iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 11 Pro Max: A Detailed Comparison

Apple's Pro Max line consistently delivers top-tier smartphone experiences. But with a few years separating the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 11 Pro Max, which one offers the better value and performance in 2024? This comprehensive comparison breaks down every aspect to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the clear winner, boasting a brighter display, significantly faster processor, improved camera system, and longer battery life. While the iPhone 11 Pro Max remains a capable device, the 13 Pro Max's advancements justify the price difference for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2643, A2644, A26451, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2218
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2643, A2644-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE 1.6 Gbps DL, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A26411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2161, A2220
Launch
Announced2021, September 142019, September 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2019, September 20
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frameGlass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), stainless steel frame
Dimensions160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 in)158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight240 g (8.47 oz)226 g (7.97 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 4m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassScratch-resistant glass
Resolution1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)1242 x 2688 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSiOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Triple12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), PDAF, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.8, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6"
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportUltra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 updateWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Ion 4352 mAh (16.75 Wh)Li-Ion 3969 mAh, non-removable (15.04 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenMatte Space Gray, Matte Silver, Matte Gold, Matte Midnight Green
ModelsA2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3A2218, A2161, A2220, iPhone12,5
Price€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00$ 233.00 / C$ 369.75 / £ 226.95 / € 249.00
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)1.16 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.95 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Pricing
256GB 4GB RAM-$ 874.46
512GB 4GB RAM-$ 1,004.31
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 435.00
RENEWED-$ 485.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -81.5dB
Battery life Endurance rating 121h Endurance rating 102h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.0 LUFS (Very good) -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 459713 (v7), 536883 (v8) GeekBench: 13870 (v4.4), 3503 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Brighter Display
  • Faster Performance (A15 Bionic)
  • Superior Camera System
  • Longer Battery Life
  • Cinematic Mode

  • Higher Price
  • Larger Size/Weight

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • Lower Price
  • Still a capable performer
  • Premium iPhone experience

  • Dimmer Display
  • Slower Performance (A13 Bionic)
  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Older Camera System

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max's display shines with a measured peak brightness of 1050 nits, significantly brighter than the iPhone 11 Pro Max's 820 nits. This difference is noticeable in outdoor use and HDR content. Both offer excellent color accuracy and contrast (infinite nominal), but the 13 Pro Max's brightness provides a superior viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a more advanced camera system with larger sensors, sensor-shift stabilization, and improved computational photography. It captures more detail, especially in low light, and offers better video recording capabilities, including Cinematic mode. While the iPhone 11 Pro Max's camera is still excellent, the 13 Pro Max represents a significant leap forward.

Performance

The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a substantial upgrade over the A13 Bionic in the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The A15's efficiency also contributes to better battery life. The 13 Pro Max handles demanding tasks with ease.

Battery Life

The iPhone 13 Pro Max demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 121 hours compared to the iPhone 11 Pro Max's 102 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges, a crucial factor for many users.

Buying Guide

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is ideal for users who demand the best possible camera, performance, and battery life, and are willing to pay a premium. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a great option for budget-conscious buyers who still want a premium iPhone experience and don't need the absolute latest features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 11 Pro Max still a good phone in 2024?
Yes, the iPhone 11 Pro Max remains a capable device, offering a premium iPhone experience. However, it lacks some of the newer features and performance improvements found in the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
❓ How much faster is the iPhone 13 Pro Max than the iPhone 11 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max's A15 Bionic chip is significantly faster than the A13 Bionic, offering noticeable improvements in app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. Benchmarks show a 30-40% performance increase.