iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: A Detailed Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max are both premium smartphones, but which one offers the best value? Both boast impressive features, but subtle upgrades in the 14 Pro Max might sway your decision. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right device for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a brighter display, a slightly faster processor, and improved camera capabilities, particularly in low light. However, the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a powerhouse and offers excellent value, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. The 14 Pro Max is the clear winner for those prioritizing the latest tech.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple iPhone 14 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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2894, A2896
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 - A2894, A2896
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 - A2895
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, stainless steel frame
Dimensions160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 in)160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 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)240 g (8.47 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)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
 -Always-On display
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A16 Bionic (4 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, 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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) 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)48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel 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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 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 (L1+L5), 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 GreenSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
ModelsA2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3
Price€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00€ 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)1.15 W/kg (head)     1.07 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 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.0 LUFS (Very good) -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Excellent camera system
  • Powerful A15 Bionic chip
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Long battery life
  • Premium build quality

  • Older design (notch)
  • Slightly less powerful than A16
  • Charging speed could be faster

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • Brighter display (1760 nits)
  • Faster A16 Bionic chip
  • Improved camera with 48MP sensor
  • Dynamic Island
  • Excellent low-light performance

  • Higher price
  • Incremental upgrade over 13 Pro Max
  • Charging speed remains the same

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a significant upgrade in display brightness, reaching a measured 1760 nits compared to the 13 Pro Max's 1050 nits. This makes the 14 Pro Max noticeably better in direct sunlight. Both phones feature excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal) and ProMotion technology (adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz) for smooth scrolling. The Dynamic Island on the 14 Pro Max is a new feature that replaces the notch and offers interactive notifications and activities.

Camera Comparison

Both phones have excellent camera systems, but the iPhone 14 Pro Max introduces a larger 48MP main sensor, enabling more detailed photos and improved low-light performance. The 14 Pro Max also features improved image processing and a new Photonic Engine. Cinematic mode and ProRes video recording are available on both devices. The 14 Pro Max also has an improved front-facing camera with autofocus.

Performance

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's A16 Bionic chip (4nm) provides a performance edge over the iPhone 13 Pro Max's A15 Bionic (5nm). While both chips are incredibly fast, the A16 offers slightly improved CPU and GPU performance, especially noticeable in demanding games and applications. Both phones handle everyday tasks with ease.

Battery Life

Despite both phones having an endurance rating of 121h, real-world battery performance can vary. The slightly more efficient A16 chip in the 14 Pro Max *may* offer marginally better battery life under heavy usage, but the difference is likely to be minimal. Both phones easily last a full day for most users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max? Users seeking a premium iPhone experience without the latest bells and whistles, and those looking for a great deal on a proven device. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max? Users who demand the absolute best display, performance, and camera technology, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth the upgrade from the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
It depends on your priorities. If you want the brightest display, best camera, and latest features like the Dynamic Island, then yes. Otherwise, the 13 Pro Max remains a fantastic phone and offers excellent value.
❓ What is the Dynamic Island?
The Dynamic Island is a redesigned area at the top of the iPhone 14 Pro Max's display that replaces the notch. It dynamically adapts and expands to show alerts, notifications, and activities in a visually engaging way.