Apple launches iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max
It’s iPhone season again! This time, Apple is lunching the iPhone 13 lineup, and Australians are already picking up their pre-orders.
Every year, Apple customers anticipate the latest iPhone, and this year has been no different. We’ll get you up to speed on what to expect from the iPhone 13 lineup, which consists of four models:
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
These days, smartphones don’t come cheap, and iPhones typically raise the price bar much higher than average. However, we’ll also tell you how to get your hands on a brand new iPhone by paying monthly installments to Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone, so you don’t have to break the bank.
iPhone 13 specs
Apple have been known to break new ground with each new iPhone release. This year, the iPhone 13 comes with some improvements over last year’s iPhone 12 series. We’re talking about larger camera lenses, longer battery life, more storage, and more.
Here’s a look at what each iPhone 13 model offers, compared to iPhone 12 models:
iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13 VS. iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12
| iPhone 13 Mini | iPhone 13 | iPhone 12 Mini | iPhone 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut price (based on storage) | AU$1,199 to AU$1,719 | AU$1,349 to AU$1,869 | AU$1,349 to AU$1,599 | AU$1,199 to AU$1,449 |
| Screen specs | 5.4 inches, 2340X1080 resolution, 476ppi density | 6.1 inches, 2532X1170, 460ppi | 5.4 inches, 2340X1080, 460ppi | 6.1 inches, 2532X1170, 476ppi |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Processor | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic | A14 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Rear cameras | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) |
| Video capture | HDR video with Dolby Vision, up to 4K at 60 frames per second | HDR video with Dolby Vision, up to 4K at 60 frames per second | 4K | 4K |
| Battery life | 17 hours continuous video playback | 19 hours continuous video playback | 15 hours continuous video playback | 17 hours continuous video playback |
Here’s a couple of things to note about the above comparison. First, the price differences highlight the debut price ranges of both series. However, Apple have now discounted the iPhone 12 and 12 mini as the newer iPhone 13 and 13 mini have now launched, so the older models are now cheaper than their above debut prices. But keep in mind that the iPhone 13 models have debuted at a lower price point than their predecessors did a year ago.
That being said, the key upgrades that the base iPhone 13 and 13 Mini have over their predecessors are increased storage, wider rear camera lenses, better pixel depth, faster processor, and longer battery life. Of course it doesn’t end there, but you get the idea — at the debut price points, the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13 give you more bang for your buck than the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12.
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max VS. iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
| iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut price (based on storage) | AU$1,699 to AU$2,569 | AU$1,349 to AU$1,869 | AU$1,699 to AU$2,219 | AU$1,199 to AU$1,449 |
| Screen specs | 6.1 inches, 2532X1170 resolution, 460ppi density | 6.7 inches, 2778X1284, 458ppi | 6.1 inches, 2532X1170, 460ppi | 6.7 inches, 2778X1284, 458ppi |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Processor | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic | A14 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Rear cameras | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP telephoto 3x zoom | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP telephoto 3x zoom | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP telephoto 2x zoom | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP telephoto 2.5x zoom |
| Video capture | Up to 4K UHD, 60 frames per second | Up to 4K UHD, 60 frames per second | Up to 4K UHD, 60 frames per second | Up to 4K UHD, 60 frames per second |
| Battery life | 22 hours continuous video playback | 28 hours continuous video playback | 17 hours continuous video playback | 20 hours continuous video playback |
One of the stand-out difference here is that the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max now have a fourth storage option of 1TB. Last year’s iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max had a maximum of 512GB storage. And, of course, you get much longer battery life on the newer models.
iPhone 13 plans from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone
If you’re looking for a flagship smartphone that packs all the punches, then you can’t go wrong with any of the iPhone 13 models. But as you likely already know, these devices cost a lot of money.
The great news is that you don’t have to purchase an iPhone 13 outright – Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone will sell it to you on a monthly payment plan.
All three major telcos offer installment plans for the iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Plans range from 12 months to 36 months – the longer your plan, the lower your monthly payments. However, the total cost at the end of your contract remains the same for the most part.
Keep in mind, though, that you will have to purchase a SIM plan along with your iPhone if you want to pay in monthly instalments. You will also have to remain on that SIM plan for the duration of your iPhone plan because the device will be locked to that network.
