TL;DR: Should You Buy A 5-Year-Old iPhone?
The iPhone 13 was released five years ago and it is still perfectly functional today. I used one up until earlier this year, and it was fine.
The only issue is the limited amount of support left; you’re looking at 1 or 2 more iOS updates before it reaches its end of life.
- For this reason, a base model iPhone 15 or even something like the iPhone 16e is probably a better buy from a value for money perspective.
- Both phones will get iOS support well into the 2030s and both can be had for way less than a new iPhone 17 base model.
My advice? Go with the iPhone 13 if you’re on a tight budget only. If you have more wriggle room with how much you’re looking to spend, go with the iPhone 15. You’ll get way more return on your investment and a much better phone to boot.
What Does “5 Years Old” Actually Mean for an iPhone?
“5 years old” sounds ancient in tech years. But iPhones age very differently from most smartphones, and that’s the whole point.
Apple designs its chips and software in-house, so the A15 Bionic inside the iPhone 13 is still fairly rapid in 2026. Scrolling feels smooth. Apps load fast. The chip handles multitasking, gaming, and even some light video editing without so much as flinching.
As of 2026, it runs iOS 26 and is expected to receive iOS 27 when it drops later this year.
That’s five years of updates already delivered, with at least one more on the way. Compare that to most Android flagships from the same era, and it’s not even close.
📱 Did You Know? Apple’s A-series chips are routinely benchmarked against chips released two or three years later — and they still trade blows. The A15 Bionic in the iPhone 13 was also used in the iPhone 14 base model, which tells you everything about how much headroom this chip still has.
Software Support: How Long Will It Keep Getting Updates?
This is the question that actually matters, and it’s where Apple’s update longevity pulls way ahead of the competition.
Apple typically supports iPhones for 6–7 years from release. The iPhone 13 launched in September 2021, which puts its support window running into 2027 or 2028, so there are a couple of more years left in the tank.
iOS updates matter because they deliver security patches that keep your banking apps, passwords, and personal data protected.
Buying a phone that’s already lost software support is a hard avoid. The iPhone 13 is approaching that zone which is why it is so affordable. For price, it’s great. But for longevity (which means not having to buy another phone for several years), you’re going to be better off with an iPhone 15.
What About the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 12 launched in October 2020, so it’s pushing closer to six years old now. It’s still supported, but it’s approaching end-of-life territory and sits at our editorial floor for recommendations.
If budget is the priority, it’s not a disaster but the iPhone 13 is better but not buy much; you’ll get an extra 12 months or so but that’s literally it.
Use our handy refurbished phone deals tool to find the latest models that fit your budget exactly.
Performance: Will It Actually Feel Slow?
Short answer: no — not for most people.
The iPhone 13 runs on Apple’s A15 Bionic chip built on a 5nm process. That’s the same chip Apple shipped in the iPhone 14 the following year. Daily tasks — social media, messaging, streaming, navigation, photography — feel completely fluid.
Apple Intelligence, introduced with iOS 18.1, requires at minimum an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16. So if on-device AI tools are on your wishlist, the iPhone 13 won’t deliver those specific features. But for everything else — it’s fine. More than fine, actually.
🔋 Tech Tip: Battery health is the real wildcard with any used iPhone. When buying refurbished, always look for a seller who discloses battery health as a percentage. Anything above 80% is Apple’s own threshold for “normal.” Ideally, aim for 85%+ on a refurbished unit. Reputable sellers on our vetted refurbished phone database grade and disclose this upfront.
Camera: Still Worth Using in 2026?
The iPhone 13’s dual 12MP camera system — wide and ultrawide — still takes genuinely good photos.
- The Photographic Styles feature introduced with this generation gave you real-time colour tone control that still holds up as a creative tool.
- Video is where it shines hardest: 4K at 60fps, Cinematic mode at 4K 30fps, and Dolby Vision HDR recording.
- For casual creators, travel shooters, and anyone making content for social media, this is plenty.
- It won’t match the iPhone 15 Pro or 16 Pro on computational photography or ProRes video but for most use cases, you’d struggle to tell the difference on a phone screen.
If you’re shooting a lot of video and want the best used iPhone for filmmaking on a budget, the best option right now (and the one I currently use) is a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max with plenty of storage.
Should You Buy a Refurbished iPhone 13 in 2026?
Maybe. It depends. It depends on whether you’re comfortable with its limited support window. If you are, go for it. The iPhone 13 is perfectly functional for basic things, and the camera’s still serviceable too.
We would advise you to look at newer models, however, in order to get more bang for your buck. It’s good not having to think about getting a new phone for several years at a time.
Our top picks from current stock (all unlocked):
- iPhone 13 256GB Unlocked in Blue — the storage sweet spot
- iPhone 13 256GB Unlocked in Pink
- iPhone 13 256GB Unlocked in Red
- iPhone 13 Pro 256GB Unlocked in Graphite — step up for ProMotion 120Hz display
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB Unlocked in Sierra Blue — best battery life of the range
Always go unlocked. Carrier-locked variants tie you to a specific network and typically can’t be used with a SIM-only deal — which defeats the point of buying smart. Every link above is unlocked stock.
Know Your Mobile Verdict
The iPhone 13 still delivers snappy performance, a capable camera, active iOS support, and 5G connectivity. For most people, it covers 95% of what they actually need from a smartphone.
You just need to factor in the limited support window it has left.
If you don’t want to have to buy another phone in the next two years, my advice would be to get an iPhone 15 model instead. Or, if budget stretches, either the base model iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16e.
Me? I’d probably just go with a higher storage iPhone 15 like this one.
FAQ
Is an iPhone 13 still supported in 2026?
Yes. Apple is expected to support the iPhone 13 with iOS 27 when it launches in autumn 2026, giving it a full six-year software window. Security patches and major feature updates are still incoming — it’s not being abandoned any time soon.
Is it worth buying a 5-year-old iPhone over a new Android?
For most buyers, yes. The iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chip outperforms or matches most mid-range Android chips released in 2024–2025. Add in Apple’s software support longevity and the lower refurbished price, and it’s a smart trade. If you want more help comparing your options, our common questions about used devices hub covers this in detail.
What’s the oldest iPhone worth buying in 2026?
The iPhone 12 is our hard floor — older models are too close to end-of-software-support to recommend confidently. The iPhone 13 is the better entry point, with noticeably longer update runway, better battery life, and a brighter OLED display. Anything below iPhone 12 is a hard avoid.
How do I know if a refurbished iPhone 13 is in good condition?
Look for sellers who disclose battery health, cosmetic grading (A, B, C or equivalent), and whether the device is network unlocked. Reputable retailers will list all of this clearly. You can browse trusted refurbished phone retailers here if you’re not sure where to start.
Will the iPhone 13 get Apple Intelligence?
No — Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model. The iPhone 13 won’t receive those on-device AI features. But if Apple Intelligence isn’t on your must-have list, this gap won’t affect your day-to-day experience at all.
Looking for more options? Browse our full roundup of quality used mobile devices or explore the complete refurbished phones category for the latest deals and buying guides.
Buying tools
Thinking About Buying an iPhone?
Compare current refurbished prices, see how it stacks up against alternatives, and avoid overpaying for the wrong model.
Recommended for this article
