Nokia G50 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: A Clash of Titans

The smartphone landscape is vast, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we pit a budget-friendly contender, the Nokia G50, against a premium powerhouse, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max. Can the G50 hold its own against Apple's flagship?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 Pro Max unequivocally wins this comparison. While the Nokia G50 offers affordability and 5G connectivity, the iPhone's superior performance, camera quality, display, and battery life make it the clear champion for users prioritizing a premium experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia G50 Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU, ROW, ChinaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EU, ROW, China1, 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, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - EU, ROW, China1, 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, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 2, 5, 7, 38, 41, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - NA1, 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 222021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 13Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions173.8 x 77.7 x 8.9 mm (6.84 x 3.06 x 0.35 in)160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~252 ppi density)1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 114.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 -NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single8 MP, (wide)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens12 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)
Video1080p@30fps4K@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
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, (wide)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGLightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging18W wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4352 mAh (16.75 Wh)
Misc
ColorsMidnight Sun, Ocean BlueGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
ModelsTA-1358, TA-1390, TA-1370, TA-1367, TA-1361A2643, A2484, A2641, A2644, A2645, iphone14,3
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 423.38 / $ 394.86 / £ 355.00
SAR0.79 W/kg (head)     0.96 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.15 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 121h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 801691 (v9) GeekBench: 4706 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Nokia G50

  • Affordable
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Decent Battery Life
  • Reliable Brand

  • Underpowered Processor
  • Mediocre Camera
  • Average Display
  • Slow Charging

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Exceptional Performance
  • Stunning Camera System
  • Vibrant Display
  • Long Battery Life
  • Fast Charging (wired & wireless)
  • Premium Build Quality

  • Expensive
  • Limited Customization
  • No Expandable Storage

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a significantly brighter display (1050 nits vs. G50's likely 450-500 nits) with a superior contrast ratio (infinite vs. typical LCD). Color accuracy and overall visual quality are vastly better on the iPhone. The G50's display is adequate for everyday use but lacks the premium feel.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 13 Pro Max's camera system is renowned for its exceptional image quality, video recording capabilities, and advanced features like Cinematic mode. The Nokia G50's camera is decent for its price range but falls far short of the iPhone's performance in terms of detail, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities.

Performance

The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 Pro Max is in a different league compared to the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia G50. Expect lightning-fast app loading, smooth multitasking, and effortless gaming on the iPhone. The G50 can handle basic tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

While both phones offer excellent battery life (121h endurance rating), the iPhone 13 Pro Max's optimized software and efficient chip contribute to consistently strong performance. The G50's battery life is good, but the iPhone's charging speeds (wired and wireless) provide added convenience.

Buying Guide

The Nokia G50 is ideal for budget-conscious users who need 5G and a reliable, basic smartphone experience. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is for those who demand top-tier performance, a stunning camera system, a vibrant display, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nokia G50 a good phone for basic use?
Yes, the Nokia G50 is a capable phone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and social media, especially if you're on a tight budget.
❓ Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max worth the price?
If you prioritize top-tier performance, a premium camera, and a stunning display, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a worthwhile investment. However, it's a significant expense.
❓ Can the Nokia G50 handle gaming?
The Nokia G50 can handle some casual games, but it will struggle with graphically demanding titles. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is significantly better suited for gaming.
❓ Does the Nokia G50 have expandable storage?
Yes, the Nokia G50 typically supports microSD card expansion, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max does not.