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

The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are both exceptional smartphones, boasting Apple's powerful A15 Bionic chip and stunning camera systems. But with different sizes and battery capacities, choosing between them can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you make the right decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max takes the crown for those prioritizing battery life and a larger display. However, the iPhone 13 Pro offers a more pocketable size and similar performance, making it a compelling choice for users who value portability. Both deliver a premium iPhone experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Pro Apple iPhone 13 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 - A2638, A2639, A26401, 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, A2645
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2638, A26391, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2643, A2644
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 - A26361, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2641
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
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 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
Resolution1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% 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, 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 3095 mAh (12.11 Wh)Li-Ion 4352 mAh (16.75 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
ModelsA2638, A2483, A2636, A2639, A2640, iPhone14,2A2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3
Price€ 398.00 / $ 365.86 / £ 300.00€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00
SAR1.20 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 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 85h Endurance rating 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.9 LUFS (Very good) -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 794348 (v9) GeekBench: 4687 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

  • More compact and pocketable
  • Slightly lighter weight
  • Excellent performance
  • Stunning camera system
  • Bright and vibrant display

  • Shorter battery life compared to Pro Max
  • Smaller display

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

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

  • Larger and heavier
  • Less pocketable

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (120Hz adaptive refresh rate). The 13 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display compared to the 13 Pro's 6.1-inch. While the peak brightness is slightly higher on the 13 Pro (1063 nits vs 1050 nits), the difference is negligible in real-world use. The larger screen of the Pro Max offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.

Camera Comparison

The camera systems are virtually identical, featuring a triple-lens setup (Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto). Both capture stunning photos and videos with excellent dynamic range and detail. The larger sensor on the Pro Max *might* offer a slight advantage in low-light conditions, but it's minimal. Cinematic mode for video recording is available on both.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the same Apple A15 Bionic chip, ensuring identical performance. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is seamless, and demanding games run flawlessly on both. There's no discernible difference in speed or responsiveness.

Battery Life

This is where the biggest difference lies. The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a significantly larger battery, resulting in a substantially longer endurance rating (121h vs 85h). Users can easily get through a full day of heavy usage on the Pro Max, while the 13 Pro might require a top-up for those who are power users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro? Users who prefer a more compact phone, appreciate a slightly lighter feel, and don't need the absolute longest battery life. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max? Those who prioritize a large, immersive display, extended battery life for heavy usage, and don't mind a larger device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max worth the extra cost?
If battery life and a larger display are your top priorities, then yes. Otherwise, the iPhone 13 Pro offers excellent value with its more compact size and similar performance.
❓ Do both phones have the same camera features?
Yes, both phones share the same triple-lens camera system and feature set, including Cinematic mode and Photographic Styles.