iPhone 13 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Apple's iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max both offer flagship features, but cater to slightly different needs. The Pro Max boasts a larger display and longer battery life, while the Pro provides a more compact form factor. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max wins on battery life and screen size, offering a truly immersive experience. However, the iPhone 13 Pro's smaller size and comparable performance make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing portability. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences and usage habits.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple iPhone 13 Pro
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 - A2638, A2639, A2640
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, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2638, A2639
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, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2636
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, stainless steel 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)204 g (7.20 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, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 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 (5-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 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB 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)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)12 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, 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 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 3095 mAh (12.11 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
ModelsA2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3A2638, A2483, A2636, A2639, A2640, iPhone14,2
Price€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00€ 398.00 / $ 365.86 / £ 300.00
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)1.20 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 85h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.0 LUFS (Very good) -24.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 794348 (v9) GeekBench: 4687 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large, immersive display
  • Flagship performance
  • Excellent camera system
  • Premium build quality

  • Large size can be unwieldy
  • Slightly heavier than the Pro
  • Charging speed could be faster

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

  • More compact and pocketable
  • Flagship performance
  • Excellent camera system
  • Premium build quality
  • Slightly brighter display (negligible)

  • Shorter battery life compared to Max
  • Smaller display

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max edges out the Pro with a slightly larger 6.7-inch display compared to the Pro's 6.1-inch. Both offer a stunning Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz) and excellent color accuracy. The Pro Max achieves a measured peak brightness of 1050 nits, while the Pro hits 1063 nits – a negligible difference in real-world use. Both offer infinite contrast ratio (nominal).

Camera Comparison

The camera systems are virtually identical, featuring a triple-lens setup (Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto) with sensor-shift optical image stabilization. Both phones excel in photography and videography, capturing stunning images and videos in various lighting conditions. Cinematic mode for video recording is a standout feature on both.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, ensuring blazing-fast performance for any task. The CPU configuration is identical (Hexa-core with Avalanche and Blizzard cores), so you won't notice a significant difference in speed or responsiveness. Gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications will run flawlessly on either device.

Battery Life

This is where the iPhone 13 Pro Max truly shines. Its larger battery provides significantly longer battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 121 hours compared to the iPhone 13 Pro's 85 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, especially for power users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max? Users who prioritize maximum battery life, enjoy consuming media on a larger screen, and don't mind a larger device. Who should buy the iPhone 13 Pro? Users who prefer a more pocketable phone, value a slightly lighter device, and still want flagship-level performance and camera capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max worth the extra cost?
If battery life and a larger screen are your priorities, then yes. The Pro Max offers a significant advantage in these areas. However, if you prefer a more compact phone, the Pro is a great value.
❓ Are the cameras the same on both phones?
Yes, the camera hardware and software are virtually identical. You'll get similar image quality and features on both devices.