iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: is a used 13 Pro the smarter buy?
Everything that changed between the 13 Pro and the 17 Pro, what it costs to have it, and whether a QDN Certified 13 Pro with a 15-month warranty is the better deal.
The short answer
Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro new from $1,099. A QDN Certified 13 Pro costs a fraction of that when in stock. For that you give up a newer chip, Apple Intelligence and the bigger screen. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 13 Pro is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro.
iPhone 17 Pro
New from Apple and carriers
$1,099
Apple’s launch price. Not sold by QDN.
What actually differs
Only the rows where the two phones are not identical. A tick marks the side that wins the row.
The 17 Pro runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A15 Bionic. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
17 Pro wins
Only the 17 Pro supports Apple Intelligence (writing tools, notification summaries, the smarter Siri). If that matters to you, it settles the choice.
17 Pro wins
The 17 Pro has the bigger screen, 6.3″ against 6.1″. Bigger is better for video and reading; smaller is easier one-handed.
17 Pro wins
Cameras: the 13 Pro has 12 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.
17 Pro wins
The 17 Pro zooms to 4× optically; the 13 Pro stops at 3×. For concerts, sport and kids on a stage, the longer lens is the one you will use.
17 Pro wins
The 17 Pro adds the Camera Control button for opening the camera and adjusting exposure or zoom without touching the screen.
17 Pro wins
Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro at up to 33 hours of video playback against 22 for the 13 Pro. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
17 Pro wins
The 17 Pro charges over USB-C, the same cable as a MacBook or iPad; the 13 Pro still uses Lightning.
17 Pro wins
The 17 Pro has the Dynamic Island; the 13 Pro has the older notch.
17 Pro wins
The 17 Pro has the customisable Action button in place of the mute switch.
17 Pro wins
The 13 Pro has a stainless steel frame; the 17 Pro is aluminum.
Preference
The 17 Pro supports Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance via satellite; the 13 Pro predates that feature.
17 Pro wins
iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: full spec sheet
Apple’s published specifications. Highlighted rows differ.
- Released
- 20212025
- Display
- 6.1″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Notch6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island
- Chip
- A15 BionicA19 Pro
- RAM
- 6 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)12 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)
- Rear cameras
- 3: 12 MP main · 12 MP ultra wide · 12 MP telephoto3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 48 MP telephoto
- Optical zoom
- 3× telephoto4× telephoto
- Battery
- Up to 22 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)Up to 33 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)
- Charging port
- LightningUSB-C (USB 3)
- Frame
- Stainless steelAluminum
- Weight
- 203 g206 g
- 5G
- YesYes
- Satellite SOS
- NoYes
- Apple Intelligence
- NoYes
- Action button
- No (ring/silent switch)Yes
- Camera Control
- NoYes
- Apple launch price
- $999$1,099
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
| Display | 6.1″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Notch | 6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A15 Bionic | A19 Pro |
| RAM | 6 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) | 12 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) |
| Rear cameras | 3: 12 MP main · 12 MP ultra wide · 12 MP telephoto | 3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 48 MP telephoto |
| Optical zoom | 3× telephoto | 4× telephoto |
| Battery | Up to 22 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) | Up to 33 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) |
| Charging port | Lightning | USB-C (USB 3) |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Aluminum |
| Weight | 203 g | 206 g |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | No | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes |
| Action button | No (ring/silent switch) | Yes |
| Camera Control | No | Yes |
| Apple launch price | $999 | $1,099 |
iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: common questions
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro?
The 17 Pro runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A15 Bionic. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro worth the extra over the iPhone 13 Pro?
Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro new from $1,099. A QDN Certified 13 Pro costs a fraction of that when in stock. For that you give up a newer chip, Apple Intelligence and the bigger screen. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 13 Pro is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 13 Pro or the iPhone 17 Pro?
Cameras: the 13 Pro has 12 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.
Which has the better battery?
Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro at up to 33 hours of video playback against 22 for the 13 Pro. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
Do both support Apple Intelligence?
Only the iPhone 17 Pro does. Apple Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 16 or later.
Does QDN sell the iPhone 17 Pro?
Not yet. We sell QDN Certified pre-owned iPhones from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro appears here so you can see exactly what a used 13 Pro gives up against Apple's current line-up.
Related comparisons
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