Which is better between iPhone 13 and iPhone 14?

Bottom line: The iPhone 14 brings a few improvements over the iPhone 13 —including a slightly better camera, slightly longer battery life, and new security features—making it the technically superior model. However, the iPhone 13 offers a nearly identical experience for a much more affordable price in 2025, especially as a refurbished model. So the choice depends on your priorities: budget or benefiting from the latest little new features.

Design and screen: almost identical

Visually, it's very difficult to tell an iPhone 13 from an iPhone 14. Both have the same aluminum and glass design , with a 6.1-inch edge-to-edge display with a notch. Dimensions and weight are virtually unchanged (146.7 mm × 71.5 mm for ~173 g each) – the iPhone 14 is just 0.15 mm thicker and 1 g lighter, imperceptible differences. Apple therefore took no risks aesthetically: if you put a 13 and a 14 side by side, good luck telling them apart .

On the screen side, it's the same: both have exactly the same 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED display, with the same resolution (2532×1170 px at 460 ppi), the same contrast, and the same peak brightness of 1200 nits in HDR. There are no notable differences in display. Note that the colors offered differ slightly (the iPhone 14 introduced shades like purple and yellow, while the 13 offered pink and green, among others). But aside from these subtle new colors , the exterior remains practically identical.

The only design change on the 14 is internal and invisible: a redesigned layout that makes repairs easier (easier to replace the back panel) and improves cooling a little. In short, the iPhone 14 may run a little cooler under heavy use thanks to this change. For the average user, this doesn't make much of a difference in everyday life, but it's a welcome change. Furthermore, both models offer the same water resistance ( IP68 certification, up to 6 m for 30 min) and the same MagSafe compatibility for accessories. In France, both accept a nano-SIM + eSIM (in the US, the iPhone 14 is eSIM-only, but this doesn't apply to the French market).

Design/Screen Verdict: Tie. No significant difference in hand or to the naked eye – the iPhone 14 looks exactly like the iPhone 13, aside from the color scheme and a very slight increase in internal robustness.

Power and performance: almost identical too

On the technical side, both smartphones run on the Apple A15 Bionic chip . Notably, Apple didn't give the iPhone 14 (standard model) a new processor compared to the 13 – proof that the A15 was already very powerful and durable. The iPhone 14 even uses a version of the A15 identical to that of the iPhone 13 Pro, i.e. with a 5-core GPU instead of 4 cores for the iPhone 13, and it also has 6 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB for the 13. In theory, this small boost translates to ~15% more graphics performance and better endurance in multitasking. In practice, the difference in fluidity is barely noticeable in everyday use.

For typical usage (apps, web, social media, video, etc.), the iPhone 13 remains perfectly fluid and won't slow you down at all. The A15 chip is still among the most powerful on the mobile market in 2025, capable of running everything without slowing down. Only in very heavy tasks (demanding 3D games, 4K video editing, etc.) will the iPhone 14 be able to maintain a few more fps and keep more apps in memory thanks to its additional RAM. Outside of these specific scenarios, you'll see virtually no difference in speed between the two.

In terms of software , both models offer the same experience. Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 support iOS 18 (and soon iOS 19) in 2025, with all the latest software features. Apple ensures ~5 to 6 years of major iOS updates, so the iPhone 13 should be updated until around 2026-2027 , while the iPhone 14 will logically go a year further. Both have Face ID , Apple Pay, 5G… in short, nothing is missing in terms of standard features.

Performance Verdict: Tie for everyday use. The iPhone 14's technical improvements (5-core GPU, 2GB more RAM) give it an edge on paper, but these gains are anecdotal in real-world use. So don't choose the 14 over the 13 for pure speed—they're almost dead heat in that regard.

Camera and video: iPhone 14 advantage (modest)

Here again, the technical specifications are very similar . The iPhone 13 and 14 both have a dual 12 MP sensor (main wide-angle + ultra-wide-angle) on the back. Apple has taken the same sensor duo on the 14, but with slight improvements :

• Improved aperture and sensor: The iPhone 14's main lens opens at ƒ/1.5 (compared to ƒ/1.6 on the 13) and its sensor is a little larger. In practical terms, the 14 captures a little more light, which improves low-light photos. The difference isn't radical, but your night shots will be slightly sharper, with better detail and color rendering thanks to the new image processing ( Photonic Engine on the 14).

