PhoneLifespan

iPhone 16 Plus vs 13 Ultra

vs

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 16 Plus is supported until Sep 2031 at $10.28 per month of safe use, while the 13 Ultra runs out in Apr 2028 ($29.32/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 16 Plus 64 · 13 Ultra 62 methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus $650
Safe to buy$10.28/mo
2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031
Xiaomi 13 Ultra $650
Buy with care$29.32/mo
2023◆ Buy-by Apr 20262028

Category by category

Display
iPhone 16 Plus 5013 Ultra 90

The 13 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.73-inch ltpo amoled, 3200 x 1440, 120hz.

Performance
iPhone 16 Plus 9213 Ultra 85

The iPhone 16 Plus's Apple A18 is simply the faster chip.

Camera
iPhone 16 Plus 6213 Ultra 91

The 13 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery
iPhone 16 Plus 7313 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 4,674mAh — the 13 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity
iPhone 16 Plus 7513 Ultra 26

The iPhone 16 Plus is supported until Sep 2031 — 41 months longer than the 13 Ultra.

Value
iPhone 16 Plus 6413 Ultra 62

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 16 Plus13 Ultra
Price (street)$650$650
Display6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED, 3200 x 1440, 120Hz
ChipsetApple A18Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM8GB12GB/16GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery4,674 mAh5,000 mAh
ChargingWired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; up to 25W MagSafe with 30W adapter90W wired, 50W wireless
Rear cameras48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto 3.2x, 50MP periscope telephoto 5x
Dimensions160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm163.2 × 74.6 × 9.1 mm
Weight199 g227 g
Water resistanceIP68IP68
Supported untilSep 2031Apr 2028

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.