iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 14: A Detailed Comparison

Apple's iPhone lineup consistently sets the standard for smartphones. The iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 are both excellent devices, but cater to slightly different needs. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you determine which one is the right fit for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max still holds a strong advantage with its significantly better battery life and brighter display. While the iPhone 14 offers incremental improvements, the 13 Pro Max remains a compelling choice, especially considering its often lower price. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple iPhone 14
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 - A2882, A2884
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, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2882, A2884
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, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2883
Launch
Announced2021, September 142022, September 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2022, September 16
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 7.8 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight240 g (8.47 oz)172 g (6.07 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 (5-core graphics)
OSiOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 16, 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
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF 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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF 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, LE5.3, 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 Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)
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 3279 mAh (12.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenMidnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, Yellow
ModelsA2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3A2882, A2649, A2881, A2884, A2883, iphone14,7
Price€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00€ 344.00 / $ 277.58 / £ 300.00 / ₹ 64,900
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)1.15 W/kg (head)     1.16 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 121h Endurance rating 90h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.0 LUFS (Very good) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 817125 (v9) GeekBench: 4761 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Brighter display
  • Excellent camera system with telephoto lens
  • Potentially lower price

  • Slightly older design
  • No Dynamic Island

Apple iPhone 14

  • Improved low-light camera performance
  • Slightly more modern design
  • Crash Detection feature
  • Emergency SOS via satellite (limited availability)

  • Shorter battery life
  • Less bright display
  • Similar performance to iPhone 13 Pro Max

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1050 nits compared to the iPhone 14's 804 nits. This difference is noticeable, especially in direct sunlight. Both offer excellent color accuracy and sharpness thanks to their Super Retina XDR OLED panels with ProMotion (adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz).

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 14 introduces a larger main sensor and improved image processing, resulting in better low-light performance. The Cinematic mode also receives an upgrade. However, the iPhone 13 Pro Max's telephoto lens provides greater zoom capabilities. Both capture excellent video quality.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, meaning performance is remarkably similar. You won't notice a significant difference in everyday tasks or even demanding games. The iPhone 14 benefits from slightly improved thermal management, potentially allowing for sustained performance over longer periods, but it's a marginal advantage.

Battery Life

This is where the iPhone 13 Pro Max truly shines. Its endurance rating of 121 hours significantly surpasses the iPhone 14's 90 hours. If battery life is a top priority, the 13 Pro Max is the clear winner.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max? Users prioritizing exceptional battery life, a brighter display, and a potentially lower price point. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14? Those seeking the latest iOS features and a slightly more modern design, though the performance gains are minimal.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 worth the upgrade from an iPhone 13 Pro Max?
For most users, the upgrade isn't substantial. The performance is similar, and the improvements in the iPhone 14 are incremental. If you prioritize battery life and a brighter display, sticking with the 13 Pro Max is a good choice.
❓ What is the difference in camera quality between the two phones?
The iPhone 14 has a larger main sensor for better low-light performance, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a telephoto lens for greater zoom capabilities. Both record excellent video.