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The biggest difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 Plus is how they feel and fit into daily use: the 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch display and weighs 201 g, while the iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch display and weighs 174 g. The Plus also has a newer chip, a 48MP main camera, USB-C and a higher Apple-rated video-playback figure. Choose based on whether you prefer a compact phone or a larger screen and newer hardware; the historical launch-price gap is not a guide to what either model costs now.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 15 Plus: specifications at a glance
| Specification | iPhone 13 | iPhone 15 Plus | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR | The 15 Plus offers more screen area; the iPhone 13 is easier to handle as a smaller phone. |
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.65 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm | The 15 Plus is taller and wider. |
| Weight | 174 g | 201 g | The 15 Plus is 27 g heavier. |
| Chip | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic | The 15 Plus has the newer chip generation; these specifications alone do not establish how much faster it is in everyday use. |
| Rear cameras | Dual 12MP main and ultra-wide | 48MP main and 12MP ultra-wide | The 15 Plus has a higher-resolution main-camera sensor specification, but megapixels alone do not establish image quality. |
| Apple-rated video playback | Up to 19 hours | Up to 26 hours | Apple’s stated maximum is higher for the 15 Plus; actual battery life varies with use. |
| Charging connector | Lightning | USB-C | Cables and accessories may not be interchangeable. |
| Water-resistance rating | IP68, up to 6 m for up to 30 minutes under IEC 60529 | IP68, up to 6 m for up to 30 minutes under IEC 60529 | The stated rating is the same for both; it is not a guarantee against liquid damage. |
Specifications are from Apple’s iPhone comparison page. Battery figures are manufacturer ratings, not independent real-world test results.
How much bigger is the iPhone 15 Plus?
The 15 Plus adds 0.6 inches of display diagonal and 27 g of weight compared with the iPhone 13. It is also 14.2 mm taller and 6.3 mm wider. That gives you more screen space for reading, video and apps, but it also makes the phone larger to hold and carry. The iPhone 13 is the more compact option if pocketability or one-handed handling matters more than screen area.
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Video playback rating
Apple rates the iPhone 15 Plus for up to 26 hours of video playback and the iPhone 13 for up to 19 hours. These are Apple’s published ratings, not a promise of the same runtime for every person: usage and conditions affect battery life.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Processor
The iPhone 13 uses the A15 Bionic chip; the iPhone 15 Plus uses A16 Bionic. The 15 Plus therefore has the newer-generation chip, but the specifications available here do not include independent benchmark or real-world speed testing. Treat the generation difference as a hardware distinction, not a measured performance claim.
Rear cameras
Both models have a dual rear-camera system. The iPhone 13 pairs a 12MP main camera with a 12MP ultra-wide camera; the 15 Plus pairs a 48MP main camera with a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The higher megapixel count is a camera-hardware difference, not proof by itself that every photo will look better.
Rank #2
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Lightning or USB-C: what changes?
The iPhone 13 uses Apple’s Lightning connector, while the iPhone 15 Plus uses USB-C. If you already own charging cables or wired accessories, check which connector they require before switching. The two phones do not use the same connector, so a cable that plugs directly into one may not plug directly into the other.
How much did each phone cost at launch?
| Model and configuration | U.S. launch price | Price context |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13, 128GB | $799 | Apple’s September 2021 announcement listed this price before trade-in; it included a $30 carrier instant discount that required carrier activation. |
| iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB | $899 | Apple’s September 2023 U.S. launch starting price; Apple also listed 256GB and 512GB configurations. |
The $100 difference compares U.S. launch prices from different years, not current prices. Apple’s iPhone 13 announcement gives the 2021 price and carrier-discount condition; its iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus announcement gives the 2023 starting price and capacities. Neither figure establishes today’s price. Current costs depend on market, retailer, storage, trade-in, condition and stock.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Rank #4
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 13 if you want a smaller, lighter phone and prefer its 6.1-inch display and Lightning setup.
- Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if you want a 6.7-inch display, Apple’s higher stated video-playback rating, USB-C, the newer chip generation and a 48MP main-camera specification.
- Compare the actual listings before buying: check the price, storage, condition and seller for the specific phone. The launch-price figures above are historical and do not establish current value.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
