iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 14 — is it worth paying extra?
The iPhone 14 is really worth it mainly for Crash Detection and Emergency SOS. Otherwise the hardware is almost identical to the iPhone 13 (same A15, same display, similar battery). The premium (see current amount in the offer) goes towards safety features — it makes sense for drivers and outdoor users, but for everyday use stick with the 13.
The iPhone 14 is really worth it mainly for Crash Detection and Emergency SOS. Otherwise the hardware is almost identical to the iPhone 13 (same A15, same display, similar battery). The premium (see current amount in the offer) goes towards safety features — it makes sense for drivers and outdoor users, but for everyday use stick with the 13.
In this article
- Same design, similar heart
- Same chip, higher GPU performance
- Key extras the iPhone 14 adds:
- What stayed the same
- Pre-owned price comparison
- What makes the iPhone 14 Plus interesting
- Choose the iPhone 13 if:
- Choose the iPhone 14 if:
- Verdict
Same design, similar heart
Place the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 side by side and you'll barely spot a difference. Both have a 6.1" OLED display, an aluminium frame, a dual rear camera and identical dimensions. Apple deliberately avoided a revolution with the iPhone 14 — the focus was on improvements underneath the surface.
Same chip, higher GPU performance
Perhaps surprisingly: the iPhone 14 got the A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU — the same chip as the iPhone 13 Pro. The standard iPhone 13 has the A15 with a 4-core GPU. In practice this means roughly 15% higher graphics performance on the iPhone 14, most noticeable in games.
Key extras the iPhone 14 adds:
- Emergency SOS via satellite — the ability to call for help even without mobile signal.
- Crash Detection — automatically calls emergency services in a car accident.
- Improved main sensor with a larger pixel (1.9 µm) — better low-light photos.
- Photonic Engine — more advanced image processing even on the base model.
- Action Mode for video stabilisation while moving.
What stayed the same
Both models have a Lightning port (USB-C only arrived with the iPhone 15), a 60 Hz display (ProMotion 120 Hz remains a Pro-only feature), the same battery life (about 19 hours of video playback) and the same 15W MagSafe charging.
Pre-owned price comparison
| Model | Pre-owned price from |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | from 8,990 Kč |
| iPhone 13 mini | from 8,990 Kč |
| iPhone 13 Pro | — |
| iPhone 14 | from 9,490 Kč |
| iPhone 14 Plus | from 10,490 Kč |
| iPhone 14 Pro | from 12,490 Kč |
What makes the iPhone 14 Plus interesting
The iPhone 14 introduced a new size — the iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7" display (like the Pro Max), but at a significantly lower price. If you want a big screen and don't need ProMotion or a telephoto lens, the 14 Plus is a great choice. There's no iPhone 13 Plus — instead there was the iPhone 13 mini (5.4").
Choose the iPhone 13 if:
- You want to save as much as possible (see the current difference in the offer below).
- You don't need satellite SOS or Crash Detection.
- You're after a mini variant (5.4") — the 14 Plus only comes in a large size.
Choose the iPhone 14 if:
- You often shoot in poor lighting conditions.
- You play more demanding mobile games.
- You value safety features (SOS, Crash Detection).
- You want a large 6.7" display at a reasonable price (14 Plus).
Verdict
The price gap between the iPhone 13 and 14 in pre-owned condition is rather symbolic. If you want a slightly more powerful GPU, better photos and safety features, the iPhone 14 is worth it. If you're after a mini variant or the lowest possible price, the iPhone 13 remains a great choice.