Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Vivo Y36
The Quick Answer
These phones target entirely different market segments.
The Verdict
These phones target entirely different market segments. The iPhone 13 Pro Max commands a $1099 price point with flagship specifications across the board: the A15 Bionic processor delivers exceptional performance, the 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display offers 120Hz LTPO refresh rates and 1000 nits peak brightness, and the camera system captures 4K at 60fps with Dolby Vision ProRes support. IP68 water resistance and premium stainless steel construction justify the premium positioning. The Vivo Y36 operates at a budget-friendly $199, offering surprising value with a larger 6.64-inch display, 90Hz refresh rate, and a respectable 50MP main camera with PDAF. Its 5000mAh battery with 44W fast charging outpaces the iPhone's 4352mAh capacity, and 8GB RAM matches many flagship devices. However, the Snapdragon 680 processor struggles compared to the A15 Bionic, the IPS LCD display lacks OLED's contrast and color accuracy, and the plastic build feels considerably cheaper. Video maxes out at 1080p, and there's no wireless charging or 5G connectivity. Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max for premium performance, durability, and ecosystem integration; select the Vivo Y36 if budget constraints are primary and you need a functional daily driver with decent battery life.
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 Vivo Y36 if…
- →44W fast charging is quick for a budget phone
- →5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
- →50 MP main camera takes acceptable daylight photos
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
Vivo Y36
Pros
- 44W fast charging is quick for a budget phone
- 5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
- 50 MP main camera takes acceptable daylight photos
- 8 GB RAM is generous for the price range
- 90Hz display is smoother than entry-level 60Hz phones
Cons
- No 5G support — 4G LTE only
- No NFC for contactless payments
- Snapdragon 680 is weak for gaming or heavy multitasking
- 2 MP depth sensor adds negligible value
- No water resistance rating
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Vivo Y36 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 13 (Funtouch OS 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 238 g | 190 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm | 164.0 x 76.1 x 8.0 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision ProRes | 1080p@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4352 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 44W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.64 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 2388 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x1.9 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 610 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
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