Last year, Apple introduced iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max models that feature a long battery life, better cameras, the A15 Bionic chip, and a ProMotion display. But what’s the difference between these top-of-the-line options from Apple, and which one’s right for you?
The main difference between the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max is that the former has a 6.1-inch display, while the latter has a 6.7-inch display. The Pro Max also has a bigger battery that provides up to 28 hours of video playback. The 13 Pro offers only 22 hours of video playback.
Let’s take a closer look at how the two models compare in terms of size, battery life, camera quality, and pricing to understand the similarities and differences between the two. We’ll also take a look at other differences between the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max so that you make the right choice.
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Size
Perhaps the most significant difference between the two models is in the size. The iPhone 13 Pro (on Amazon) features a 6.1-inch display, while the 13 Pro Max (also on Amazon) features a 6.7-inch display size.
So, with the 13 Pro Max, you’ll get a better viewing experience thanks to the larger screen. The UI elements of the apps will also be spaced further apart and items like the keyboard will appear much bigger.
At the same time, the smaller model is much easier to use, even with just one hand. For instance, with the smaller phone, it’ll be much easier to open the Control Center from the top. Plus, many users feel much more comfortable using a smaller screen with a better, firmer group.
Apart from the size, the displays of both models use similar technologies and also have the same latest features, like ProMotion. This is why if you’re looking for one-handed use and a better grip in the hand, the iPhone 13 Pro is the better option.
Meanwhile, if you want a bigger display for having an immersive watching experience, the better option is the 13 Pro Max.
Is There a Difference in Design?
Both the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are nearly identical in terms of design. Both feature a small notch for the Face ID on the top of the display, and both have flat edges and a square camera bump on the back that contains the LiDAR screen and the three cameras.
Both models are available in the same four colors as well, which include Sierra blue, silver, gold, and graphite.
What About Storage?
In terms of storage, both models are available in four different options. The base model for both 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max comes with 128 GB of space, but you can choose from 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB of storage. All models in the iPhone 13 lineup come with iOS 15 by default.
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Battery Life
Another aspect in which the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max differ is the battery life. Apple claims that the 13 Pro can provide up to 22 hours of continuous video playback with its (almost) 3,100mAh battery.
Meanwhile, the 13 Pro Max’s larger frame houses a bigger battery (roughly 4,352mAh) that offers up to 28 hours of continuous video playback.
When it comes to streaming, the 13 Pro delivers up to 20 hours of battery life, while the 13 Pro Max provides a little more (almost 25 hours). And for streaming music, you can get up to 75 hours of battery for the 13 Pro and up to 95 hours for the 13 Pro Max.
Of course, the actual battery life for both models is slightly different from these figures, since mixed phone usage is more taxing than just video playback.
So, if battery life is important for you, you should go for the 13 Pro Max since it offers the best battery life of all the iPhones and is quite a big improvement over the 13 Pro.
Of course, the 13 Pro still provides a sufficient, all-day battery, but of course, it’s no match for the 13 Pro Max.
Difference in Charging Speed
In terms of charging, there hasn’t been any change from the previous iPhone 12 lineup. This means that both Pro models don’t come with the charging brick, but you can charge them with either a wireless 15W MagSafe connection or a wired 20W connection.
However, the charging speeds of the two models is different, but that much is expected, given the difference in the size of the battery.
According to different tests, the iPhone 13 Pro charges to a little over 50% in 30 minutes using the official 20W charger, while the 13 Pro Max charges to only 40%.
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Camera Quality
There’s no difference in the camera quality between the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. But they are different from the camera arrays in the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max — the former features a 2x zoom without sensor shift while the latter features a 2.5 telephoto zoom and the main camera with sensor-shift.
The main camera of both the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max features 3 photo sensors, which include a 12MP main camera featuring sensor-shift stabilization, a telephoto camera featuring 3x optical zoom, and an ultrawide camera.
Other camera features include a LiDAR sensor that helps with both low-light photography and AR apps. In addition to these, there’s a 12MP front camera in both models.
Both models come with similar new features, including the cinematic mode for videos and photographic styles that provide real-time filters. Plus, ProRes video allows detail-rich video recordings. But keep in mind that ProRes provides support for 4K resolution only if you choose a model with 256 GB of storage or more.
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Pricing
There’s quite a big difference in terms of the price between the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. The base model of the 13 Pro costs $999 while the base model of the 13 Pro Max costs $1099.
Even if you go for higher storage options, the $100 difference remains. So for instance, the 1 TB model of the iPhone 13 Pro costs $1499 while the 1 TB model of the 13 Pro Max costs $1599.
Is There Any Difference in Performance?
There’s no difference in the performance of the two models, too. Both come with Apple’s A15 Bionic chip and 6GB RAM. According to Apple, the GPU in the chip is the most powerful to date and is more than 50% better than others.
Both the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max give comparable results in different benchmark testing, with the former being slightly faster. Both models also provide similar graphics performance.
Is the $100 Difference Worth It?
The answer to this really comes down to personal preference and what you really want out of your phone. If you’re looking for longer battery life and a bigger display, the Pro Max is the better option.
With that being said, you get the same overall performance, cameras, and ProMotion display with the 13 Pro, making it the better option if you prefer a smaller screen and a relatively compact design.
Other Differences Between iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apart from the differences in the battery and price, there are also differences in the display, resolution, weight, and dimensions.
Display & Resolution
The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch display while the 13 Pro has a more compact 6.1-inch panel, but both feature an OLED Super Retina XDR panel. Because of the difference in screen size, the pixels per inch (ppi) and resolution between the two also differ.
So, the iPhone 13 Pro features 460 ppi with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 while the 13 Pro Max features 458 ppi and a resolution of 2778 x 1284.
Other than the difference in resolution and pixels per inch, all the features are the same. Both Pro models feature a ProMotion display, which allows a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz.
As a result, you get to enjoy smoother animations and performance. Plus, it’s possible to scale the refresh rate dynamically down to 10Hz to help save the battery life.
Weight & Dimensions
The 13 Pro is obviously shorter and thinner than the 13 Pro Max. To be precise, the 13 Pro is 6.6 mm narrower and 14.1 mm shorter than the 13 Pro Max. However, the thickness for both is the same at 7.65 mm.
Keeping in mind these considerations, the 13 Pro is more pocketable when compared to the 13 Pro Max.
Another difference is in the weight. The 13 Pro is 36 grams lighter than the 13 Pro Max and measures 204 grams. So, if you don’t want to deal with the fatigue that comes from holding the heavier device, you should go for the 13 Pro instead of the 13 Pro Max.