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

Apple's iPhone lineup consistently sets the standard for smartphones. The iPhone 14 Plus offers a larger screen and improved battery life, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a powerhouse with a stunning display and exceptional camera capabilities. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you determine which device is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max edges out the iPhone 14 Plus thanks to its brighter display and slightly longer battery life. While the 14 Plus offers a larger screen, the 13 Pro Max's overall package, especially its display quality, makes it the stronger contender for most users. However, the 14 Plus might be a better value if budget is a primary concern.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 14 Plus 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 - A2886, A28881, 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, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2886, A28881, 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, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A28871, 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
Announced2022, September 072021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 07Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 in)160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 in)
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)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight203 g (7.16 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)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, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 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 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual12 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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-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, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), 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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF 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
Bluetooth5.3, 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) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)Ultra 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 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)Li-Ion 4352 mAh (16.75 Wh)
Misc
ColorsMidnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, YellowGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
ModelsA2886, A2632, A2885, A2888, A2887, iphone14,8A2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3
Price€ 391.58 / $ 329.97 / £ 335.00€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00
SAR1.14 W/kg (head)     1.15 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 102h Endurance rating 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.7 LUFS (Very good) -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 797976 (v9) GeekBench: 4582 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

  • Larger display (6.7 inches)
  • Excellent battery life (102h)
  • Improved image processing
  • Modern iOS features

  • Slightly dimmer display than 13 Pro Max
  • Camera not quite as advanced as 13 Pro Max
  • Charging speed remains at 15W

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Brighter display (1050 nits)
  • Slightly longer battery life (121h)
  • Superior camera hardware
  • Premium build quality

  • Older model
  • Potentially higher price on the used market
  • Charging speed remains at 15W

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 contrast (infinite nominal), but the 13 Pro Max's higher brightness provides a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Both have the same resolution, but the 13 Pro Max's brightness gives it an edge.

Camera Comparison

While both offer excellent photo and video capabilities, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a slight advantage. It features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and improved low-light performance. The 14 Plus has improved image processing, but the 13 Pro Max's hardware gives it a slight edge in overall image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Cinematic mode is available on both.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, so performance is remarkably similar. You'll experience smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and excellent gaming performance on both devices. While the 14 Plus has a slightly newer iOS version, the A15 is still incredibly powerful and capable of handling anything you throw at it. Differences in real-world usage will be minimal.

Battery Life

The iPhone 13 Pro Max holds a slight advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 121 hours compared to the iPhone 14 Plus's 102 hours. While the 14 Plus's battery is still excellent, the 13 Pro Max's larger capacity provides a bit more peace of mind for heavy users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPhone 14 Plus? Users prioritizing a large screen and extended battery life on a slightly tighter budget. Who should buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max? Users who demand the best possible display quality, a slightly longer battery life, and don't mind paying a premium for a proven flagship.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 Plus worth it if I already have an iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Probably not. The upgrades are incremental and unlikely to justify an upgrade unless you specifically need the larger screen or improved battery life.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
Both offer excellent video recording, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max's slightly more advanced camera hardware gives it a marginal edge in overall quality and low-light performance.