If you're on the hunt for the latest Apple flagship, let us help save you some cash with our weekly roundup of the best iPhone 13 deals. We've found what we think, in our opinion, are the top choices right now from the big carriers - and a few smaller ones too. While it's not exactly a cheap device, you'd be surprised at just how much you can save with this week's iPhone 13 deals - even without a trade in.
iPhone 13:
1. This week's best deals
2. Mini-review
3. FAQ
The iPhone 13 (opens in new tab) comes in at an introductory price of $799 - exactly the same as last year's iPhone 12 and looks to directly replace it as the new 'standard' flagship device from Apple. On the surface, it's strikingly similar to last year's iteration with the same fetching 'squared-off' edges and somewhat blocky aesthetic. That said, there's a number of high-end internal improvements that look to justify that fairly high introductory asking price.
First up is the inclusion of the latest Apple A15 Bionic chip; a hefty processor that's easily the most powerful yet from the Cupertino giant. Screen, battery, and a number of camera improvements also mean you're not simply getting a carbon copy of the iPhone 12 here - it's quite simply a refinement of an already outstanding device with plenty more power under the hood.
That said, the lower $599 asking price of the iPhone 12 is going to offer a very, very compelling alternative for those who want to forgo a few bells and whistles to save some cash. If you already have an iPhone 12 or 11, it's definitely worth the upgrade, however - especially since this week's iPhone 13 deals are especially good if you're willing to trade in one of these slightly older devices. Just below you can see our top picks for the initial launch of this device, alongside a much more detailed breakdown of this device's specs and a handy mini-review.
- Check out this week's iPhone deals (opens in new tab) for deals on the older devices
- Also available to preorder: iPhone 13 Pro deals, iPhone 13 Pro Max deals, and iPhone 13 mini deals
iPhone 13 deals
iPhone 13 deals: what you need to know
OS: iOS 15 | Screen size: 6.1-inch Retina XDR (60Hz)| Resolution: 2532 x 1170 | CPU: Apple A15 | Memory: N/A | Weight: 174g |Storage: 128 / 256 / 512GB | Battery: N/A | Rear camera: 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide| Front camera: 12MP
So, it's here - the new iPhone 13. At first glance, it looks rather like the iPhone 12 doesn't it? Indeed, all the latest 2021 flagships from Apple rock that same 'squared' off aesthetic as the 12-series devices from 2020. That's not all either, the latest iPhone 13 is also retailing at an introductory price of $799 - exactly the same as last year's model.
That's where the similarities end, though. Key new features include an upgraded OLED display with up to 28% improved peak brightness, plus A15 Bionic processor - a chip that Apple claims has up to 50% faster performance than any competitor. Take that Samsung.
You'll also find a brand new diagonal rear camera system with an upgraded sensor and image stabilization on the iPhone 13. Supporting these improvements is a new 'Cinematic mode' for video capture - a very nifty little piece of software that uses computation for automatic and easy focus shifting.
A slightly less glamorous, but always welcome upgrade is in the iPhone 13's battery life. Not only does it have a bigger capacity now, but improvements via the new 'smart data' mode enable more efficient usage overall.
Overall, the iPhone 13 does have some very beefy upgrades under the hood. That said, the new $599 retail price for the iPhone 12 also makes it a very attractive (and still 5G compatible) alternative to this latest flagship if you're on a budget.
iPhone 13 deals: frequently asked questions
How good are these iPhone 13 deals really?
In short, they're great - quite possibly the best iPhone deals we've seen at launch for a few years in fact. The multiple upgrade options at all the major carriers this year are particularly competitive and definitely better than those we saw on the iPhone 12 last year.
While it's not rare to see free iPhones being handed out to new customers at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and other carriers, it's fairly rare for there to be decent upgrades and BOGO deals for existing customers. That said, there's no way around the expensive unlimited data plans here - even if you get a free device you'll still be paying anywhere from $60 to $80 per month on average for a single line user. Lasting anywhere between 24 to 36 months, these plans are a significant (often over $2,000 in total) investment, so be prepared for these costs if you're going with a bigger carrier.
If you're looking to save on those big unlimited plan costs, then we'd absolutely recommend getting an unlocked iPhone from Apple itself and pairing it with one of the best prepaid plans. Smaller carriers like Visible and Xfinity Mobile also sell devices directly from their sites and offer very competitive monthly plans.
Should I upgrade to the iPhone 13?
This year might just be the trickiest one so far in regards to determining whether it's worth the upgrade. The iPhone 13 isn't a big step up from the 12, but this year's upgrade deals are good enough to make even the most jaded of Apple fans sit up and take notice.
If you already have an iPhone 12 and think you can make do for another year without upgrading, then sitting this one out is definitely a viable option. The basic design is the same, your device is still plenty powerful for 2022, and you'll only forgo a better battery life and screen. That said, if your iPhone 12 is eligible for a lucrative carrier trade-in then it's definitely worth investigating a 'free' upgrade - especially if you're deadset on sticking with a big carrier and don't mind renewing your line.
Where things get less nuanced, in our opinion, is for Apple fans still using older hardware such as the iPhone 11 or older. For these users, even those with unlocked devices, this year's iPhone 13 deals offer really great trade-in rates on even devices showing their age now. They are far, far better than last year's offerings so it's definitely a great time to consider making the jump to a 5G flagship.
- Alternatively, See the best cell phone deals (opens in new tab) available this week for Android devices
