Apple’s iPhone 13 was an excellent phone in its time – but its time was back in 2021, which means that it’s just starting to hit the point where a lot of people start considering a smartphone upgrade.
Predictable as clockwork, Apple’s just run through its annual refresh of its primary iPhone lines, in this case announcing the iPhone 17. Year-on-year upgrades are really only for the absolutely cashed-up Apple faithful, but after four years, it’s definitely worth considering your upgrade options.
There are a number of factors to consider here. Firstly, let’s take a comparative glimpse at how the iPhone 13 compares to the iPhone 17 at a specifications level:
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Resolution | Super Retina XDR | Liquid Retina HD |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP + 48MP | 12MP + 12MP |
| Front Camera | 18MP | 12MP |
| Processor | A19 | A15 |
| Storage | 256GB - 512GB | 128GB - 512GB |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| 5G | Sub 6 | Sub 6 |
| SIM | Physical + eSIM | Physical + eSIM |
| Price | From $1,399 | No longer available |
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13: Price
The iPhone 17 is Apple’s newest model, and as with everything Apple, there’s a premium price to pay, depending on how much storage you want. If you’re pondering an upgrade to one of the other iPhone 17 models, here’s a full rundown of pricing across the iPhone 17 range:
| Phone | RRP | Check price on |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e (256GB) | $1,149 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17e (512GB) | $1,549 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 (256GB) | $1,549 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 (512GB) | $1,849 | Amazon |
| iPhone Air (256GB) | $1,899 | Amazon |
| iPhone Air (512GB) | $2,299 | Amazon |
| iPhone Air (1TB) | $3,099 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 Pro (256GB)* | $1,999 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 Pro (512GB)* | $2,399 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 Pro (1TB)* | $2,799 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB)* | $2,199 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max (512GB)* | $2,599 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max (1TB)* | $2,999 | Amazon |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max (2TB)* | $3,799 | Amazon |
*iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max were discontinued in September 2026. While the iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air got price increases when the iPhone 18 Pro launched, this wasn't the case for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. As such, we're still listing their launch pricing here. You should be able to find them cheaper, however.
If you really love your iPhone 13 and figure you’d prefer to just pick up a new-to-you replacement model, that’s going to be tricky, to put it mildly.
Apple has long since stopped selling new iPhone 13 handsets, and practically speaking, you’re unlikely to find any never-opened stock with other retailers after this span of time. You may be able to acquire one through a reseller selling refurbished or second-hand models, however.
If you’re after an iPhone 17 on contract, here’s how much the lowest cost iPhone 17 costs on a 36-month term through Vodafone, Telstra and Optus:
iPhone 17 256GB Plans
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$77.86/mth
Min. cost $1,437.96
|
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$88.02/mth
Min. cost $1,593.72
|
|
Vodafone
$68 Medium Plan
$93.02/mth
Min. cost $1,598.72
|
|
Vodafone
$78 Large Plan
$98.02/mth
Min. cost $1,603.72
|
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$107.86/mth
Min. cost $1,467.96
|
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$108.86/mth
Min. cost $1,468.96
|
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$117.02/mth
Min. cost $1,622.72
Link not supplied
|
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$127.02/mth
Min. cost $1,632.72
Link not supplied
|
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$128.86/mth
Min. cost $1,488.96
|
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan
$142.02/mth
Min. cost $1,647.72
Link not supplied
|
iPhone 17 Pro 256GB Plans
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$92.18/mth
Min. cost $2,043.72
|
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$94.52/mth
Min. cost $2,037.72
|
|
Vodafone
$68 Medium Plan
$97.18/mth
Min. cost $2,048.72
|
|
Vodafone
$78 Large Plan
$102.18/mth
Min. cost $2,053.72
|
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$124.52/mth
Min. cost $2,067.72
|
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$125.52/mth
Min. cost $2,068.72
|
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$129.52/mth
Min. cost $2,072.72
Link not supplied
|
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$139.52/mth
Min. cost $2,082.72
Link not supplied
|
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$145.52/mth
Min. cost $2,088.72
|
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan
$154.52/mth
Min. cost $2,097.72
Link not supplied
|
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB Plans
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$97.74/mth
Min. cost $2,243.88
|
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$100.08/mth
Min. cost $2,237.88
|
|
Vodafone
$68 Medium Plan
$102.74/mth
Min. cost $2,248.88
|
|
Vodafone
$78 Large Plan
$107.74/mth
Min. cost $2,253.88
|
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$130.08/mth
Min. cost $2,267.88
|
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$131.08/mth
Min. cost $2,268.88
|
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$135.08/mth
Min. cost $2,272.88
Link not supplied
|
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$145.08/mth
Min. cost $2,282.88
Link not supplied
|
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$151.08/mth
Min. cost $2,288.88
|
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan
$160.08/mth
Min. cost $2,297.88
Link not supplied
|
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13: Camera
The dual lens system on the iPhone 13 was fine for its era, largely thanks to Apple’s very precise image optimisation making the most out of what were just 12MP wide and ultra-wide sensors at the rear, plus (you guessed it) a 12MP sensor at the front that also had to do double duty as both a selfie shooter and FaceID verification method.
