The best iPhone 13 deals for December 2024
Let's save you some cash with this week's iPhone 13 deals
Apple iPhone 13 deals are still available and a fantastic choice if you don't mind skipping over the latest devices in favor of a bargain. While the device is officially discontinued now, it's still knocking around at a select few retailers - and refurbished options are also widely available at Apple itself. In short, if you don't mind skipping out the latest devices, then it's well worth considering these still-excellent devices.
iPhone 13:
1. This week's best deals
2. Mini-review
3. FAQ
The iPhone 13 originally came at an introductory price of $799 at the time of its release in September 2021, but it's commonly found at $399 or less thanks to the subsequent released of the Apple iPhone 16, iPhone 15 and iPhone 14.
On the surface, it's strikingly similar to 2020's iPhone 12 with the same 'squared-off' edges and a somewhat blocky aesthetic. That said, there are a number of high-end internal improvements that still hold up pretty well among even more modern devices.
First up is the inclusion of the Apple A15 Bionic chip; a hefty processor that's still enough for quick performance on the usual daily apps. 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 more modern components under the hood.
If you want to see this week's recommendations for later models, head on over to our main iPhone deals page for an all-in-one comparison.
Apple iPhone 16 deals
The latest iPhone 16 series is now available and we've launched a standalone page for our recommended promotions on these outstanding flagships. Alongside several of the usual trade-in rebates, you'll also find superb deals at prepaid carriers so don't hesitate to check-in and see what we've got this week.
iPhone 13 deals
Apple iPhone 13 Pro (refurbished): $1,399 $1,019 at Apple
The Apple iPhone 13 series is officially discontinued at the Apple Store but you can still get a nice little discount on a certified refurbished Pro device. Right now, for example, the 1TB iPhone 13 Pro is a full $380 off at the retailer and you're guaranteed to get a working device with full warranty.
Apple iPhone 13 (refurbished): starting at $350 at Back Market
The best source for refurb (and discounted) iPhone 13 deals in general is Back Market. This site not only has a wide range of stock at great prices but you'll also get one full year of warranty and a device that's guaranteed to work by professionals. These devices are also fully unlocked so they should work with any carrier.
Apple iPhone 13 (unlocked): $799 $549, plus up to $230 off with trade at Best Buy
Best Buy has a rare example of an upfront discount on an unlocked iPhone this week - something you almost never see. Granted, it's a $50 saving versus the usual retail price for the iPhone 13 but you can bundle up this discount alongside a trade-in rebate of up to $230 off currently for an even cheaper unlocked device. Overall, a pretty strong deal that's worth checking out if you're buying a device upfront.
Apple iPhone 13: free with a new line at Verizon
This week's iPhone 13 deals at Verizon are giving the device away for free alongside a new unlimited data line - a superb promotion that doesn't need the usual trade-in to be eligible. This is a decent deal, but it's slightly overshadowed by the fact you can also get the newer iPhone 14 Plus or iPhone 15 for free under similar terms. The devil is in the detail here, however, as some of the newer devices specifically require you to be on one of the pricier unlimited plans to be eligible, whereas the criteria needed for the iPhone 13 deal are a little easier on the pocket.
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
At first glance, 2021's Apple flagship the iPhone 13 looks rather similar to its direct predecessor - the iPhone 12. All the iPhone 13 series (and 14 series) rock the same 'squared' off aesthetic as the 12-series from 2022 as well as the introductory price of $799, which is where Apple has generally settled at for its flagships,
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 versus the iPhone 12 and a newly reduced retail price of $699 makes it a very tempting option indeed. Even when paired up against the newer iPhone 14, it essentially features the same chip, screen, and overall design, which makes it a great buy in context. You'll have to do without improvements to the battery, camera, and a new satellite SOS system, however.
iPhone 13 deals: frequently asked questions
Should I go for the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 14?
Tough question, and one that depends solely on your eligibility for the above deals in our opinion. Are you sitting on an iPhone 12 that's due for an upgrade? Depending on the carrier you may be able to get a big trade-in rebate on the iPhone 14, in which case it obviously makes more sense to simply pick up the latest device.
Where things get murkier is with buying the device outright, or if you're going for a non-trade-in promotion at one of the big carriers. Now the iPhone 13 is $200 cheaper across the board and available with a more flexible array of promotions, it's a tempting option for those looking to save a bit of cash.
In this case, we'd recommend comparing the specs and features of each device and deciding whether the upgrade is worth it to you. In regards to power, screen, and overall design both devices are roughly equivalent. Where the iPhone 14 pulls ahead is with an upgraded camera and better battery life. If those are important to you, then it may be worth ponying up the extra $100 to get the later device.
- Alternatively, See the best cell phone deals available this week for Android devices
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Alex is TechRadar's deals editor, specializing in getting our readers the bang bang for the buck on the tech that we know and love. He's a dab hand at covering retailer events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day having over seven years of e-commerce experience at Future PLC; including bylines at our sister sites T3 and GamesRadar. Alex's expertise touches on most areas of TechRadar but he has a particular love for phones, laptops, and cameras, being an avid photographer. Outside of work, you'll find him indulging his love for street and travel photography, at home working on music, or down at the local climbing gym.