The Annual Next-Generation iPhone

Josh Hayes, Print Staff

Joseph Cortina (12) Unboxes his new graphite iPhone 13 Pro Max. This year, Apple opted to not wrap the box in plastic, saving 600 metric tons of plastic.

  Apple launched the highly anticipated iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro range on Sept. 24th. At first glance, they appear to be very similar to last year’s iPhone 12 models. However, this year most of the changes are internal. The overall design resembles the iPhone 12’s, with the dual camera set up on the back and flat edges. There are few changes to the design which includes a smaller notch, a base storage capacity of 128 GB, an 800 nits super retina XDR display (or up to 1200 nits for HDR content), a 120 HZ display on the Pro models and the dual camera setup is slightly larger on the two base models. The larger changes this year are mostly under the hood.
  Apple claims the new lithium-ion battery will provide 19 hours of video playback on the base iPhone 13 and up to 22 hours on the 13 Pro. The new A15 processor is said to be the most powerful chip in a smartphone, with 50% faster CPU than the competition. 

   Further improvements have been made to the camera system. A new feature, called Cinematic Mode, has been implemented, allowing the iPhone 13’s camera to mimic storytelling techniques found in films. Cinematic Mode makes use of Dolby Vision HDR: an imaging technology that brings extraordinary colors, contrast, and brightness to the display. Apple has also added sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a feature originally seen on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. According to them, the 13’s new sensor will capture 47% more light than the 12. 

   The iPhone 13 line up launched alongside iOS 15, the new software update bringing new features to older iPhones. iOS 15 is designed to take advantage of the iPhone 13’s new hardware upgrades, while adding software features such as FaceTime with non-Apple devices via a link, SharePlay, new options to help you focus, a redesign to notifications, an improved GPS/Maps app, the option to add your driver’s license or ID to the Wallet app in certain states and many more. 

   The iPhone 13 Mini retails at a starting price of $699, and the standard iPhone 13 starts at $799. As for the premium models, the iPhone 13 Pro begins at $999. Lastly, the iPhone 13 Pro Max tops off the range at $1,099.