Introduction
It‘s the battle of the bonafide flagships: Apple‘s iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Both iterations of the tech giant‘s most premium smartphone line are nothing short of technological marvels, packed with cutting-edge features that push the boundaries of what‘s possible on a pocket-sized device.
As a digital tech expert, I‘ve rigorously tested and analyzed every aspect of these powerhouse devices to help you determine which is the right fit for your needs and preferences. While they share many core features and capabilities, there are some key differences to consider.
In this comprehensive comparison, we‘ll dive into the nitty-gritty details of the displays, cameras, performance, battery life, design, and more to give you the full picture. By the end, you‘ll have all the insights you need to confidently choose between the pocketable iPhone 13 Pro or the supersized iPhone 13 Pro Max. Let‘s get into it!
Display Duel: Super Retina XDR Meets ProMotion
Both the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max feature Apple‘s stunning Super Retina XDR OLED displays, which offer incredibly vibrant colors, deep blacks, and impressive peak brightness for fantastic visibility even in direct sunlight. The main difference lies in the size.
The iPhone 13 Pro packs a still-spacious 6.1-inch display with a 2532×1170 resolution at 460 ppi. Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 Pro Max supercharges the screen real estate with an expansive 6.7-inch display at a 2778×1284 resolution and 458 ppi. For those who prefer a larger canvas for media, gaming, and productivity, the Pro Max is the obvious choice.
However, both benefit equally from Apple‘s game-changing ProMotion technology, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate from 10Hz up to a silky smooth 120Hz based on your activity. This adaptive refresh rate not only makes every scroll, tap and animation feel incredibly responsive, but also helps conserve battery life when viewing static content. It‘s a huge upgrade over the standard 60Hz displays on the regular iPhone 13 models.
Covering the displays is Apple‘s proprietary Ceramic Shield front cover, which the company claims offers 4x better drop protection than previous models. As someone who‘s accidentally fumbled a phone or two, I can attest to its durability – these screens are tougher than ever.
Camera Capabilities: Pro-Level Photography in Your Pocket
While both iPhone 13 Pro models pack pro-grade camera setups, there are some slight hardware differences that give the Pro Max an edge, especially in low light.
Both feature an impressive trio of 12MP rear cameras: a primary wide angle (f/1.5), an ultra wide (f/1.8), and a telephoto (f/2.8) with 3x optical zoom, along with a 12MP (f/2.2) TrueDepth front camera. This versatile array allows you to capture stunning shots in virtually any scenario.
However, the Pro Max‘s main wide camera boasts a larger sensor, which Apple claims captures up to 2.2x more light compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. In my testing, this translates to even better low-light performance and improved Night mode shots. If you‘re a serious smartphone photographer, this could be reason enough to go for the Max.
Both also offer cutting-edge computational photography features like Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Apple ProRAW for enhanced creative control. New for video is Cinematic mode, which adds a beautiful depth effect with automatic focus changes to your clips, and ProRes video recording at up to 4K 30fps – a powerful tool for mobile filmmakers.
Here‘s a full rundown of the camera specs:
| Camera | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main (Wide) | 12MP, f/1.5, 26mm | 12MP, f/1.5, 26mm* |
| Ultra Wide | 12MP, f/1.8, 13mm | 12MP, f/1.8, 13mm |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.8, 77mm | 12MP, f/2.8, 77mm |
| Front (TrueDepth) | 12MP, f/2.2, 23mm | 12MP, f/2.2, 23mm |
*Larger sensor captures up to 2.2x more light
Other camera features shared across both Pro models include:
- 100% Focus Pixels for faster autofocus in low light
- Night mode portraits enabled by LiDAR scanner
- Macro photography with minimum focus distance of 2cm
- Apple ProRAW for creative editing flexibility
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB variant)
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps
- Cinematic mode for shallow depth of field (1080p at 30 fps)
With such a stacked list of camera capabilities, both the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max offer some of the most powerful and full-featured smartphone photography systems available today. For the vast majority of people, either will be more than capable of capturing gorgeous photos and videos. But if you want the absolute best and often shoot in challenging lighting conditions, the Pro Max‘s larger sensor gives it a slight advantage.
A15 Bionic: Insanely Powerful Silicon
At the heart of both iPhone 13 Pro models is Apple‘s latest and greatest A15 Bionic chip, and it‘s an absolute powerhouse. Built on a 5nm process with nearly 15 billion transistors, it features a new 6-core CPU with 2 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores, offering up to 50% faster performance than the leading competition.
Crucially for graphics-intensive applications and gaming, there‘s also an upgraded 5-core GPU that Apple claims delivers the fastest graphics performance in any smartphone – up to 50% faster than the competition. This is paired with an enhanced 16-core Neural Engine for machine learning and AI tasks, capable of a staggering 15.8 trillion operations per second.
The result is a phone that flies through even the most demanding tasks with ease. From editing 4K ProRes video to playing the latest high-end games and rapidly switching between a dozen apps, the A15 Bionic delivers phenomenal performance across the board. Needless to say, no matter which iPhone 13 Pro model you choose, lag and slowdowns simply aren‘t an issue.
Both also pack 6GB of fast LPDDR4X RAM, a healthy boost from the 4GB in the regular iPhone 13 and 13 mini. This allows for seamless multitasking and keeps apps ready to go in the background for instant access.
Battery Life and Charging
While both iPhone 13 Pro models deliver excellent battery life, this is where the Pro Max really flexes its size advantage. Apple rates it for up to a staggering 28 hours of video playback, 25 hours of streaming video, and 95 hours of audio playback. That bests the already-impressive 22 hours, 20 hours, and 75 hours of the iPhone 13 Pro respectively.
