Is the iPhone 13 Still Worth Buying in 2025?
- iPhone 13 was launched in 2021 and is now a 4-year-old phone.
Is the iPhone 13 Still Worth Buying in 2025? A Practical Review
Despite being a few years old, the iPhone 13 continues to hold its ground remarkably well in 2025. If you’re considering buying one this year, you’re not alone. Here’s an in-depth look at whether the iPhone 13 is still a smart purchase in today’s market.
Design and Build: Still Premium in 2025
The design doesn’t feel outdated at all in 2025. The back side looks very similar to the iPhone 15, and it continues to offer a premium in-hand feel. The compact design and durable materials still make it a head-turner.
MagSafe works flawlessly, and the display remains bright, vivid, and sharp — easily holding its own against many modern devices.
Performance: Surprisingly Powerful
Performance-wise, the iPhone 13 still beats many newer Android phones. With an impressive 1.2 million+ Antutu score, it comes close to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in terms of raw power. It handles day-to-day tasks effortlessly and even manages heavy apps and games with minimal issues.
Although it’s a few generations old, the phone performs without any heating during regular use. However, under prolonged gaming or heavy loads, expect some heat — a common occurrence even in modern devices.
Gaming Experience: Smooth, But Mind the Heat
The iPhone 13 delivers smooth 60 FPS gameplay in titles like PUBG. Graphics are crisp, and performance is consistent. However, during extended gaming sessions or on high graphics settings, the phone tends to heat up. An external cooling fan or heat sink might help if you’re a serious mobile gamer.
Multitasking & Battery Life
Multitasking is excellent. RAM management is top-notch, and no noticeable lag was experienced during testing. In terms of battery, the 4,240mAh cell may seem small compared to modern Androids, but it performs admirably.
Moderate use: Easily lasts a full day
Heavy use (e.g., gaming): Expect around 4-5 hours
Charging: 20W wired charging takes about 1.5 hours, which is still decent in 2025 — even if not groundbreaking.
Display Experience: 60Hz Still Feels Smooth
The 60Hz OLED panel offers a fluid scrolling experience with no visible jitter. While it’s not 120Hz, the animations and gestures are optimized, making it hard to notice the difference for average users. In fact, Apple’s base models (even the latest ones) still use 60Hz, so you’re not missing much.
Camera: Still a Strong Performer
Apple’s 12MP dual-camera system continues to impress in 2025. The iPhone 13 outperforms many mid-range and even some flagship Android phones, especially in video recording.
- 4K at 60FPS from both front and rear cameras
- Cinematic mode works beautifully
- Great detail, color accuracy, and stabilization
Whether you’re into vlogging, photography, or social media content — this camera system is still highly relevant and recommended.
Pricing in Pakistan (2025)
Prices vary based on condition, battery health, and PTA approval status.
- Non-PTA JV (128GB, 100% battery health): Around PKR 85,000–90,000
- PTA Approved (128GB): Around PKR 130,000–140,000
Buying Tips Before You Finalize
- Check water resistance — it should be water pack, not opened & IP68 rated; otherwise, avoid exposing it to water.
- Inspect battery health — avoid phones with fake “boosted” battery percentages. target minimum 90% battery health.
- Use only original or high-quality 20W chargers — avoid cheap alternatives to preserve battery life.
Final Verdict: Still Worth It?
Absolutely. If you’re looking for a phone with excellent performance, great cameras, reliable battery, and a premium feel — all without spending flagship prices — the iPhone 13 is still a fantastic buy in 2025. Whether you’re a casual user, gamer, or content creator, the iPhone 13 delivers where it counts. Just make sure you check all the right boxes before purchasing.