Benchmarks show big performance gains for iPhone 13

September 16, 2021

There's been a lot of complaining that the new iPhone 13 models are mere "S" year upgrades and are not worthy of a new model number.

There's some truth to that. The new phones have the same form factor. And improvements in the chip, screen and cameras might be written off as largely incremental by casual observers.

But the fact is, Apple made big improvements in the things most consumers care about -- speed, battery life, screen and cameras.

The new handsets promise significantly better battery life, and the new 120Hz screens on the Pro models will likely look much better, even to the naked eye.

The camera improvements are smaller (new macro mode, for example), but check out some early benchmarks. They show that, despite similarities between the older A14 Bionic chip and the A15 in this year's models, the newer chip proves significantly faster in key areas.

That's great news for running demanding apps and games, and also for longevity. Super-speedy chips are better able to keep up with the ever-increasing demands of modern software.

I'll definitely be upgrading, and not just because it's my job. Like everyone else, I want the extra battery life, faster chip and smoother screen.

What about you?

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

iPhone 13’s new A15 Bionic chip brings big performance improvements over its predecessor, early benchmarks reveal. Users can expect huge gains in graphics power, in particular, as well as noticeable gains in CPU performance.

iPhone 11 preorders start this Friday. Get your Apple iPhone Upgrade Program preapproved now if you want to order on time.

Preordering iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro tomorrow? Apple now gives you new ways to shop for its newest devices. Take advantage of additional pickup, payment and delivery options, as well as carrier offers at Apple Retail stores.

Soon there’ll be a fresh crop of new emoji that let you show you are melting, have a low battery or are feeling ambivalent or teary-eyed.

Pick up a brand-new pair of AirPods Pro on Amazon today for just $179.99 — a full $69.01 off the usual retail price.

Twelve South adds a new chapter to the story of its leather iPhone case, cracking open a MagSafe version of the book-style case and wallet for iPhone 13.

With the new iPhone 13 series on the way, Nomad introduced a new line of cases for the handsets tricked out with NFC chips to enable storing and sharing information with a tap.

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One more thing ...

"I think the same philosophy that drives the product has to drive everything else if you want to have a great company. Manufacturing, for example, ... demands just as much thought and strategy as the product. If you don't pay attention to your manufacturing, it will limit the kind of product you can build and engineer. Some companies view manufacturing as a necessary evil, and some view it as something more neutral. But we view it instead as a tremendous opportunity to gain a competitive advantage. [I've thought that] ever since I visited Japan in the early '80s. And let me add that the same is true of sales and marketing. You need a sales and marketing organization that is oriented toward educating customers rather than just taking orders, providing a real service rather than moving boxes. This is extremely important." -- Steve Jobs

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