, and satellite safety features.
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Specifications
Pros & Cons
iPhone 13 Pro — Pros
✓ProMotion display with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, which iPhone 15 does not have.
✓Dedicated Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide Pro camera system with 6x optical zoom range.
✓Supports macro photography, macro video, Apple ProRAW, and ProRes video recording.
✓Longer official video playback rating at up to 22 hours versus 20 hours on iPhone 15.
✓Stainless steel frame and textured matte glass back give it a more premium Pro feel.
✓Available up to 1TB storage, while iPhone 15 tops out at 512GB.
iPhone 13 Pro — Cons
✕Older 2021 model with A15 Bionic instead of the newer A16 Bionic in iPhone 15.
✕Heavier at 204 g / 7.19 oz compared with iPhone 15 at 171 g / 6.02 oz.
✕Uses Lightning, while iPhone 15 uses USB-C with DisplayPort support.
✕No Dynamic Island on the official Apple comparison page.
✕Does not list Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, or Roadside Assistance via satellite in its original tech specs.
✕No current direct Apple US buy-button price; condition, battery health, and resale quality matter heavily.
iPhone 15 — Pros
✓Newer A16 Bionic chip compared with A15 Bionic on iPhone 13 Pro.
✓48MP Main camera supports super-high-resolution 24MP and 48MP photos.
✓Dynamic Island is present, while iPhone 13 Pro keeps the older notch design.
✓USB-C connector supports charging, DisplayPort, and USB 2 data speeds.
✓Lighter body at 171 g / 6.02 oz and newer aluminum/color-infused glass design.
✓Adds Apple satellite safety and Crash Detection features listed on the official tech specs.
iPhone 15 — Cons
✕No ProMotion display, so it lacks iPhone 13 Pro's 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
✕No dedicated telephoto camera; 2x telephoto is enabled by the 48MP main sensor.
✕No macro photography, LiDAR Scanner, Apple ProRAW, or ProRes video support listed like iPhone 13 Pro.
✕Shorter official video playback rating at up to 20 hours versus 22 hours on iPhone 13 Pro.
✕Storage options stop at 512GB, while iPhone 13 Pro has a 1TB option.
✕No current direct Apple US buy-button price; Apple's current lineup starts at iPhone 16.
Best used for
✦Shoot real optical telephoto photos with a dedicated 3x camera instead of relying only on sensor crop.
✦Use a smoother ProMotion display for scrolling, gaming, and everyday touch response.
✦Capture macro photos and macro video with the Ultra Wide camera system.
✦Record Apple ProRes video and shoot Apple ProRAW when creator workflows matter.
✦Use LiDAR-assisted features such as Night mode portraits and AR-related workflows.
✦Buy used or refurbished when the price is much lower than a newer standard iPhone.
Best used for
✦Choose a newer everyday iPhone with USB-C for simpler cable sharing with modern devices.
✦Use Dynamic Island for live activities, alerts, calls, timers, and glanceable app states.
✦Take 24MP and 48MP photos from the 48MP Main camera in Apple's current image pipeline.
✦Use Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, and Roadside Assistance via satellite where supported.
✦Carry a lighter phone for daily use without giving up a 6.1-inch OLED display.
✦Buy through authorized reseller channels when a newer standard iPhone is easier to find in better condition.
⚖️
Our Verdict
iPhone 13 Pro is the better pick if the buyer wants Pro features that the standard iPhone 15 still lacks: ProMotion, a dedicated telephoto camera, LiDAR, macro photography, Apple ProRAW, ProRes video, stainless steel build, and a 1TB option. iPhone 15 is the better pick if the buyer wants a newer daily phone with USB-C, Dynamic Island, a lighter body, A16 Bionic, a 48MP Main camera, newer safety features, Bluetooth 5.3, and second-generation Ultra Wideband. Choose iPhone 13 Pro for old-Pro camera and display value; choose iPhone 15 for newer everyday usability.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose iPhone 13 Pro if...
→You want a 120Hz ProMotion display for smoother scrolling and gaming.
→You want a dedicated telephoto camera and a larger optical zoom range.
→You use macro photography, macro video, Apple ProRAW, or ProRes video workflows.
→You prefer stainless steel and the heavier premium Pro feel.
→You need a 1TB storage option for photos, videos, and offline media.
→You found a clean used or refurbished unit with strong battery health at a much better price.
Choose iPhone 15 if...
→You want USB-C instead of Lightning for easier cable sharing.
→You want Dynamic Island and a newer everyday iPhone interface.
→You prefer a lighter phone with a 48MP Main camera and newer image processing.
→You want Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, and Roadside Assistance via satellite.
→You care more about newer wireless hardware like Bluetooth 5.3 and second-generation Ultra Wideband.
→You do not need ProMotion, LiDAR, macro photography, ProRAW, ProRes, or a dedicated telephoto lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is iPhone 13 Pro better than iPhone 15?
A: iPhone 13 Pro is better for ProMotion, telephoto zoom, LiDAR, macro, ProRAW, ProRes, and premium build. iPhone 15 is better for USB-C, Dynamic Island, lower weight, 48MP Main camera, and newer safety features.
Q: Does iPhone 15 have ProMotion?
A: No. Apple's comparison page lists ProMotion for iPhone 13 Pro, while iPhone 15 does not list ProMotion.
Q: Which has the better camera?
A: It depends on the use case. iPhone 15 has a newer 48MP Main camera, but iPhone 13 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, LiDAR, macro photography, Apple ProRAW, and ProRes video.
Q: Which has better battery life?
A: Apple lists iPhone 13 Pro at up to 22 hours of video playback and iPhone 15 at up to 20 hours. iPhone 15 has higher audio playback at up to 80 hours versus 75 hours.
Q: Does iPhone 15 use USB-C?
A: Yes. Apple lists iPhone 15 with a USB-C connector supporting charging, DisplayPort, and USB 2.
Q: Which is better to buy used?
A: iPhone 13 Pro can be a strong used buy if battery health and condition are good, but iPhone 15 is safer for buyers who want a newer phone with USB-C and longer support runway.
Q: Can you still buy either phone directly from Apple?
A: No. Apple's current direct lineup starts at iPhone 16, so iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 15 are no longer sold with an official Apple US buy-button price and are found through resellers or refurbished channels instead.
Q: Which phone has a better display?
A: iPhone 13 Pro has ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, which iPhone 15 lacks. iPhone 15 has higher peak HDR and outdoor brightness and adds Dynamic Island instead of a notch.
Sources & References
Prices, features and specifications in this comparison were verified from official sources.
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