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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 13
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the flagship option here, boasting a massive 6.7" display and a powerful 48MP camera. If you're budget-conscious, the iPhone 13 still holds its ground with great build quality and solid performance from the A15 chip.
📱 Display: 6.7" vs 6.1"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz🔋 Battery: 4422 mAh vs 3240 mAh
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
★4.8
(895)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro)
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Apple iPhone 13
★4.8
(818)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Apple iPhone 13
6.1"
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)Winner
Apple iPhone 13
60Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple iPhone 13
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
8 GB (LPDDR5)Winner
Apple iPhone 13
4GB LPDDR4X
Storage
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)Winner
Apple iPhone 13
128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)Winner
Apple iPhone 13
12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Apple iPhone 13
12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
4422 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed)Winner
Apple iPhone 13
3,240mAh (approximate)
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Apple iPhone 13
15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
7.81 oz (221 g)
Apple iPhone 13
6.14 oz (174 g)Winner
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
6.29" x 3.02" x 0.32" (159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm)
Apple iPhone 13
5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
Apple iPhone 13
5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
★4.8(895)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 13
★4.8(818)Best Buy
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(895)Best Buy | ★4.8(818)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | iOS |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021) |
Processor | Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5) | 4GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.1" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi) | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz) | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor) | 800 nits (Typical) / 1,200 nits (HDR Peak) |
Main Camera | 48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support | 12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x optical zoom steps (10x optical zoom range) | 2x Optical Zoom Out (0.5x to 1x) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 25x | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; ProRes up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording; Log video recording (ACES compliant); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 4K @ 60fps (Dolby Vision HDR supported); Cinematic mode (1080p @ 30fps) |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps, ProRes support | 12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, 23mm, SL 3D (Biometrics) |
Battery | 4422 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed) | 3,240mAh (approximate) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported | 20W+ Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | 15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade titanium design; Textured matte glass back | IP68 (Maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front |
Dimensions | 6.29" x 3.02" x 0.32" (159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm) |
Weight | 7.81 oz (221 g) | 6.14 oz (174 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Action button; Dynamic Island; Always-On display; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | MagSafe ecosystem support, Stereo speakers, Dual eSIM support |
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Rating:★4.8(895)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x optical zoom steps (10x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 25x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; ProRes up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording; Log video recording (ACES compliant); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps, ProRes support
Battery:4422 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade titanium design; Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.29" x 3.02" x 0.32" (159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.81 oz (221 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Action button; Dynamic Island; Always-On display; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • First iPhone to support Apple Intelligence features
- • 5x optical zoom tetraprism lens significantly improves long-range photography
- • USB-C port with USB 3.0 speeds (10 Gb/s) enables professional workflows
- • Titanium frame makes it lighter and more durable than previous Pro Max models
- • Excellent battery life and Always-On ProMotion display
✗ Cons:
- • Charging speed is capped at 27W wired and 15W wireless (slower than newer models)
- • Base model starts at a higher price point (no 128GB option)
- • Large physical footprint can be difficult to use one-handed
- • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)
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Apple iPhone 13
Rating:★4.8(818)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
RAM:4GB LPDDR4X
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe
Display Size:6.1"
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Resolution:2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60Hz
Peak Brightness:800 nits (Typical) / 1,200 nits (HDR Peak)
Main Camera:12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:2x Optical Zoom Out (0.5x to 1x)
Digital Zoom:Up to 5x
Video Recording:4K @ 60fps (Dolby Vision HDR supported); Cinematic mode (1080p @ 30fps)
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, 23mm, SL 3D (Biometrics)
Battery:3,240mAh (approximate)
Wired Charging:20W+ Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning
Wireless Charging:15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB
USB:Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds)
Durability:IP68 (Maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front
Dimensions:5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm)
Weight:6.14 oz (174 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:MagSafe ecosystem support, Stereo speakers, Dual eSIM support
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating
- • Strong battery life for its size (beat many Android competitors at launch)
- • A15 Bionic chip remains highly capable for everyday tasks and gaming
- • High-quality video recording with Dolby Vision HDR
- • Compact and lightweight 6.1-inch form factor
✗ Cons:
- • Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz)
- • Uses proprietary Lightning port instead of universal USB-C
- • Charging speed is relatively slow (Max ~20-23W)
- • No telephoto lens for optical zoom
- • Cinematic Mode video is limited to 1080p (Pro models support 4K)
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Which one is better?
Grab the iPhone 13 if you want to save money and prefer a lighter device at 6.14 oz compared to the Pro Max's 7.81 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if: you want top-tier photography with a 48MP camera, need longer battery life for heavy usage, or prefer a larger 6.7" display.
Choose the Apple iPhone 13 if: you want a compact 6.1" phone, are looking for a solid daily driver at a lower price, or don't need the latest camera tech.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max excels if you value first iphone to support apple intelligence features. Apple iPhone 13 is better if you prioritize excellent build quality with ceramic shield and ip68 rating. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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