iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 13: The Ultimate Showdown

Apple's iPhone 13 series offered compelling upgrades in 2021. But with two distinct models – the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a significantly larger display, superior battery life, and a slightly more advanced camera system. However, the iPhone 13 remains a fantastic choice, offering excellent performance and a more compact design at a lower price point. The Pro Max wins for power users, while the iPhone 13 is ideal for those prioritizing portability and value.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple iPhone 13
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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2633, A2634, A2635
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2643, A26441, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 Sub6/mmWave - A2633
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 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, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2634, A2635
Launch
Announced2021, September 142021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 in)146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight240 g (8.47 oz)174 g (6.14 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCeramic Shield glass
Resolution1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% 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 (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSiOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.9", 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
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)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
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)-
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, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), 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, BDS, 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 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Ion 4352 mAh (16.75 Wh)Li-Ion 3240 mAh (12.41 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenStarlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Red, Green
ModelsA2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3A2633, A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, iphone14,5
Price€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00€ 304.00 / $ 249.97 / £ 248.00
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 121h Endurance rating 89h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.0 LUFS (Very good) -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 775519 (v9) GeekBench: 4645 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Larger, brighter display with ProMotion
  • Significantly longer battery life
  • More advanced triple-camera system with telephoto lens
  • ProRes video recording

  • Larger size and weight
  • Higher price

Apple iPhone 13

  • More compact and lightweight design
  • Lower price
  • Excellent performance
  • Still a great camera system

  • Shorter battery life
  • Smaller display
  • No telephoto lens

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz) compared to the iPhone 13's 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. The Pro Max's display also reaches a peak brightness of 1050 nits, significantly brighter than the iPhone 13's 802 nits, making it easier to view in direct sunlight. The ProMotion technology on the Pro Max provides smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a more advanced triple-camera system with larger sensors and improved low-light performance. It includes a 12MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide, and 12MP Telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 13 has a dual-camera system with a 12MP Wide and 12MP Ultra Wide lens. Both record excellent video, but the Pro Max offers ProRes video recording for professional workflows.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, ensuring blazing-fast performance for any task. While the Pro Max has slightly more RAM (6GB vs 4GB in some iPhone 13 models), the difference in real-world performance is minimal. Both handle demanding games and applications with ease.

Battery Life

The iPhone 13 Pro Max excels in battery life, offering significantly longer endurance thanks to its larger battery capacity. The endurance rating is 121 hours compared to the iPhone 13's 89 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, especially for power users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max? Users who prioritize a large, immersive display, all-day (or longer) battery life, and the best possible camera performance. It's perfect for content creators, heavy users, and those who enjoy media consumption on the go. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13? Users seeking a premium smartphone experience in a more compact and affordable package. It's a great choice for everyday use, social media enthusiasts, and those who prefer a lighter device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize a large display, exceptional battery life, and the best possible camera features, then the Pro Max is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget or prefer a more compact phone, the iPhone 13 offers excellent value.
❓ What is ProMotion and why does it matter?
ProMotion is Apple's adaptive refresh rate technology that dynamically adjusts the display's refresh rate up to 120Hz. This results in smoother scrolling, animations, and overall a more responsive user experience. It's exclusive to the Pro Max.