The iPhone 13 is five years old, Apple no longer sells it new, and it is still one of the most-listed iPhones on Swappa. This guide answers one question: should you buy an iPhone 13 in 2026, or spend a little more or a little less on a different iPhone? It covers current Swappa sale prices, how long the 13 will keep getting updates, and the specific cases where another model is the better buy.
Quick Answer
Yes, for most budget buyers. A 128GB iPhone 13 sold for an average of $242 on Swappa as of September 23, 2026, and it runs iOS 27 with the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 14. The one close call is the iPhone 14, which averaged about $41 more and should get roughly a year more of updates. Skip both and look at the iPhone 16e (about $375) if you want Apple Intelligence, USB-C, or the longest support window.
The iPhone 13 in 2026 at a Glance
| iPhone 13 | |
|---|---|
| Released | September 2021, at $799 |
| Chip and RAM | A15 Bionic (4-core GPU), 4GB |
| Display | 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz |
| Rear cameras | 12MP wide with sensor-shift stabilization, 12MP ultra wide |
| Connectivity | 5G, nano-SIM plus eSIM (US models) |
| Charging | Lightning, MagSafe, Qi |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6 meters for 30 minutes) |
| Software | iOS 27; no Apple Intelligence |
| Avg. sale price on Swappa | $242 (128GB), $260 (256GB), $327 (512GB) |
| Listings start at | $134 |
Swappa figures as of September 23, 2026. The cheapest listings are usually Fair-condition or carrier-locked phones. Prices change daily, so check current iPhone 13 prices.
What the iPhone 13 Still Does Well
- Speed for everyday use. The A15 Bionic still handles messaging, maps, streaming, photos, and most games without trouble. It is the same chip family Apple used in the iPhone 14 and the iPhone SE (3rd generation).
- A good main camera. The 13’s main camera has sensor-shift stabilization, which helps in low light and video, and it shoots Cinematic mode video and Photographic Styles.
- The full modern iPhone basics. OLED screen, Face ID, 5G, MagSafe accessories, and IP68 water resistance. There is nothing you need to work around day to day.
- Deep supply. Swappa had 156 unlocked 128GB iPhone 13 listings on September 23, 2026, so you can choose the color, condition, and carrier you want instead of settling.
Where the iPhone 13 Shows Its Age
- No Apple Intelligence. Apple’s AI features and the new Siri need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. If those matter to you, no iPhone 13 will get them.
- Lightning, not USB-C. Every iPhone from the iPhone 15 on uses USB-C. With a 13, you keep a Lightning cable in the mix.
- A five-year-old battery. Apple rates batteries in the iPhone 14 and earlier to keep 80% of their capacity at 500 full cycles, half the 1,000-cycle rating of the iPhone 15 and later. Many iPhone 13 listings will show battery health in the 80s or lower unless the battery has been replaced. That is normal, but price it in.
- A shorter support runway than newer models. The 13 has a few years left (see below), but a newer iPhone will be supported longer.
iPhone 13 vs. the iPhones It Competes With Used
At the iPhone 13’s price, these are the realistic alternatives. Prices are average Swappa sale prices for 128GB models as of September 23, 2026.
| Model | Avg. Sale Price (128GB) | Released | Port | Apple Intelligence | What You Gain or Give Up vs. iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | $172 | 2022 | Lightning | No | Same A15 chip, but a 4.7″ LCD, Touch ID, and one camera |
| iPhone 12 | $177 | 2020 | Lightning | No | Saves about $65, but older chip, shorter battery life, and support ends a year sooner |
| iPhone 13 | $242 | 2021 | Lightning | No | |
| iPhone 14 | $283 | 2022 | Lightning | No | 5-core GPU, 6GB RAM, satellite SOS, Crash Detection, likely a year more support; eSIM only in the US |
| iPhone 16e | $375 | 2025 | USB-C | Yes | A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, 1,000-cycle battery rating; one rear camera and no MagSafe |
| iPhone 15 | $387 | 2023 | USB-C | No | 48MP main camera, Dynamic Island, USB-C, 1,000-cycle battery rating |
Buy the iPhone 13 if you want the best balance of price and support: a modern OLED iPhone with 5G and MagSafe for well under $300.
Buy the iPhone 14 instead if the extra $40 or so is easy to find. You get essentially the same phone with more RAM, satellite SOS, and probably one more year of iOS updates. Note that US iPhone 14 models have no SIM tray; see eSIM and Used Phones: What to Know Before You Buy.