The iPhone 17 runs from dual 48MP wide and ultra-wide cameras, giving it scope for improved standard, ultra-wide and macro shots, especially compared to the sensors on the iPhone 13. Around the front, you’ll find a new 18MP square camera sensor for improved selfie taking, including the ability to take landscape selfies without having to rotate your phone around. All of this should also see an uptick in post-processing for better quality photos, thanks to the capabilities of Apple’s A19 processor, too.
Where the iPhone 13 places its rear camera lenses diagonally, on the iPhone 17, they’re placed vertically. This doesn’t affect how you take photos with either phone; for most users, it’s just a style change. At a technical level, it’s to do with the way that Apple captures images for secondary uses such as its pricey Vision Pro.
iPhone 17 camera samples
Check out these camera samples taken on the iPhone 17. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13: Connectivity
It wasn’t the last, but the writing was on the wall for Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector when the iPhone 13 came out for sure. Still, if you’ve gotten used to Apple’s thin little connector, or you have a bunch of Lightning-specific accessories to use with it, they won’t be much use to you on the iPhone 17, because these days Apple is 100% on board with the USB-C standard instead. It does at least still plug in either way around, which saves a lot of fiddling around.
From a mobile connection standpoint, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 17 support 5G networks, albeit only 5G Sub 6Ghz for Australian sold models via a single Nano SIM and eSIM. Be aware, however, that if you opt to import an iPhone 17, in some other countries the iPhone 17 models sold are eSIM only.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13: Design
The iPhone 13 originally shipped in (PRODUCT)RED, Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink and Green finishes, where you can get the iPhone 17 in Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage or Lavender.
While they’re not specifically new to the iPhone 17 generation, the difference in years between it and the iPhone 13 means you’ll also get access to some design features that change the way you use your iPhone.
The mute toggle on the left-hand side is gone, replaced with the highly customisable Action Button. Don’t worry if you just want muting, as that’s the default action it takes, but you can do a whole lot more with this button if you’ve got wider needs.
On the right-hand side, you’ll find the Camera Control, which acts as both a direct camera shutter with a full press or a camera modification slider with a half press. Again, if you’re used to using the onscreen controls for your photo taking, you’re still totally free to do so.
Dodo's NBN 500 Unlimited plan is our pick for the best NBN 500 plan for September.
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
|
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13: Display
The iPhone 13’s display is described by Apple as a “Super Retina XDR” model, but what this means outside the marketing fluff is that it’s got a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 2532‑by‑1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi, whereas the iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch 2622x1206-pixel OLED.
Apple used to hold its faster refresh rate displays purely to its Pro-branded iPhone models, but for 2025, it’s extended fast refresh rates – ProMotion in Apple-speak – to the entire iPhone 17 lineup. What this means is that the display can shift down or up depending on the content you’re watching, so you get smoother scrolling through web pages or less choppy action in iPhone games.
The single biggest change you’ll notice coming from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 17 is that the FaceID notch has been expanded out into what Apple calls the Dynamic Island. It’s still used for facial verification for all your Apple Pay purchases, but it’s also now a contextual element in its own right that shows everything from music details to timers across the top of the screen. Once again, it’s not a new-to-iPhone-17-only kind of feature, but it’s certainly the biggest display difference between the two models.