• Front camera: The iPhone 14 introduces autofocus on the TrueDepth selfie camera (12 MP ƒ/1.9), compared to fixed focus on the iPhone 13. As a result, selfies and video calls are more precise, with sharper faces, especially at various distances. This is a welcome addition for selfie lovers.

• Video stabilization: New on the 14, Action Mode uses the entire sensor to provide action-camera-like stabilization, very useful for filming on the move (sports, travel, etc.). This mode does not exist on the iPhone 13. In addition, Cinematic Mode (shallow depth of field video) is improved on the 14, which allows filming in 4K while the 13 is limited to 1080p. Both devices film in standard 4K up to 60 fps and slow-motion 240 fps in 1080p, with excellent image quality in both cases.

In everyday use, the iPhone 13 already takes excellent photos and videos. In daylight or in good light, you'll see very little difference between the two. The iPhone 14 stands out especially in difficult situations ( night or moving scenes), where it will produce slightly more usable images (less digital noise, sharper subject) thanks to its optimizations. For a casual photographer, the iPhone 13 remains very satisfactory . Both share all Apple photo functions (Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR, Portrait mode, etc.), except for the new features mentioned (selfie autofocus, Action mode). Obviously, the Pro versions of these iPhones offer additional assets (×3 telephoto lens, 48 ​​MP sensor, ProRAW, etc.), but between the standard 13 vs 14 models, it's the status quo on most aspects.

Photo/Video Verdict: iPhone 14 wins, but only slightly. It performs slightly better in low light and for selfies, and offers additional video modes. If these aspects are crucial for you (intensive mobile photographer, vlogger, etc.), the 14 wins. For more traditional photo use, the iPhone 13 remains in the leading pack and will not disappoint.

Battery life and battery life: advantage of the iPhone 14 (very light)

Apple announces 1 hour more autonomy in video playback for the iPhone 14 compared to the 13. Concretely, the 13 lasts ~19 hours of continuous video playback, against ~20 hours for the 14. In audio, ~75 h for the 13 vs 80 h for the 14. This small improvement comes from a slightly larger battery (3279 mAh on the 14 vs 3227 mAh on the 13) and some optimizations. In real use , the difference is minimal, almost imperceptible on a daily basis. Both phones provide a solid day of mixed use on battery.

It's worth noting that if battery life is your number one criterion, neither shines as much as the Plus/Pro Max models (much more enduring). Between 13 and 14 standard, however, this criterion should not dictate your choice as their endurances are so close. Both recharge at the same speed (no faster charging on the 14).

Battery Life Verdict: The iPhone 14 lasts a few minutes longer, but in reality it's almost a tie . Don't choose the 14 solely for its battery, unless you're really looking for that extra hour of video playback.

Additional features: iPhone 14 advantage

To round things out, the iPhone 14 introduces some new features not found on the iPhone 13:

• Crash Detection : Thanks to new sensors (high-G accelerometer and improved gyroscope), the iPhone 14 can detect a serious car accident and automatically call for help. A passive safety feature that hopefully will never be used, but can save lives.

• Satellite Emergency SOS : In the event of an emergency without any network coverage, the iPhone 14 can send a distress message via satellites. This works in some areas (including mainland France) to contact emergency services from anywhere. The iPhone 13 does not have this capability.

• Bluetooth 5.3 (vs. BT 5.0 on the iPhone 13): The 14 supports a slightly newer Bluetooth, which marginally improves power efficiency and latency with compatible accessories. It's hardly a noticeable difference, but it's there.

• SIM support : In France, both support nano-SIM + eSIM. In the US, the iPhone 14 is eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray), but this will not impact French users in 2025.

