Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 5
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max commands a significant $400 premium with its superior 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display featuring 120Hz LTPO technology and 1000 nits brightness, paired with the blazingly fast A15 Bionic chipset delivering exceptional performance. Google's Pixel 5 offers remarkable value at $699 with a more compact 6.0-inch OLED screen, capable Snapdragon 765G processor, and computational photography that often matches the iPhone's results despite lower megapixel counts. Camera performance heavily favors Apple, featuring a 3x telephoto, 12MP ultrawide, and ProRes video capabilities, while Pixel 5's strength lies in software optimization and Night Sight processing. Battery capacity slightly favors iPhone with 4352mAh versus 4080mAh, though both manage full-day usage. For demanding users prioritizing performance, display quality, and camera versatility, iPhone 13 Pro Max justifies its cost. Budget-conscious buyers seeking excellent daily performance and photography will find Pixel 5 exceptional value.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if…
- →ProMotion 120Hz display arrived for first time on iPhone Pro
- →Best-in-class battery life among 2021 iPhones
- →ProRes video recording up to 4K
Buy the Google Pixel 5 if…
- →Compact and lightweight at 151 g
- →90Hz smooth OLED display
- →Excellent camera with Night Sight and astrophotography
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Pros
- ProMotion 120Hz display arrived for first time on iPhone Pro
- Best-in-class battery life among 2021 iPhones
- ProRes video recording up to 4K
- Macro photography with ultrawide camera
- Cinematic mode for shallow depth-of-field video
Cons
- Very heavy at 238 g
- Notch still present despite slimmed-down design
- Lightning connector limiting transfer speeds
- Large size is unwieldy for smaller hands
Google Pixel 5
Pros
- Compact and lightweight at 151 g
- 90Hz smooth OLED display
- Excellent camera with Night Sight and astrophotography
- Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging
- IP68 water resistance
Cons
- Mid-range Snapdragon 765G in a $699 phone
- No telephoto camera
- 8 MP selfie camera is dated
- Only 128 GB storage option
- Bio-resin coating scratches easily
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Google Pixel 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 238 g | 151 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Aluminum unibody, bio-resin coating |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision ProRes | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4352 mAh | 4080 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 18W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 12W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.0 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | OLED |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 1x2.2 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 620 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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