Why change a recipe when the sales are good.
Apple has renewed its iPhone range with its 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max models without touching too much on the form or the ingredients that make their commercial success.
As the iPhone 13 takes again the characteristics of its predecessor with a more powerful processor, we concentrated on the 13 Pro, certainly more expensive (on sale Friday from 1 159 euros), but equipped with the most interesting innovations.
Does this high-end smartphone tick the boxes to win against its Android competitors?
We tested it for several days.
We liked
The fluidity of the Oled HDR screen.
It was the most anticipated and promising addition. The adaptive screen Pro Motion finally arrives on the iPhone at least on the 6.1 and 6.7 inch panels of the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. His interest ? Display content with a refresh rate that changes in real time and up to 120 Hz for more fluidity, especially during games of video games. Manufactured by Samsung or LG, this Oled screen equips most of the competitors, like the Samsung S21 or the One Plus 9 Pro. Apple has so far delayed its implementation by highlighting problems of excessive battery consumption. According to the tests of the 01 Net laboratory, the brand with the bitten apple has found the solution while increasing the autonomy of its devices.
The delay is caught up - and with the way - thanks in particular to the contribution of the powerful house processor A15 and to 6 GB of RAM.
By juggling between a 12 Pro and a 13 Pro, the difference in the display of applications - social networks or messaging - is obvious and the first good impression is confirmed by the use of a game, PUBG, where fluidity and responsiveness are prerequisites.
The iPhone adapts the 10 Hz refresh rate for basic functions like reading a text at the famous 120 Hz for activities that require it such as running your character or drawing smoothly.
The PUBG mobile game is displayed smoothly.
We therefore wish for the imminent arrival of these brighter and smoother screens on the iPhone 14.
Progress on the photo
.
By combining a simple and efficient photo system with software editing, the iPhones managed to take quality photos but did not fall into the category of photophones, these smartphones capable of competing with a real camera.
Apple narrows the gap a little more by integrating the most affordable Pro model with more efficient sensors.
A privilege reserved last year for the 12 Pro Max.
These three 12-megapixel camera modules each have a dedicated function.
The ultra wide-angle with an aperture enlarged to f / 1.8 benefits from an innovation awaited by food photography enthusiasts (among others): a real Macro mode to stick as closely as possible, that is to say 2 cm, of the objective.
The result is quite convincing.
The close up photos are very good with the Macro mode.
The wide-angle changes little and always does the job well.
It is the telephoto lens (77 mm equivalent) which makes a big leap forward with the integration of an X3 zoom by default against an X2 on the previous generation.
The difference is not obvious to the eye except when we push the enlargement of a photo which loses less detail.
The default X2 zoom of the iPhone 12 Pro.
The 13 Pro's X3 zoom marks a slight difference when entering the scene.
The Cinematic video mode deserves a more in-depth test but our first use showed great promise for obtaining a bokeh effect (blurry / sharp) on faces like we can see in the cinema.
A tailor-made iOS 15
.
As usual, Apple has designed its operating system to perfectly complement its "hardware".
Like the other devices compatible with this update available since last Monday, the iPhone 13 Pro and its A15 chip run the new features wonderfully.
We particularly appreciated the possibility of selecting a text in a photo and to copy / paste it but also to translate it in a few moments.
We liked less
A more protruding camera
.
Improved sensors come with an aesthetic price to pay.
The back of the iPhone accommodates larger modules that always look more like a plate with three hearths which protrude generously.
Many other smartphones have however succeeded in reducing the optics of the devices, in particular the telephoto lens, to the minimum to avoid this pitfall and this astonishing design.
The iPhone 13 Pro's camera is getting thicker than its predecessor.
Especially since the thickness of the modules unbalances the device placed on a table and a protective shell becomes essential to add a few centimeters of protection and spare them from scratches.
The notch always bites the screen.
Appeared on the iPhone X in 2017 and copied by all other manufacturers, the notch or "notch" has gradually disappeared in favor of punch or even front camera under the screen for the most innovative models.
Reworked with a speaker that climbs towards the edge, the notch housing the front camera is reduced by 20% in order to leave more display surface on the Oled screen but we could have hoped for even more.
Apple retorts that these precise sensors and Face ID still require this place.
The 13 Pro's notch (right) has been reduced by 20% but continues to nibble the screen.
Note that several applications such as Instagram or the PUBG game have not yet taken this new notch into account and certain elements sometimes overlap the battery and mobile network indicators.
Verdict
The iPhone 13 Pro is a real success with the price corresponding to premium.
Without changing the design - apart from the imposing camera - it manages to regenerate the experience on iPhone and thus deserves its investment.
The most demanding will regret the presence of the notch which always nibbles a beautiful screen finally adaptive up to 120 Hz. Powerful and reliable, this edition climbs without forcing on the podium of the best smartphones of the year.
IPhone 13 PRO
