iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: A Detailed Showdown

Apple's iPhone lineup consistently sets the standard for smartphones. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 Pro Max are both excellent devices, but cater to slightly different needs. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you determine which one is the best fit for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max ultimately edges out the iPhone 14 due to its superior battery life and brighter display. While the iPhone 14 offers incremental improvements, the 13 Pro Max provides more value for its price, especially considering current discounts. Both offer excellent performance and cameras.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 14 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 - A2882, A28841, 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 - A2882, A28841, 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 - A28831, 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, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm (5.78 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
Weight172 g (6.07 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, 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 3279 mAh (12.68 Wh)Li-Ion 4352 mAh (16.75 Wh)
Misc
ColorsMidnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, YellowGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
ModelsA2882, A2649, A2881, A2884, A2883, iphone14,7A2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3
Price€ 344.00 / $ 277.58 / £ 300.00 / ₹ 64,900€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00
SAR1.15 W/kg (head)     1.16 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 90h Endurance rating 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 817125 (v9) GeekBench: 4761 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 14

  • Slightly newer design
  • Improved image processing (Photonic Engine)
  • Good performance

  • Shorter battery life
  • Less bright display
  • Incremental upgrades over previous models

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Excellent battery life
  • Brighter display
  • Larger screen
  • Often available at a lower price

  • Slightly older design
  • No significant performance boost over previous A15 models

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a significantly brighter display at 1050 nits peak brightness compared to the iPhone 14's 804 nits. While both offer excellent color accuracy and contrast (both listed as 'Infinite' nominal), the 13 Pro Max's extra brightness makes it more comfortable to use outdoors. Both utilize Super Retina XDR OLED technology.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature excellent camera systems. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a triple-lens setup with a larger sensor on the main camera, potentially leading to better low-light performance. The iPhone 14 has improved image processing and a new Photonic Engine for better low-light photos, but the 13 Pro Max's hardware advantage remains. Both record excellent video.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, meaning performance is remarkably similar. You won't notice a significant difference in everyday tasks or even demanding games. The iPhone 14 might have slightly better thermal management due to its design, but it's a marginal difference.

Battery Life

This is where the iPhone 13 Pro Max truly shines. Its endurance rating of 121 hours significantly surpasses the iPhone 14's 90 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the 13 Pro Max, especially for heavy users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPhone 14? Users looking for a slightly more modern design and a newer model, but not necessarily needing the absolute best battery life or display. Who should buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max? Users prioritizing battery life, a brighter screen, and a larger display, and who are looking for a great value proposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 worth the upgrade from an iPhone 13 Pro Max?
For most users, the upgrade isn't significant enough to justify the cost. The iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a fantastic device with excellent battery life and a bright display.
❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
While both are good, the iPhone 13 Pro Max's larger main sensor gives it a slight edge in low-light photography.
❓ Do both phones support 5G?
Yes, both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 Pro Max support 5G connectivity.