iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Plus: A Detailed Showdown

Apple's iPhone lineup offers incredible devices, but choosing between them can be tough. The iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a powerhouse, while the iPhone 14 Plus brings a larger screen and extended battery life. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max edges out the iPhone 14 Plus thanks to its significantly brighter display and slightly better overall performance. However, the iPhone 14 Plus offers a larger screen and comparable battery life at a potentially lower price, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple iPhone 14 Plus
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 - A2886, A2888
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 - A2886, A2888
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 - A2887
Launch
Announced2021, September 142022, September 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2022, October 07
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)160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 3.07 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)203 g (7.16 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)1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% 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 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenMidnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, Yellow
ModelsA2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3A2886, A2632, A2885, A2888, A2887, iphone14,8
Price€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00€ 391.58 / $ 329.97 / £ 335.00
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)1.14 W/kg (head)     1.15 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 102h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.0 LUFS (Very good) -24.7 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 797976 (v9) GeekBench: 4582 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Brighter Display
  • Slightly Better Performance
  • Telephoto Lens
  • Excellent Battery Life

  • Higher Price
  • Older Model

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

  • Larger Screen
  • Comparable Battery Life
  • Potentially Lower Price
  • Improved Low-Light Camera (Slightly)

  • Less Bright Display
  • Slightly Slower Performance (Marginal)
  • No Telephoto Lens

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a significantly brighter display at 1050 nits compared to the iPhone 14 Plus's 797 nits. This difference is noticeable, especially in direct sunlight. Both offer excellent color accuracy and sharpness, but the 13 Pro Max provides a more vibrant viewing experience. Both have a ProMotion display with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer excellent camera systems capable of capturing stunning photos and videos. The iPhone 14 Plus introduced a larger main sensor, improving low-light performance slightly. The 13 Pro Max has a telephoto lens offering greater zoom capabilities. Cinematic mode is available on both.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the A15 Bionic chip, so performance is remarkably similar. You'll experience smooth multitasking and responsive app usage on both devices. While the 13 Pro Max might have a slight edge due to potentially better thermal management, the difference is minimal in everyday use.

Battery Life

The iPhone 13 Pro Max holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, with an endurance rating of 121 hours compared to the iPhone 14 Plus's 102 hours. Both offer all-day battery life for most users, but the 13 Pro Max can stretch further.

Buying Guide

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is ideal for users who prioritize display quality, top-tier performance, and don't mind paying a premium. The iPhone 14 Plus is a great choice for those seeking a large screen, long battery life, and a more affordable entry point into the iPhone ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 Plus worth it if I already have an iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Unless you specifically need a larger screen or are looking to save money, the upgrade isn't significant enough to justify the cost. The performance and camera differences are minimal.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
Both offer excellent video recording. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a slight edge due to its telephoto lens, allowing for better zoomed video. Cinematic mode is available on both.