The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro arrived in 2021 in a range of color options, with entirely new hues available on both devices, as well as some popular classics. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro have different color choices, so if you have your heart set on a particular shade, you may not be able to get your preferred model in that color.
iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 are available in six colors, four of which are were new shades when they were introduced. Although previous standard iPhone lineup color options have tended to be bolder and brighter, Apple chose to offer a more muted color palette with the iPhone 13.
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini's six available colors are:
- PRODUCT(RED)
- Starlight
- Midnight
- Blue
- Pink
- Green
The only color directly carried over from the previous year's iPhone 12 lineup is the bright (PRODUCT)RED color, but all five of the other colors are new shades, even if some are similar to last year. Apple partners with (PRODUCT)RED to offer a striking red iPhone 13, of which a portion of the proceeds to go the Global Fund COVID-19 Response, which provides support to healthcare systems and preserves HIV and AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Starlight replaces the previous White option, which featured silver aluminum edges. Starlight is similar to the White option from last year, but is now a distinctively warmer shade that is almost pearl or cream-colored. The silver edges now contain a hint of gold to match the new, warmer look. Starlight is effectively analogous to the iPhone 13 Pro's cool Silver color, except with less prominent matte aluminum edges and a warmer, almost champagne tone.
The Midnight iPhone 13 should not be confused with previous Black, Space Gray, or Graphite devices and is a new color. Midnight replaces Black as the lineup's darkest color option, but differs from Black since it has a slight hint of navy blue.
Although there was previously a Blue shade in the iPhone 12 lineup, the iPhone 13's Blue is lighter and warmer with a hint of turquoise. A pale, candyfloss-like Pink color replaces Purple.
While Apple did not initially carry over a green color from the iPhone 12 lineup, in March 2022 Apple added a new Green color option for the iPhone 13. It is much darker than the Green shade offered with the iPhone 12.
If you still need help deciding between the iPhone SE or iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13, see our other buyer's guides:
- iPhone SE vs. iPhone 13 Buyer's Guide: Comparing Apple's Cheapest iPhones
- iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 14 Buyer's Guide: Comparing Apple's Mid-Range iPhones in 2023
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are available in five colors, all of which are different from those available with the iPhone 13 models.
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max's five available colors are:
- Graphite
- Gold
- Silver
- Sierra Blue
- Alpine Green
Graphite, Gold, and Silver were all available with the previous year's iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, with Sierra Blue being the only new option initially. Sierra Blue replaced Pacific Blue, being much lighter and brighter, more akin to a baby blue shade.
It is worth noting that the iPhone 13 Pro's Silver color only refers to the edges of the device. The Silver iPhone 13 Pro's rear is in fact white. Moreover, the Graphite color, in reality, appears to be similar to Space Gray from previous generations.
In March 2022 Apple added a new Alpine Green color option for the iPhone 13 Pro. The last time Apple offered a green color option for its Pro line of iPhones was Midnight Green with the iPhone 11 Pro, but that was a darker shade compared to Alpine Green.
If you still need help deciding between the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 13 Pro, see our iPhone 13 vs. 13 Pro buyer's guide.
How to Decide on a Color
If you use your iPhone with a case, you may wish to consider which device color will best complement your case. It may be that you prefer more neutral tones such as Midnight or Starlight on the iPhone 13, or Graphite or Silver on the iPhone 13 Pro, and then use a more colorful case.
Similarly, Starlight, Midnight, Silver, and Graphite may age better over time as new devices are released since they are more neutral, almost monochrome shades. If you do not use a case, you may wish to take advantage of a more eye-catching color option such as Blue or Gold.
If you want an iPhone in a new color, Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Sierra Blue, and Alpine Green will be the best options. Pink, Sierra Blue, and Alpine Green, in particular, are likely to be the colors that are most noticeably new and the ones that are most likely to indicate that you have the latest-generation device.
Your color choice may also be dependent on how often you upgrade your iPhone. If you upgrade every year, you may be more confident in buying a striking new color, but if you keep your iPhone for many years, it may be wiser to consider a color that you have enjoyed previously if it is still available.
Customers with multiple Apple devices may also want to get an iPhone color that compliments their other devices. For example, if you already have a Space Gray MacBook Pro, it will be best accompanied by the Graphite iPhone 13 Pro. Likewise, if you have a Silver stainless steel Apple Watch, it will match the Silver iPhone 13 Pro, and the Pink 24-inch iMac will best match the PRODUCT(RED) iPhone 13.
