iPhone 13 Batteries Positively Excel at Video Streaming Compared to iPhone 12 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone 13 Batteries Positively Excel at Video Streaming Compared to iPhone 12

Apple has made much of its iPhone 13 battery life improvements, noting for example that the 13 Pro Max offers the longest battery life ever in an iPhone. However, when you look at Apple's own battery comparisons versus the iPhone 12 lineup, it's the streaming video performance that the company has eked out of its new smartphones that really stands out.

iphone 13 display

  • iPhone 12 mini: 10 hours
  • iPhone 12: 11 hours
  • iPhone 12 Pro: 11 hours
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max: 12 hours
  • iPhone 13 Mini: 13 hours
  • iPhone 13: 19 hours
  • iPhone 13 Pro: 20 hours
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max: 25 hours

The iPhone 13 lineup features new low-power displays, a more efficient A15 chip, larger batteries, and more power-efficient components, all of which make for dramatic improvements when streaming, as the numbers above show.

For example, Apple claims that when streaming video, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max last nine hours and 13 hours longer than last year's equivalent models, respectively. Taking the same metric, the battery in the iPhone 13 mini manages 13 hours, which is longer than even the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

With video streaming services so ubiquitous these days, not to mention Apple TV+ (and obliquely, Fitness+), Apple has clearly factored the computations involved into the power optimizations that it has achieved through the tight integration of its hardware and software.

Of course, battery life varies by use case and many other factors, so actual results will vary, but if they're anything near what Apple is claiming, binge-watching your favorite show should be a cinch on these latest devices.

(H/T to Jack for pointing this out!)

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

apple welcome home event

Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:04 am PDT by
Apple today announced an upcoming product launch that will take place on Tuesday, October 13. We are expecting Apple's announcement to focus on new smart home products, including the long-rumored smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The home hub is an all-new device that's like a cross between an iPad and...
MacBook Pro Ultra Feature 1

Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models and an OLED iPad mini "on or around" Tuesday, October 27, reports Bloomberg. The launch will also include an M6 14-inch MacBook Pro and an M6 iMac. The October 27 follows Apple's October 13 debut of a new smart home hub, a revamped Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Earlier this month, MacRumors reported that Apple would do ...
October 13 Welcome Home Event Image

Apple's October 13 Launch: What's Coming

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:59 pm PDT by
Apple is planning to introduce new products on Tuesday, October 13, Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak announced today. It won't be a traditional Apple event, but Apple has invited some members of the media to New York City to get some hands-on time with whatever's introduced. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Those of us not invited to the New York Experience are...

Top Rated Comments

DNichter Avatar
66 months ago
This is the first time in years I have zero desire to upgrade my iPhone, but this is pretty impressive.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
66 months ago
of course, that is what promotion is all about
watching video at 24hz will save battery a lot more than stuck on 60hz like all other iphone had it
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
66 months ago

of course, that is what promotion is all about
watching video at 24hz will save battery a lot more than stuck on 60hz like all other iphone had it

I suspect a lot is due to promotion limiting display power consumption.
But the iPhone 13 doesn't have promotion and has 19 hours listed over the 11 hours from the iPhone 12.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
66 months ago
That is a tremendous gain. Nice big leap in tech.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oblivious.Robot Avatar
66 months ago
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-12-pro-battery-health.2285325/page-28

Given that some of us had horrible experience with our iPhone 12 Pro Max batteries, I honestly hope that they have rectified and improved them in the 13 series. :confused:

9 months old, 128 cycle, 89% battery health. Went from amazing 2 day battery life, to needing to use low power mode just to make it through the day on a same usage pattern. As it's not 80% or below, Apple Support Rep said nothing is wrong with my battery and can't (won't) replace it under warranty. Sigh.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
66 months ago
Should be good news for the mini fans as battery life was one of the 12 mini's downside.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
6 hours ago
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
18 hours ago
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
19 hours ago
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
19 hours ago
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
19 hours ago
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
19 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
20 hours ago
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
1 day ago
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
1 day ago
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
2 days ago
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
2 days ago
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
2 days ago
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
2 days ago
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
2 days ago
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
2 days ago
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
2 days ago
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
2 days ago
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
2 days ago
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
2 days ago
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
2 days ago
Apple's October 13 Launch: What's Coming
Apple's October 13 Launch: What's Coming
2 days ago
Anthropic Says Users Can't Be Needlessly Cruel to Claude
Anthropic Says Users Can't Be Needlessly Cruel to Claude
2 days ago
Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27
Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27
3 days ago
Apple Now Pushing iPhone Users Still on iOS 26 to Install iOS 27
Apple Now Pushing iPhone Users Still on iOS 26 to Install iOS 27
3 days ago
Apple Has a New M&A Chief as Ternus Reshuffles Leadership
Apple Has a New M&A Chief as Ternus Reshuffles Leadership
3 days ago
Prepare for Apple's New Home Hub With These HomeKit Accessory Deals
Prepare for Apple's New Home Hub With These HomeKit Accessory Deals
3 days ago
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
3 days ago
Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch
Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch
3 days ago
Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'
Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'
3 days ago