Apple’s refined the durability of its displays over time, and as such, you get a technically more robust screen on the iPhone 17 compared to the Ceramic Glass finish of the iPhone 13. The iPhone 17 uses Apple’s Ceramic Shield 2 at the front for higher durability, while the rear is coated in a colour-infused glass finish.
That doesn’t give you carte blanche to keep your iPhone in a sandpaper wallet (please don't), and an iPhone case is still a very wise investment in all cases – but it should be just a little bit better at surviving life’s bumps and shocks.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13: Performance
Apple’s iPhone 13 runs on the A15 Bionic chip; specifically a variant with a six-core CPU and four-core GPU. At the time of its release, it was one of the fastest processors in any phone excluding (not surprisingly) the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max which ran with an extra GPU core for that added bit of oomph.
However, technology always marches forward, and in the intervening years, Apple’s processors have gotten even faster. The Apple A19 found in the iPhone 17 is several generations ahead of the A15 Bionic, and that should give it a significant performance edge over the older model, with up to twice the GPU performance as per Apple’s claims around its new iPhone.
That’s got particular relevance to Apple’s increasing focus on Apple Intelligence, its own in-house AI platform that blends on-device and back-to-server functions for large language model tasks.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13: Battery
Apple’s position on battery capacity for iPhones is that it’s never been particularly keen to release direct figures for battery capacity for any model at all. Instead, it prefers the real-world-in-theory approach of talking about iPhones in terms of their playback potential.
The iPhone 13’s battery is rated by Apple as being good for up to 19 hours of video playback, whereas, comparatively, the iPhone 17 models sold in Australia can, as per Apple, manage up to 30 hours. Those are, of course, qualified figures – Apple uses its own iTunes-based video files for testing, and any “up to” figure gives it wriggle room to cover use cases that might not meet those numbers.
While we’ll have to wait to properly test the iPhone 17 in real-world tests to get a broader picture of its likely battery endurance, there’s another factor for any iPhone 13 owner to consider. The nature of Lithium Ion batteries, and especially those that are used every day, are going to degrade over time. Battery chemistry here means that even if you did find that rare unicorn of an iPhone 13 model that had never been opened since it was packed back in 2021, it would still have a degree of battery loss over time.
What that means in real terms is that while Apple might have rated it as good for up to 19 hours back in 2021, the odds of it being able to meet that figure now are exceptionally low. This doesn’t mean that iPhone 13 phones are faulty; it’s a fact of life for any smartphone that battery capacity and, therefore, performance will drop over time. As such, upgrading after a four-year period could make an immense difference to your actual battery endurance.
In our testing, we've found the iPhone 17 is able to get up to seven hours of screen time per charge. That's a full day of moderate usage with a comfortable buffer, and about an hour better per charge than we were able to get from the iPhone 13 when we reviewed it four years ago.
Should you upgrade to iPhone 17?
Four years is pretty much the sweet spot for upgrading any smartphone, because you’re going to see a pretty big jump in performance across most metrics. Cameras are better, processors are better, and battery life should be better, even if it’s only by dint of being a fresh battery.
Of course, if your iPhone 13 still meets your needs nicely, there’s a decent argument to stick with it and save your pennies. The iPhone 13 generation will be compatible with iOS 26, though you may not see all features on your older handset, and it’s likely that within a couple of years, you’ll fall off the iOS upgrade cycle entirely.
That does mean that you should still be able to get a decent trade-in price for an iPhone 13 right now, and that won’t be quite as true in 12 months' time when we can predict with our patented crystal-ball-of-complete-obviousness that the iPhone 18 should emerge.
iPhone 17 256GB Plans
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$77.86/mth
Min. cost $1,437.96
|
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$88.02/mth
Min. cost $1,593.72
|
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$117.02/mth
Min. cost $1,622.72
Link not supplied
|
iPhone 17 Pro 256GB Plans
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$92.18/mth
Min. cost $2,043.72
|
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$94.52/mth
Min. cost $2,037.72
|
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$129.52/mth
Min. cost $2,072.72
Link not supplied
|
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB Plans
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$97.74/mth
Min. cost $2,243.88
|
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$100.08/mth
Min. cost $2,237.88
|
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$135.08/mth
Min. cost $2,272.88
Link not supplied
|
Alex Kidman
Freelance Contributor
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