Apple iPhone 13 Pro Graphite 256GB

The iPhone 13 Pro is a flagship camera and display wrapped in a battery that can't keep up. Buy it cheap, carry a charger, and you'll be happy.

The A15 Bionic still feels snappy in day-to-day use. Apps open fast, the 120Hz display makes scrolling feel buttery, and the 6GB of RAM handles multitasking without breaking a sweat. But the battery is the elephant in the room. At 3095mAh, it's small by today's standards, and our data puts it in the 32nd percentile. Expect to top up before the day is done if you're a heavy user. The camera setup is the real star here, 12MP main, ultrawide, and telephoto with 6x optical zoom and OIS. It's not the absolute best anymore, but it's still well above average.

Against the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the 13 Pro loses on battery, zoom range, and raw performance, but it costs a third of the price. The Google Pixel G4QUR has a better camera for stills, but the iPhone's video recording at 4K60 is still more reliable. The OnePlus 15 and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro are newer and have bigger batteries, but they don't have the iOS ecosystem or the long-term software support Apple offers. If you want the best camera for the money, the Pixel is tempting. If you want the best overall value, the 13 Pro at $310 is hard to beat.

This is where things get interesting. Prices range from $310 to $850 depending on condition and seller. At $310 for a Grade B or better unit, this is a steal. At $850, you're better off looking at newer phones. Newegg has the most listings and generally the best prices, but check the grade carefully. A Grade C unit at $310 might have visible wear that'll bug you every day.

The iPhone 13 Pro is the phone you buy when you want 90% of the modern flagship experience for a fraction of the price. It's got the A15 Bionic, a 120Hz ProMotion display, and a camera system that still holds its own against phones twice its price. The catch? Battery life is a real weak spot, and you're buying refurbished, so condition matters more than specs.

If you need all-day battery life or a telephoto that can reach past 6x zoom, this isn't your phone. Go get a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or a OnePlus 15 instead. And if you're not comfortable buying refurbished, the iPhone 15 or 16 are safer bets with USB-C and bigger batteries.

The iPhone 13 Pro is a smart buy if you find a clean unit under $500. The camera, display, and performance are still genuinely good, and iOS 15 with the A15 Bionic will keep getting updates for years. Just know that battery life is mediocre and you're buying refurbished, so inspect the condition carefully. For most people, this is the best iPhone value right now.