Otherwise, nothing really differentiates the two models in terms of features. They both offer 5G, Wi-Fi 6, NFC for Apple Pay, MagSafe, Face ID, wireless charging, and more. None of these specifications have changed between 2021 (iPhone 13) and 2022 (iPhone 14). The iPhone 14 mainly brings security features that we hope we never have to use, but which can be a plus if you do risky activities (mountain, road, etc.).

Verdict Features: The iPhone 14 stands out with a few additional options (crash detection, satellite SOS). These are advantages to consider if you have the user profile to benefit from them (off-grid adventurer, etc.). For typical urban use, these new features will not be decisive on a daily basis.

Price and value for money in 2025

This may be the crux of the matter : since the iPhone 14 is a year newer, it logically costs more than the iPhone 13. When it was released in late 2022, the iPhone 14 (128 GB) was launched at ~€1019 compared to ~€909 for the iPhone 13 a year earlier. That's around a €100 difference when it was new at the time.

In 2025, neither the 13 nor the 14 are sold new by Apple (the brand instead offers the iPhone 14 as an entry-level model after the release of the 15 and 16). But the iPhone 14 and especially the iPhone 13 can be found on the refurbished second-hand market at very attractive prices. Three years after its release , the refurbished 128 GB iPhone 13 can be found for around €300 only, depending on storage and condition. This is about three times cheaper than its original new price, which makes it a remarkable deal for a phone that remains so powerful. The refurbished iPhone 14, on the other hand, is around €400–500 on average in 2025 (depending on the market). The 13 therefore retains the price advantage.

In other words, the iPhone 13 offers unbeatable value for money today. As our dedicated article indicates, this model offers an experience very close to the iPhone 14 for a much more attractive price. Unless you absolutely want the latest features of the 14, the iPhone 13 is clearly worth it compared to its direct successor. By choosing a refurbished iPhone 13, you make a substantial saving while getting a device that will remain powerful for several years.

Verdict Price: Overwhelming advantage to the iPhone 13. New or used, it costs significantly less than the iPhone 14 in 2025. For buyers on a budget or simply concerned about value, the 13 wins hands down.

(👉 Also read: Is the iPhone 13 still worth it in 2025? Our full analysis on the subject covers the longevity of the iPhone 13 in detail.

Conclusion: which one to choose in 2025?

Between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 14, the “better” depends on your needs and your budget. Technically, the iPhone 14 is the better one —since it takes everything the 13 does and adds small improvements. But these are minor : in real-world use, the user experience is almost the same on both models. The iPhone 14 will be best suited to those who demand that little extra in photo/video and want the latest security features, or simply those who want to keep their iPhone for another year (extended iOS update). Conversely, if getting the best value for your money is your priority, the iPhone 13 is a great choice in 2025. For a significantly lower cost, it delivers 90–95% of the capabilities of the iPhone 14—an unbeatable compromise for most users.

In summary, here are some tips to help you decide:

• Already have an iPhone 13? No need to upgrade to the 14—the changes are too minimal to justify a new purchase. Keep your 13—it's still the best.

• Got an older model (XS/11/12, etc.)? The iPhone 14 will be a great choice, but also look at the iPhone 13 if you want to save several hundred euros while enjoying a device with very similar performance. .

• Looking for a bargain? The refurbished iPhone 13 is arguably the best deal : it offers nearly the same experience as the 14 for a much lower price. In our view, the iPhone 13 will be the smart choice for the vast majority of users in 2025, with the iPhone 14 only worth considering if its few extra features are truly important to you.

Ultimately, it's hard to declare a "big winner" as these two iPhones are so close. ✅ The iPhone 14 is objectively the best (since it does everything the 13 does and a little more). But ✅ the iPhone 13 remains the most sensible purchase, thanks to its lower cost for almost equivalent performance. In any case, whether you opt for one or the other, you will benefit from a premium, durable and high-performance Apple smartphone. It's up to you to decide if the small improvements of the 14 are worth the extra cost compared to a 13 - if so, go for the 14 with your eyes closed, otherwise the 13 will satisfy you just as much and save you a good amount. The "better" between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 14 therefore depends mainly on what is best for you 😉.