Apple iPhone 13
By Muhammad Tahir · Updated June 2026 · how we review
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until September 2028 · Buy-by September 2026
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~7-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 13 should be supported until around September 2028. Buying it today still gets you about 2.2 years of safe use, and Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years (verified June 2026).
Source: endoflife.date (community-tracked) · last verified 2026-06-10 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
50% above the under-$300 median ($6.38/mo, dying phones excluded)
Is the iPhone 13 worth buying in 2026?
With caution — only 25 months of updates are left ($9.60/month of safe use). Fine as a short-term or budget pick, risky as a long-term keeper.
Our verdict
Around $249 refurbished, the iPhone 13 is one of the cheapest ways into iOS in 2026 — but the clock is the real story here, with only about two years of estimated updates left rather than five.
Pros
- Very low cost of entry on the used and refurbished market (~$249 against its $799 launch price)
- Still runs the latest version of iOS in 2026
- Dual 12MP cameras with sensor-shift OIS and an ultra-wide lens the iPhone 16e doesn't have
- MagSafe 15W wireless charging plus 20W wired (about 50% in 30 minutes)
- IP68 build and aluminium frame that have aged well, and it still holds resale value
Cons
- Estimated support ends around September 2028 — the safe buy-by window is closing
- Lightning port instead of USB-C, so its accessories are a dead end
- A15 Bionic and 4GB of RAM mean no Apple Intelligence and a phone that feels slower as apps grow
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz |
|---|
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic |
|---|---|
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP — sensor-shift OIS |
|---|---|
| ultra-wide | 12MP |
| front | 12MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,240 mAh |
|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.65 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 174 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 15 at launch — currently runs the latest iOS |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Lightning |
| Update policy | ~7 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 13 still supported in 2026, and for how long?
Yes — it still runs the latest iOS in 2026. It launched in September 2021, so on Apple's typical seven-year pattern we estimate updates ending around September 2028; Apple's written five-year minimum has already been met (September 2026). Treat the 2028 figure as an informed estimate, not a promise.
Should I buy the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 16e?
The 16e costs more but is the smarter long-term buy: it adds years of extra update runway into 2032, an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence, and USB-C. Choose the iPhone 13 only if the low refurbished price is the deciding factor and you plan to keep it a couple of years at most.
Does the iPhone 13 get Apple Intelligence?
No. Its A15 Bionic chip doesn't meet the hardware requirement, so none of Apple's newer AI features run on it. If those matter to you, you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, or the iPhone 16e.
Is the iPhone 13 worth buying in 2026?
Only refurbished and only cheap. At about $249 with roughly two years of updates left, that's near $10 a month of safe use — fine for a budget or backup phone. Paying much above $300 makes little sense when the iPhone 16e's far longer runway costs less per month of ownership.
Does the iPhone 13 have USB-C?
No — it uses Apple's older Lightning connector. Apple didn't move iPhones to USB-C until the iPhone 15 in 2023, so you'll be carrying Lightning cables for as long as you own this one.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-10.