Buy the iPhone 16e instead if you plan to keep the phone four years or more, or you want Apple Intelligence and USB-C. It costs about $130 more, and as a 2025 model it should keep getting iOS updates for years after the iPhone 13 is dropped.
Buy the iPhone 12 or SE (3rd generation) instead if your budget stops under $200. The SE is the pick if you want a small phone with Touch ID. For the 12, see Is the iPhone 12 Still Worth It in 2026? and iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13: Which Should You Buy Used in 2026?
For every budget pick ranked together, see Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300.
Compare iPhone 13 Series Listings on Swappa
Which iPhone 13 Model Should You Get?
This page is about the standard iPhone 13, which is the best value of the four. The others each suit a specific buyer: the 13 mini (about $252) if you want a small phone, the 13 Pro (about $302) for a 120Hz ProMotion display and a 3x telephoto camera, and the 13 Pro Max (about $364) for the longest battery life in the family. The full breakdown is in iPhone 13 vs 13 Pro: Which iPhone 13 Should You Buy in 2026?, and prices by storage and carrier are in How Much Does an iPhone 13 Cost in 2026? Used Prices.
How Long Will the iPhone 13 Get iOS Updates?
Every iPhone 13 runs iOS 27, which Apple released on September 14, 2026. Apple does not publish end-of-support dates, and it confirms each year’s compatibility list at WWDC in June. The iPhone 11 and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) are the oldest phones on the iOS 27 list, so they will be dropped before any iPhone 13. One or two more major versions after iOS 27 is a reasonable expectation for the 13, followed by security updates for a period after that.
In practice, an iPhone 13 bought today should stay a comfortable daily phone for at least two more years. If you want to keep a phone longer than that, spend more on a newer model. For how support windows work across brands, see How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?
What to Check Before Buying a Used iPhone 13
- Battery health and cycle count. Look for the Maximum Capacity in the listing. Swappa sets no minimum battery-health percentage, but the battery must be fully functional, and sellers must disclose when an iPhone’s health is below 80% and Apple’s battery message is showing. Budget for a replacement if health is low. See iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone.
- Parts and Service History. In Settings > General > About, the iPhone 13 shows whether the battery, display, or camera has been replaced and whether the part is genuine. Ask the seller about any “Unknown Part” note.
- Carrier and unlock status. An unlocked iPhone 13 works on any major US carrier. A locked one only works on its carrier until it is unlocked. See Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked Phones: What It Means When Buying Used.
- Activation Lock and IMEI. The phone must be signed out of the previous owner’s Apple Account and have a clean IMEI. Swappa listings are staff-reviewed for both, and you can run your own check at swappa.com/imei.
For the generation-by-generation picture, see Used iPhone Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026).
Upgrading from an older iPhone? Sell it first to cut the cost of your iPhone 13. How Much Is My iPhone Worth? 2026 Used Values by Model lists what every model is selling for, or you can sell your iPhone on Swappa directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 13 still good in 2026?
Yes. The iPhone 13 runs iOS 27, its A15 Bionic chip handles everyday apps and games well, and it has an OLED display, 5G, MagSafe, and IP68 water resistance. Its weak points are a Lightning port, no Apple Intelligence, and a battery that is likely worn unless it has been replaced.
Will the iPhone 13 get iOS 28?
Apple has not said, and it announces compatibility at WWDC each June. The iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation) are older and still run iOS 27, so the iPhone 13 is likely to get at least one more major version. Expect it to be dropped before newer models like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16e.
Should I buy an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14?
Buy the iPhone 13 to save money, or the iPhone 14 if the difference is easy to cover. A 128GB iPhone 14 averaged about $283 on Swappa in September 2026, about $41 more than an iPhone 13. For that you get 6GB of RAM, satellite SOS, Crash Detection, and likely a year more of iOS updates.
Does the iPhone 13 have USB-C?
No. The iPhone 13 uses a Lightning port and supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. Apple moved the iPhone to USB-C starting with the iPhone 15. If you want USB-C at a lower price, the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 are the cheapest options.
How much should I pay for a used iPhone 13?
As of September 23, 2026, a 128GB iPhone 13 sold for about $242 on average on Swappa, a 256GB model for about $260, and a 512GB model for about $327. Listings started at $134, usually for Fair-condition or carrier-locked phones. Pay toward the higher end for good battery health and an unlocked phone.
The Bottom Line
The iPhone 13 is still worth buying in 2026 if you want a capable, fully supported iPhone for well under $300. It is the value sweet spot between the older iPhone 12 and the pricier iPhone 14, 15, and 16e. Check the battery health, confirm it is unlocked or on your carrier, and buy from a staff-reviewed listing.
