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

Apple's Pro iPhones consistently set the bar for smartphone excellence. The iPhone 14 Pro brought significant upgrades, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a powerhouse. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 Pro offers a brighter display, a more powerful chip, and the Dynamic Island, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts significantly better battery life. If performance and a cutting-edge experience are paramount, the 14 Pro wins. For longevity and value, the 13 Pro Max remains a compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 14 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 - A2890, A28921, 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 - A2890, A28921, 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 - A28911, 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, September 16Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frameGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm (5.81 x 2.81 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
Weight206 g (7.27 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
Resolution1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.7 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
 Always-On display-
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 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 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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple48 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)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/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 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 (L1+L5), 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 3200 mAh (12.38 Wh)Li-Ion 4352 mAh (16.75 Wh)
Misc
ColorsSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep PurpleGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
ModelsA2890, A2650, A2889, A2892, iphone15,2A2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3
Price$ 395.67 / C$ 693.35 / £ 403.99 / € 492.99€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00
SAR1.15 W/kg (head)     1.15 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 86h Endurance rating 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.2 LUFS (Good) -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 968412 (v9) GeekBench: 5346 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

  • Brighter Display
  • More Powerful Chip (A16 Bionic)
  • 48MP Main Camera
  • Dynamic Island
  • Improved Low-Light Photography

  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Higher Price

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • Excellent Performance (A15 Bionic)
  • More Affordable
  • Large Display

  • Less Bright Display
  • Older Chipset
  • No Dynamic Island

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro's display shines with a peak brightness of 1791 nits, significantly outperforming the 13 Pro Max's 1050 nits. This makes the 14 Pro noticeably better in direct sunlight. Both offer excellent color accuracy and infinite contrast ratios, but the 14 Pro's brightness is a clear advantage. The Dynamic Island is also a unique feature on the 14 Pro, replacing the notch with an interactive area.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro's camera system receives a major upgrade with a 48MP main sensor, enabling more detailed photos and improved low-light performance. The Photonic Engine enhances image processing. While the 13 Pro Max's camera is still excellent, the 14 Pro offers noticeable improvements in image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Cinematic mode and ProRes video recording are available on both.

Performance

The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro delivers a performance boost over the A15 Bionic in the 13 Pro Max. While both are incredibly fast, the 14 Pro handles demanding tasks and graphics-intensive games with slightly more ease. Real-world differences are subtle for most users, but the 14 Pro offers a future-proofed performance advantage.

Battery Life

This is where the iPhone 13 Pro Max truly shines. Its endurance rating of 121 hours significantly surpasses the iPhone 14 Pro's 86 hours. Users can expect noticeably longer battery life on the 13 Pro Max, making it ideal for heavy users or those who travel frequently.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPhone 14 Pro? Users seeking the latest technology, a brighter display for outdoor use, and the enhanced camera capabilities (especially the 48MP sensor) will appreciate the 14 Pro. Who should buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max? Those prioritizing battery life, seeking a more affordable premium iPhone, and content with excellent performance will find the 13 Pro Max a great value.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 Pro worth the upgrade from an iPhone 13 Pro Max?
It depends on your priorities. If you value the brightest display, the latest chip, and the improved camera, then yes. If battery life is your top concern and you're on a budget, the 13 Pro Max remains an excellent choice.
❓ Does the iPhone 14 Pro have better video quality than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Both offer excellent video quality, with ProRes recording available. The iPhone 14 Pro's Photonic Engine and improved sensor provide slightly better low-light video performance.