iPhone 13 release: Apple reveals new features

During the September 2021 Apple event, the tech company introduced its latest lineup, including Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Fitness+, iPad, iPad mini and, of course, the iPhone 13. As with the iPhone 12, there are four models in the iPhone 13 release: the iPhone 13; iPhone 13 mini; iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Camera improvements, durability, speed and battery life are some of the major enhancements Apple is promoting with the iPhone 13 release. The phones are powered by an A15 Bionic computer processing unit (CPU), designed to provide 50% more speed and 30% more graphics than other phones — and the CPU is even more powerful in the pro models. Check out the details in this lineup if you are considering an upgrade. 

Apple iPhone 13 Release: iPhone 13 And iPhone 13 Mini

Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini feature a sleek, durable design. The phones have a new dual-camera system capable of capturing better photos and videos in low light as well as a new cinematic mode.

You can preview the iPhone 13 in this clip from Apple’s YouTube channel.

The 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 13 and the 5.4-inch display of the mini both feature an exclusive Ceramic Shield, which is tougher than any smartphone glass. They are splash-, water- and dust-resistant, have improved Super Retina XDR OLED displays, and have a noticeably longer battery life. The iPhone 13 battery lasts up to two and a half hours longer than iPhone 12 (the iPhone 13 mini can last up to 90 minutes more in a day than iPhone 12 mini).

There are five colors available:

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the iPhone 13 release is the camera. The phone features the most advanced dual-camera system by Apple to date. Advancements include a new ultra-wide camera that captures 47% more light for clearer details and sensor-shift optical image stabilization (introduced in the iPhone 12 Pro Max) that keeps shots steady.

“Our customers rely on iPhone every day, which is why we’ve made iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini more powerful, more capable and more fun to use,” Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak said in a news release. “Both phones have beautiful designs, industry-leading performance, and advanced camera systems with impressive computational photography features, all with incredible durability, water resistance, and a big jump in battery life to ensure customers can depend on their iPhone when they need it. All of this, tightly integrated with iOS 15 and with privacy built in, make iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini an unbeatable choice.”

Apple iPhone 13 Release: iPhone 13 Pro And iPhone 13 Pro Max

Like the other models in the iPhone 13 release, the Pro and Pro Max phones feature Ceramic Shield, all-day battery life and resistance to splashing, water and dust.

Both Pro models are available in four colors:

  • Graphite
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Sierra Blue (new)

The colored options are created using multiple layers of nanometer-scale metallic ceramics applied across the surface, producing an attractive yet durable finish.

Apple Newsroom

But it’s the camera that makes the iPhone 13 Pro deserving of recognition. The 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 13 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max offer the most advanced ones ever on iPhone. Super Retina XDR with ProMotion supports a refresh rate that adapts from 10Hz to 120Hz, providing fast frame rates when needed, but preserving battery life otherwise.

The new telephoto camera has 3x optical zoom. Users can capture, edit and deliver in ProRes, which is the same format used in the entertainment industry. Cinematic Mode provides stunning depth-of-field transitions, macro video, time-lapse, slo-mo, and improved low-light performance.

“iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max make up our most pro iPhone lineup ever with the biggest advancement for our camera system, the best battery life ever in an iPhone, and the fastest performance of any smartphone, setting a new standard for iPhone and enabling incredible experiences never before possible,” Joswiak said in a statement,

The iPhone 13 will be available for pre-order starting at 5:00 a.m. PDT on Sept. 17 and will be in stock for purchase starting on Sept. 24.

About the Author

Tricia Goss

Tricia is a professional writer and editor who lives in North Texas with her family and one smelly dog. She is a wannabe problem solver, junk food maven professional coffee practitioner, web guru and general communicator. More.

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