Apple iPhone 16evsApple iPhone 13
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Apple iPhone 16e wins
Verdict
Apple iPhone 16e wins 4 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Apple iPhone 16e is the overall winner, 4 / 5 — camera is its standout. It costs USD 599 — USD 100 more than the Apple iPhone 13. Pay the premium if camera is your priority.
- Apple iPhone 16e takes Performance — led by ram (8 GB).
- Apple iPhone 16e takes Display — led by peak brightness (1,200 nits).
- Apple iPhone 16e takes Camera — led by camera score (136 pts).
- Apple iPhone 16e takes Battery — led by battery (4,005 mAh).
- Apple iPhone 13 takes Price — led by price (499 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,350,000 pts vs 800,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you want more apps open at once — 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 1,200 nits vs 800 nits.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you want better video quality — 90 pts vs 86 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you want a better camera — 136 pts vs 126 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you want longer battery life — 4,005 mAh vs 3,227 mAh.
Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want a sharper screen — 460 ppi vs 457 ppi.
- Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want a lower price — 499 USD vs 599 USD.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 16e
- Apple iPhone 13
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Apple iPhone 16e
Choose Apple iPhone 16e if camera matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 599.
Apple iPhone 13
Choose Apple iPhone 13 if price matters most. It costs USD 499, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 16e
- A18 chip
- Cheapest new iPhone
- Long software support
- 60 Hz display
- Single rear camera
- 20 W charging
Apple iPhone 13
- A15 is still fast
- Great dual cameras
- Long iOS support
- 60 Hz display
- Slow 20 W charging
- Lightning port