Here’s a quick look at iPhone 13 plans from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, along with their SIM plans:
| Telstra | Optus | Vodafone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 Mini monthly payment | 12 month plan: AU$99.91 to AU$141.58 24 month plan: AU$49.95 to AU$70.79 36 month plan: AU$33.30 to AU$47.19 | 12 month plan: AU$99.90 to AU$143.22 24 month plan: AU$49.95 to AU$71.61 36 month plan: AU$33.30 to AU$47.74 | 12 month plan: AU$99.91 to AU$143.25 24 month plan: AU$49.95 to AU$71.62 36 month plan: AU$33.30 to AU$47.75 |
| iPhone 13 monthly payment | 12 month plan: AU$112.41 to AU$155.75 24 month plan: AU$56.20 to AU$77.87 36 month plan: AU$37.47 to AU$51.41 | 12 month plan: AU$112.38 to AU$155.70 24 month plan: AU$56.19 to AU$77.85 36 month plan: AU$37.46 to AU$51.90 | 12 month plan: AU$112.41 to AU$155.75 24 month plan: AU$56.20 to 77.87 35 month plan: AU$37.47 to AU$51.91 |
| iPhone 13 Pro monthly payment | 12 month plan: AU$141.58 to AU$208.25 24 month plan: AU$70.79 to AU$104.12 36 month plan: AU$47.19 to AU$69.41 | 12 month plan: AU$141.54 to AU$214.08 24 month plan: AU$70.77 to AU$107.04 36 month plan: AU$47.18 to AU$71.36 | 12 month plan: AU$141.58 to AU$214.08 24 month plan: AU$70.79 to AU$107.04 36 month plan: AU$47.19 to AU$71.36 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max monthly payment | 12 month plan: AU$154.08 to AU$224.91 24 month plan: AU$77.04 to AU$112.45 36 month plan: AU$51.36 to AU$74.97 | 12 month plan: AU$154.08 to AU$226.56 24 month plan: AU$77.04 to AU$113.28 36 month plan: AU$51.36 to AU$75.52 | 12 month plan: AU$154.08 to AU$226.58 24 month plan: AU$77.04 to AU$113.29 36 month plan: AU$51.36 to AU$75.52 |
You can purchase any of these iPhone 13 models outright from your telco by paying the actual cost in full. The major telcos have simply divided the outright cost by the number of months you choose to pay in installments, meaning they are interest-free.
But remember, to take advantage of monthly payments, you would have to sign up for a SIM plan from the telco you purchase an iPhone from, and remain on that SIM plan for the duration of the iPhone plan. If you cancel your SIM plan before your iPhone 13 plan contract expires, then you would have to pay off the remaining balance outright.
Here’s a look at the SIM only plans from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone:
| Telstra | Optus | Vodafone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price range | Four SIM plans from $55 to $115 (Extra Large plan currently on promo at $65 per month for 1 year then $115. Offer ends 2 November, 2021) | Five SIM plans from $45 to $115 (Optus Plus Promo Plan at $65 per month for 1 year then $115. Offer ends 2 November, 2021) | Five SIM plans from $40 to $85 |
| Data | 40GB to 180GB high speed data, throttled to 1.5Mbps when exhausted | 20GB to 500GB high speed data, throttled to 1.5Mbps when exhausted | 40GB to Unlimited GB high speed data. Four plans are throttled at 2Mbps to 10Mbps when high speed data is exhausted. Ultra+ Plan offers unlimited high speed data throughout the billing cycle. |
| Network | 5G access, except on smallest plan which only has 4G access | 5G access across all plans | 5G access across all plans |
| Standard national voice and SMS | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
All iPhone 13 models are 5G capable, so you might be interested in a telco that offers 5G plans. All three of the major telcos above (Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone) offer 5G across their month-to-month SIM only plans.
However, it’s important to note that Telstra do not offer 5G access on their smallest plan while both Optus and Vodafone offer 5G across all plans at no extra costs.
Bottom Line
iPhone launches are always anticipated. This year, the tradition continues with the iPhone 13 series, picking up from last year with 4 similar models.
However, all iPhone 13 models pack a bit more of a punch than their predecessors. The new design adds wider lenses that allow wide and ultra-wide sensors to pick up more in your frame, the batteries last longer, the new Bionic A15 processor is faster, and storage space has increased.
All of these features add up to a hefty price tag. But surprisingly, these iPhone 13 models have launched at price points that are similar to last year’s iPhone 12 models. But with the current launch, iPhone 12 models have now seen a price drop, so perhaps you might be keen to check those out if you’re looking for a bargain.
Nevertheless, if you’d prefer to get your hands on the latest iPhone, you can opt for a payment plan from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone. All three telcos offer interest-free installment payments that must be paired with a SIM only plan. Each telco have their own pros and cons, so be sure to check out our SIM only comparison page to help you decide the best phone plan for your needs.