Demand for iPhone 13 has skyrocketed in Russia. The answer is here why it has six letters

Over the last six months, not a week has passed without someone asking me the same question – mostly people I don’t know well, they write on Telegram when contacting us from our channel @iPhonesru.

The question is this. Where can I get iPhone 13?

No iPhone 14 and even more so No iPhone 15. It’s the iPhone 13, period.

Everyone has slightly different wishes, but basically I was looking for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Two points are critically important: PCT and not being repaired, especially unauthorized. Used models, according to research, only if the battery charge level is at least 80%. Blue Dream – new and unpacked. And by no means green!

On sites like Avito, you can rarely find a complex, non-refurbished iPhone 13 – the device is already nominally in its fourth year, and on the market in Russia there is already a shortage of refurbished models, both state-owned and of a very dubious level of repair work.

So What makes Russians look for this particular iPhone model? with such zeal? The answer is very simple, and I understand it as a user.

The reason for the popularity of iPhone 13 in Russia in 2024

VoWiFi. And to a lesser extent VoLTE.

For those who don’t know what these technologies are, I quote our article on the topic:

In order to identify calls without connecting to the operator’s network, you can use two technologies: VoLTE And VoWiFi. The first allows you to check calls via 4G mobile networks, the second – via Wi-Fi.

For VoLTE You need to have an active connection to the mobile Internet. This can be either the main SIM card or a second one for dual-SIM devices or iPhones with eSIM support. It’s important to have exactly LTE connection, the chip will not work in 2G\3G networks.

When using VoWiFi You can recognize calls even if the iPhone is not picked up by the network operator at all. The call will be made over an Internet connection via Wi-Fi.

With the advantages of technology, I think everything is clear. VoWiFi is of particular importance – support for those who communicate in areas with a weak signal. This could be a new building or a private country house.

With this mode, if you have Wi-Fi, you will be available for incoming calls and will be able to call anyone yourself. Without it, it will be either difficult or completely impossible to reach you.

Why is there no VoWiFi on the new iPhone in Russia for 3 years?

For these two technologies to work on every iPhone model in a mobile device, it must pass get certified by Apple. This process is gradually being carried out by all major operators in Russia until the end of February 2022.

As a result of certification, the iPhone automatically receives data from Apple servers under this name. “bundle”: a package of settings and permissions for certain functions, tailored for each individual telecom operator. For each model and generation, the iPhone develops its own “bundle”.

Since the process of certification of Russian operators was stopped by Apple from the end of winter 2022, new “bundles” were not issued to:

▪ iPhone 13 green, all models
▪ iPhone 14, all models
▪ iPhone 15, all models
▪ iPhone 16, all models

accordingly, on the above iPhone models Unable to enable VoWiFi feature in the networks of Russian operators. For some, you can enable VoLTE – but this function brings much less practical benefit, saving VoWiFi.

Experiments with “setting up” VoWiFi bypassing “bundles” and manually fixing and installing them on our own did not lead to the identification of problems in Russia. As of fall 2024, previously named iPhone models do not require VoWiFi. The solution can only be a “bundle” from Apple. I think there is no point in explaining why it won’t exist in the foreseeable future.

What to do if you need VoWiFi on iPhone

There are two options. Convenient – ​​zero.

1. Buy an iPhone 13 of any model.except for the green ones. These are the last of the iPhones that are properly certified to work with Russian network operators. Therefore, VoWiFi earns money in them as it should. Provides an increase in the level of illumination on devices of this series in RF. Some people pair it with their iPhone 14, 15 or 16. I personally know of at least two cases where people changed their iPhone 15 to an iPhone 13 just for VoWiFi.

2. Buy an Android smartphone. 98% of models more expensive than 10 thousand rubles on this day correctly use VoWiFi in the networks of Russian operators. The device can be used as a pair for the iPhone and act in cases where without VoWiFi it is impossible to contact the visiting world. However, in this situation, you will either need to regularly send the main SIM card between devices, or initially store it in the Android smartphone. Or use two phone numbers. Not everyone likes this. And if you have an eSIM, then there is nothing to change at all.

Unfortunately, there are no other options for iPhone owners in Russia and are not yet in sight. The operators do not comment on this point, despite requests from our customers over the past two years. You can understand them: they would be happy to include everything. But it doesn’t depend on them.

PS Our friends from the trade-in service DameSell They also note a consistently high interest in the iPhone 13. By the way, if you also miss VoWiFi, or, on the contrary, want to update your 13 to something a little newer, write to them and help.