Apple iPhone 13 vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
iPhone 13 delivers flagship performance at a mid-range price with solid fundamentals: A15 Bionic processing, excellent 6.1-inch OLED display (800 nits), and capable dual camera system with 12MP main and ultrawide. iPhone 15 Pro Max commands premium pricing ($1199) with substantial upgrades including A17 Pro chip, 48MP main camera with 5x telephoto, larger 6.7-inch display with 120Hz refresh and 2000-nit peak brightness, 8GB RAM, and USB-C connectivity. Battery capacity jumps from 3227mAh to 4422mAh. For everyday photography and performance, iPhone 13 provides excellent value; professionals and enthusiasts benefit from Pro Max's advanced computational photography, brighter display, and extended zoom capabilities. iPhone 13 remains the better recommendation for most users seeking proven reliability at $400 less.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 13 | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | iOS 17 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 174 g | 221 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Titanium frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP 5x |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3227 mAh | 4422 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 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (6-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A17 Pro |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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 15 Pro Max
Pros
- First Apple titanium frame, lighter than predecessor
- Powerful A17 Pro chip with hardware ray tracing
- New 5x tetraprism telephoto camera
- USB-C with USB 3 transfer speeds
- Excellent ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Heavy device despite titanium
- No charging speed improvements
- Initial overheating reports at launch
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