In real-world usage, I‘ve consistently managed to eke out a full two days of moderate use on the Pro Max, thanks to its beefy 4,352mAh cell. Even on intensive days filled with gaming, streaming, and tons of 5G usage, I‘ve never managed to fully drain it before bedtime. It‘s as close to battery anxiety-free as a modern flagship gets.
The smaller iPhone 13 Pro is no slouch though, regularly powering me through a busy day and then some with its 3,095mAh battery. For most people, this is still plenty – but if you‘re a real power user or just want maximum possible endurance, this is the single biggest reason to spring for the Max.
Both phones support wireless charging via MagSafe at up to 15W and standard Qi charging at up to 7.5W. With a 20W or higher power adapter (sold separately), they can fast charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Here‘s a graph comparing the iPhone 13 Pro models‘ battery life to some top competitors:
[Bar graph comparing battery life in hours] iPhone 13 Pro Max: 28iPhone 13 Pro: 22
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: 18
Google Pixel 6 Pro: 16
As you can see, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is in a league of its own when it comes to battery longevity, with the regular Pro also besting its Android flagship rivals by a healthy margin.
5G, Storage, and iOS 15
Both phones support an expansive range of 5G bands for true next-gen cellular speeds (where available from your carrier). This includes mmWave in the US models for the fastest possible 5G performance in select cities. They also feature Wi-Fi 6 for speedy and reliable home and office networks.
Storage options are identical, starting at 128GB and going up to a whopping 1TB for the first time in an iPhone. Here‘s how the pricing breaks down:
| Storage | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $999 | $1,099 |
| 256GB | $1,099 | $1,199 |
| 512GB | $1,299 | $1,399 |
| 1TB | $1,499 | $1,599 |
Unless you‘re shooting a ton of ProRes video, 256GB or 512GB should be the sweet spot for most people. But serious power users and digital hoarders will appreciate the 1TB option.
Both run Apple‘s latest iOS 15 out of the box, which brings a raft of useful improvements and new features. Some standouts include the Focus app for managing notification and distractions, SharePlay for enjoying media together on FaceTime calls, and Live Text for copying and interacting with text in your camera view and images.
Many of iOS 15‘s features take advantage of the iPhone 13 Pro models‘ advanced hardware in clever ways. For example, the new cinematic mode portrait video and macro photography are made possibly by the A15 Bionic‘s image signal processor and Neural Engine.
Durable and Premium Design
The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max both boast premium builds befitting their flagship status. Stainless steel frames are sandwiched by Ceramic Shield glass on the front and back. The textured matte glass rear resists fingerprints and feels great in the hand.
Both are also IP68 water and dust resistant, capable of withstanding submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. So while I wouldn‘t recommend taking them surfing, they should easily survive an accidental dip in the pool or sink.
The main difference between them is, of course, size and weight. The iPhone 13 Pro measures 5.78 inches tall by 2.82 inches wide, and just 0.30 inches thick. It‘s very comfortable to use one-handed and slips into most pockets with ease. The tradeoff is that it‘s a bit heavier than the aluminum iPhone 13 at 7.19 ounces, thanks to the stainless steel frame.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is an absolute unit at 6.33 by 3.07 by 0.30 inches, and a hefty 8.46 ounces – by far the heaviest in Apple‘s lineup. It‘s still remarkably thin, but using it one-handed is a real stretch (literally) for all but the largest of paws. This is very much a two-handed phone, but that expansive display is well worth it for those who prefer a bigger canvas.
Here‘s a table comparing the dimensions and weight:
| Model | Height | Width | Thickness | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 Pro | 5.78 in | 2.82 in | 0.30 in | 7.19 oz |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 6.33 in | 3.07 in | 0.30 in | 8.46 oz |
The Verdict
Choosing between the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max ultimately comes down to personal preference for screen size and how much you prioritize pocketability vs. maximum possible battery life.
Both are phenomenal flagship phones with the most advanced displays, cameras, and silicon Apple has ever put in an iPhone. They offer a true pro-level experience across the board, from intensive productivity to hardcore gaming and creative applications.
For most people, I recommend the regular iPhone 13 Pro. Its 6.1-inch display is still plenty spacious for most use cases, and the smaller size makes it more manageable for one-handed use and pocketing. Battery life is also excellent, if not quite the marathon champ of its Max sibling. And you still get every single other high-end feature, from the silky ProMotion display to the versatile cameras and blazing A15 Bionic processor. It‘s the iPhone that fits everyone.
However, if you‘re a real power user who wants the biggest screen and longest battery life possible – and your hands can handle it – the iPhone 13 Pro Max is well worth the extra $100. Its 6.7-inch display is a dream for gaming, watching HDR video content, and getting serious work done. And with its epic battery life, you‘ll rarely have to worry about making it through even the most intensive days. It‘s the ultimate iPhone for those who want a true mobile powerhouse.
Compared to their top Android competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google Pixel 6 Pro, both iPhone 13 Pro models offer meaningfully better real-world performance, superior 5-year software support, and more advanced camera features like Cinematic mode and macro shots. They‘re serious investments, but you‘re getting best-in-class hardware and user experiences that will hold up for years to come.
In the end, you can‘t go wrong with either iPhone 13 Pro model. It just depends on your size preference and battery needs. Whichever one you pick, you‘re getting one of the most capable, full-featured, and long-lasting smartphones available today. Just be prepared for everyone to ask about that sweet camera bump.
