- Faster A16 Bionic chip for smoother performance and longevity
- Dynamic Island replaces the notch with interactive notifications
- Always-On display shows time and widgets without waking the phone
- 48MP main camera captures far more detail and flexibility in post-editing
- 2000 nits peak brightness versus 1200 nits on the 13 Pro
- Improved Cinematic mode with 4K resolution
- Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite
- Starting around $383 refurbished, a modest premium for meaningful upgrades
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: What are the differences?
Let’s see all the differences between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro.
Display
Both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro feature stunning 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR displays with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth 120Hz ProMotion technology for fluid scrolling and responsiveness. However, the iPhone 14 Pro introduces a few key enhancements that elevate the viewing experience.
- Always-On display: One of the standout features of the iPhone 14 Pro is its Always-On display. This means that even when your phone is locked, the screen remains dimly lit, showing the time, widgets, and notifications at a glance. It’s a convenient way to stay informed without having to fully wake your device.
- Peak brightness: While both models offer excellent brightness for everyday use, the iPhone 14 Pro takes it a step further with a significantly higher peak brightness of 2000 nits compared to the iPhone 13 Pro’s 1200 nits. This makes a noticeable difference in direct sunlight, ensuring that your screen remains visible and vibrant even in challenging lighting conditions.
- Dynamic Island: The iPhone 14 Pro replaces the traditional notch with a pill-shaped cutout called the Dynamic Island. This cleverly integrates with the software to display alerts, notifications, and other information in a more interactive and engaging way. It’s a unique design element that sets the iPhone 14 Pro apart.
Dynamic Island
Design
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro look similar, sporting the same premium stainless steel frame and sleek flat-edge design.
While both models use high-quality materials, the iPhone 14 Pro offers a slightly wider range of color options, including the striking Deep Purple and the classic Space Black. These new additions offer more choices for personalizing your device.
In terms of dimensions and weight, both models are nearly identical, with the iPhone 14 Pro being just a fraction of a millimeter thicker and a couple of grams heavier, unnoticeable in everyday use.
Cameras
The iPhone 13 Pro already has an impressive camera system, but the iPhone 14 Pro offers significant upgrades across the board.
- Main camera: The most notable improvement lies in the main camera, which now features a 48MP sensor compared to the 12MP sensor on the iPhone 13 Pro. This higher resolution allows for greater detail, sharper images, and more flexibility in post-processing. The iPhone 14 Pro also introduces a new 2x telephoto option for greater versatility in framing your shots.
- Low-light performance: Thanks to a combination of the larger sensor, wider aperture, and Apple’s advanced image processing algorithms (Photonic Engine), the iPhone 14 Pro delivers significantly better low-light performance. Photos taken in dim lighting conditions are brighter, clearer, and less noisy than those captured by the iPhone 13 Pro.
- Video capabilities: Both models offer excellent video capabilities, including Cinematic mode for stunning depth-of-field effects. However, the iPhone 14 Pro takes it a step further with support for 4K Cinematic mode, allowing for even higher-quality video capture. Additionally, the new Action Mode provides gimbal-like stabilization for smooth video recording even in challenging conditions.
Check out this camera comparison video by CNET to learn more. It includes examples of the Cinematic mode, Action mode, and photography in low-light conditions.
The iPhone 14 Pro is powered by Apple’s latest A16 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 13 Pro runs on the still-impressive A15 Bionic. In day-to-day use, both phones feel incredibly fast and responsive, handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking with ease.
However, the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 14 Pro does offer a modest performance improvement over its predecessor. This translates to slightly faster app launches, smoother animations, and better handling of resource-intensive workloads. While the difference may not be immediately noticeable for casual users, power users and gamers will appreciate the extra speed and responsiveness.
Learn more: Best AI apps for your iPhone
Battery life
While the iPhone 14 Pro boasts a slightly larger battery than its predecessor (3200mAh vs. 3095mAh), the difference in real-world usage is not as significant as one might expect. This is largely due to the power efficiency of the A16 Bionic chip, which allows the iPhone 14 Pro to squeeze more out of its battery despite its increased performance capabilities.
In practice, both phones should comfortably last a full day of moderate to heavy use, with the iPhone 14 Pro potentially edging out the iPhone 13 Pro in some scenarios, particularly when taking advantage of its Always-On display and higher peak brightness. However, individual battery life will vary depending on usage patterns, screen brightness settings, and other factors.
Conclusion
The iPhone 14 Pro offers compelling upgrades over the iPhone 13 Pro: a faster A16 Bionic chip, a 48MP camera, Dynamic Island, and an Always-On display. At roughly $383 refurbished, it commands a small premium over the 13 Pro’s $312 starting price (as of July 2026). Both phones run iOS 27, released on September 14, 2026, so software support is not a differentiator today.
If you want the best camera system available at this price point and plan to keep the phone for several years, the iPhone 14 Pro is the better long-term investment; our guide to whether the iPhone 14 Pro is worth buying refurbished covers current prices by storage and grade. If you want maximum value for money and are happy with a 12MP triple-camera setup that still handles everyday photography well, the iPhone 13 Pro delivers an excellent experience at a lower price.
Either way, buying refurbished is the smart move. RefurbMe lets you compare certified listings from trusted merchants side by side, with clear condition grades and warranty details, so you can find the best deal without the guesswork.
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