Should You Upgrade from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16, 3 years apart.
Yes — the iPhone 16 is a worthwhile upgrade
The iPhone 16 is 3 years newer than the iPhone 13, and the BeastScore rises from 64.8 to 71.7. The biggest improvements: performance rated 16 points higher, camera rated 10 points higher, 321 mah bigger battery.
What you gain with the iPhone 16
- +Performance rated 16 points higher
- +Camera rated 10 points higher
- +321 mAh bigger battery
- +10W faster wireless charging
- +1,200 nits brighter peak display
- +Higher-resolution main camera (+36 MP)
- +4 GB more RAM
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 64.8 | 71.7 | +6.9 (11%) |
| Performance score | 64 | 80 | +16 (25%) |
| Camera score | 72 | 82 | +10 (14%) |
| Battery score | 58 | 58 | No real change |
| Display score | 62 | 64 | No real change |
| Battery capacity | 3,240 mAh | 3,561 mAh | +321 mAh (10%) |
| Wired charging | 20W | 20W | No real change |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | +10W (67%) |
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.1" | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 800 nits | 2,000 nits | +1,200 nits (150%) |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 48 MP | +36 MP (300%) |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | +4 GB (100%) |
| Weight | 174 g | 170 g | No real change |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
- Your iPhone 13 is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 16: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16?
Yes — the iPhone 16 is a worthwhile upgrade. The iPhone 16 is 3 years newer than the iPhone 13, and the BeastScore rises from 64.8 to 71.7. The biggest improvements: performance rated 16 points higher, camera rated 10 points higher, 321 mah bigger battery.
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16?
Performance rated 16 points higher: 64 on the iPhone 13 vs 80 on the iPhone 16.
Does the iPhone 16 have a bigger battery than the iPhone 13?
The iPhone 16 has a 3,561 mAh battery versus 3,240 mAh on the iPhone 13 (+321 mAh (10%)).
Who should upgrade to the iPhone 16?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; Photo quality is a priority for you; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen; Your iPhone 13 is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down.