iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max
Choosing within a single family usually comes down to a handful of specs, and the iPhone 13 versus the iPhone 13 Pro Max is no exception. On balance, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the stronger package: it leads in 4 out of 5 areas, most clearly in display. The iPhone 13 launched $300 lower than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, so every advantage on the pricier side has to earn its keep.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 13 Pro Max wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 13 Pro Max wins
- Camera iPhone 13 Pro Max wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 13 Pro Max wins
- Price iPhone 13 wins
- Display2.1
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera0.9
- Battery & Charging1.7
- Display4.2
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera1.6
- Battery & Charging3.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
Not a close call. The iPhone 13 Pro Max lists 120 Hz and the iPhone 13 lists 60 Hz. That’s a substantial gap. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
-
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has 9 h more rated video playback
Among all the differences on this page, 28 h against 19 h is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
-
The iPhone 13 has a 2.33 oz lighter build
The iPhone 13 Pro Max gives up a lot on weight: 8.47 oz, compared with 6.14 oz on the iPhone 13. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has an extra rear camera
Few buyers will miss this one. The iPhone 13 Pro Max brings 3 to the table; the iPhone 13 brings 2. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s extra lens adds.
-
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 0.6-inch larger screen
The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes out larger here (6.7 in versus 6.1 in), which is neither a plus nor a minus on its own. Screen size is personal. If you watch a lot on your phone, the extra area pays off; if you text one-handed on the go, compact is kinder.
Design & Size
- iPhone 13 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.30 in
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 6.33 in × 3.07 in × 0.30 in
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is physically larger, so the iPhone 13 will be the easier fit wherever space is limited. Weight-conscious buyers will note the iPhone 13’s 2.33 oz advantage.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.07 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz (winner) | 8.47 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
Display
iPhone 13 Pro Max leads
Here the iPhone 13 Pro Max opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The iPhone 13 Pro Max makes its case with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the iPhone 13 Pro Max feels more fluid in everyday use. That makes the iPhone 13 Pro Max the natural choice for buyers focused on display.
Refresh rate
iPhone 13: 60 Hz iPhone 13 Pro Max: 120 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Screen size
iPhone 13: 6.1 in iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6.7 in A larger display also means a larger phone overall, so this is as much about your hands and pockets as it is about the picture.
Performance
Too close to call
The differences on performance are small enough to ignore in daily use. Net result on performance: level.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 13 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 13 Pro Max edges the memory & storage section, though the iPhone 13 stays close. The iPhone 13 Pro Max scores with a bigger top storage option. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone. If memory & storage is your priority, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the phone to pick.
Max storage
iPhone 13: 512 GB iPhone 13 Pro Max: 1 TB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
iPhone 13 Pro Max leads
If you’re keeping score, the camera point goes narrowly to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 Pro Max gives you an extra rear camera. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing. The camera verdict goes to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Rear cameras
iPhone 13: 2 iPhone 13 Pro Max: 3 The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max gives you more lenses to choose from.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 13 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 13 is outclassed on battery & charging; the iPhone 13 Pro Max leads by a clear margin. The iPhone 13 Pro Max brings 9 h more rated video playback. More rated playback suggests the iPhone 13 Pro Max lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming. Net result: the iPhone 13 Pro Max leads this part of the comparison.
Rated video playback
iPhone 13: 19 h iPhone 13 Pro Max: 28 h Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size.
Software & Updates
On software & updates, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2778 x 1284 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 458 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 1,200 nits |
| Always-on display | No | No |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 19 h | 28 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | Lightning | Lightning |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 15 | iOS 15 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.07 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz (winner) | 8.47 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $1,099 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price alone could settle this for some buyers, with the iPhone 13 launching $300 lower, a gap of 38%. The extra $300 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max buys a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 9 h more rated video playback.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2021. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 13 if…
- you want the lighter phone (6.14 oz vs 8.47 oz)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($300 less)
- you want the more compact phone
Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the longer rated endurance (28 h vs 19 h)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if your top priority is a 2.33 oz lighter build.
Which has better battery life, the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes out ahead on rated video playback, with 28 h compared with 19 h on the iPhone 13.
Is the iPhone 13 bigger than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max takes that one. With dimensions of 6.33 × 3.07 × 0.30 in, it is larger than the iPhone 13 (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.30 in).
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the edge for photography, offering an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 13’s display better than the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s?
On display specs, the iPhone 13 Pro Max leads thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz.
Is the iPhone 13 cheaper than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
At launch, the iPhone 13 undercut the iPhone 13 Pro Max by $300. These figures are as of September 2021, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
Let’s talk about the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Same family, but I don’t think they’re made for exactly the same person. My main argument for the iPhone 13 Pro Max? It comes with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A second point goes to the iPhone 13 Pro Max for 9 h more rated video playback. Fairness check: the iPhone 13 does come with a 2.33 oz lighter build.
The iPhone 13 is built for people who weigh portability heavily, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max for people who weigh display.
My pick: the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 only comes out ahead if you care more about a 2.33 oz lighter build than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.