Apple iPhone 13 vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Both phones share Apple's A15 Bionic processor and iOS 15 foundation, but differ significantly in premium features and price. iPhone 13 offers a compact 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 60Hz refresh rate, dual cameras (12MP main + ultrawide), and 3227mAh battery with 20W charging—solid performance for $799. iPhone 13 Pro Max justifies its $1,099 premium with a larger 6.7-inch 120Hz LTPO display, three-camera system including 3x telephoto, 4352mAh battery supporting faster 27W charging, and 6GB RAM versus 4GB. ProRes video recording elevates the Pro Max for content creators. For everyday users prioritizing value, the iPhone 13 delivers excellent performance and camera quality. Creative professionals and those wanting larger screens with adaptive refresh rates should choose the Pro Max, accepting the 64g weight penalty and premium pricing.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 13 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | iOS 15 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 174 g | 238 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Stainless steel frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision ProRes |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP 3x |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3227 mAh | 4352 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 27W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2778 x 1284 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 13
Pros
- Significantly improved battery life over iPhone 12
- Cinematic mode for video storytelling
- Strong A15 Bionic chip handles anything
- Bright and vibrant OLED panel
- Solid value compared to Pro tier
Cons
- Only 60Hz display while Android rivals offered 120Hz
- Lightning connector showing its age
- Notch remains largely unchanged
- No telephoto camera
- USB 2.0 transfer speeds over Lightning
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
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