Who doesn’t love the feeling of taking home a brand-new phone? It’s like a fresh start, in the best way possible. And these days, the devices are just so darn pretty to look at. Even more so now, as Apple just announced that its latest lineup of iPhone 13s will be available in not one, but two shades of green. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max will be offered in a stunning alpine green, and the iPhone 13 and 13 mini in a deeper green tone.
The release comes just in time for the spring season. Usually, I’d be more inclined to associate these thawing months with pastel hues of green, but it stands to reason that olive tones are staple neutrals. The color always work stylistically, rendering the new green iPhone the hottest new accessory. And though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend selecting a device based around a holiday, it’s not lost on me that you could show off your new cell just in time for St. Patty’s Day...just saying.
It’s not just the iPhone’s aesthetics that are getting a refresh; the technology is, too.
In fact, the new versions of the 13 Pro and Pro Max have the most advanced screen display of any iPhone model ever. The 13 and 13 mini also boast upgraded displays with Super Retina XDR. You don’t have to understand the tech behind it to understand why it matters: streaming the new season of Ted Lasso will look infinitely more lifelike.
Every model in the recent drop is made with Apple’s Ceramic Shield, the toughest, most water- and dust-resistant smartphone glass on the market. Still, you should probably snag a new case just to be safe. (Albeit a clear one to show off that lush alpine green!)
Apple is also hyping up its new A15 bionic chip, which powers the 13 Pro and Pro Max models. Think: upgraded processing, graphics, photography, videography, and a purportedly way better battery life—sounds promising, right? These editions also introduce the latest wide, ultra wide, and telephoto camera lenses. Oh, the Instagrams you’ll post! But it’s not just the 13 Pro and Pro Max that are getting camera upgrade, the new 13 and 13 mini also have improved photo functions.
Phones from the new lineup will come with iOS 15.4, which features Apple’s latest innovations, including—drum roll, please—mask-friendly Face ID. Yes, at long last, your phone will recognize your face even with your mouth and nose covered by a mask. Truly a sign of the times. The iOS also has a new voice option for Siri (fingers crossed for Leslie Jordan), new emojis, and more. Another upgrade is enhanced FaceTime quality, so get ready for even better virtual game nights and long-distance dates. The Focus functionality has also been redesigned, and Apple Maps has received a three-dimensional upgrade meant to make walking and driving navigation even better. And now, somehow, you can add your house key, IDs, and license to your Apple Wallet. Does this mean I can officially leave the house with just my phone? Quite possibly yes!
Plus, these new models aren’t just green in tone—they’re green in the environmental sense. The 13 models were designed with sustainability in mind. Several of the phone components, such as the MagSafe magnets and camera wires, are made with 100 percent recycled materials. In the 13 and 13 mini specifically, antenna lines are constructed with recycled water bottles. And perhaps best of all, they’ve eliminated the outer plastic wrap from the iPhone’s packaging, furthering the company’s goal to have plastic-free packaging by 2025. Hallelujah.
The 13 Pro and Pro Max are already available in sierra blue, graphite, gold, and silver, while the 13 and 13 mini are sold in a red shade, starlight, midnight, blue, and pink. Alpine green and green models will be available for pre-order starting today at apple.com and will officially go on sale next Friday, March 18. Mark your iCals.
Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different. Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country. Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
