Apple‘s iPhone lineup includes some of the most advanced and powerful smartphones on the market. The iPhone 13 series, released in September 2021, represents Apple‘s latest flagship phone offerings. Within the iPhone 13 lineup, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max stand out as Apple‘s highest-end devices aimed at users wanting top-of-the-line features.
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max share much in common – from overall design to core specs and features. However, some key differences help distinguish one model from the other when it comes to display size, battery life, pricing, and other factors.
Read on for a full comparison of the iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro Max to understand precisely how these two impressive phones stack up.
iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max Side-by-Side Overview
Before diving into the details, here is a high-level overview comparing the core specs and features of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max:
| Specification | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2021 | September 2021 |
| Display | 6.1Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.7 Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
|
| Chip | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP Main + 12MP Ultrawide + 12MP Telephoto | 12MP Main + 12MP Ultrawide + 12MP Telephoto |
| Battery Life | Up to 22 hours video playback | Up to 28 hours video playback |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Price | From $999 | From $1,099 |
As you can see, on paper the two phones share mostly similar core specifications. The main differences lie in display size, battery capacity and life, pricing tiers, and overall dimensions.
Below we‘ll explore these similarities and differences in more detail.
Similarity #1: Slick and Sturdy Design
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max feature nearly identical physical designs defined by Apple‘s recent shift to flat-edge industrial styling. Both phones have:
- A glass back and front cover for wireless charging support
- Surgical-grade stainless steel frames for durability
- The latest protective Ceramic Shield front glass
- IP68 dust and water resistance to a depth of 6 meters for 30 minutes
Beyond materials, the two Pro models share design elements like:
- The updated camera bump on back housing three lenses
- A centered Apple logo on the rear glass panel
- Volume buttons on the left edge and power/lock button on right edge
- Lightning port on bottom edge for charging
With their premium build quality incorporating glass, steel, and ceramic, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max feel substantial and solid in the hand.
The one clear difference in terms of design? Size and dimensions.
Since the Pro Max has a larger display (more on that next), it predictably has a taller height and wider width than the regular Pro model. Specifically:
- iPhone 13 Pro: Height – 5.78 inches (146.7 mm), Width – 2.82 inches (71.5 mm), Depth – 0.3 inch (7.65 mm), Weight – 7.19 ounces (204 grams)
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Height – 6.33 inches (160.8 mm), Width – 3.07 inches (78.1 mm), Depth – 0.3 inch (7.65 mm), Weight – 8.47 ounces (240 grams)
So while the Pro Max matches the Pro in depth, it is considerably larger in the other dimensions. And at over half an ounce heavier, some users may find the Max too hefty for prolonged one-handed use.
But for those who want more screen real estate, the Plus naturally delivers – thanks to its taller and wider body.
Difference #1: Larger Display on Pro Max
The first major difference between the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone Pro Max is display size:
- iPhone 13 Pro: 6.1-inch OLED display
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6.7-inch OLED display
Besides the 0.6-inch size difference, both screens utilize OLED technology for inky blacks and vibrant color. Additionally, these Super Retina XDR displays offer:
- 1000 nits typical brightness and 1200 nits peak brightness
- Contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1
- Wide color gamut (P3) support
- HDR playback
The displays also include a 120Hz refresh rate enabled by ProMotion technology. This allows for smoother scrolling and animations by automatically adjusting the refresh rate from 10Hz all the way up to 120Hz depending on the task and content.
So in summary, while equally advanced displays, the Max simply offers more real estate with its bigger 6.7-inch screen. For users who consume lots of videos, games, photos or other visual content, that extra space can really improve the experience.
Similarity #2: Triple Camera System
Another area where the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max align? Camera hardware and technologies.
Both flagship phones incorporate a triple 12MP camera array on rear featuring:
- 12MP Main wide camera with f/1.5 aperture and sensor-shift optical image stabilization
- 12MP Ultra Wide camera with f/1.8 aperture and 120° field of view
- 12MP Telephoto camera with f/2.8 aperture providing 3x optical zoom
The three lenses combined enable focal lengths from 0.5x all the way to 6x optical zoom range. And thanks to sensor-shift stabilization even on the tele lens, both phones take incredibly smooth and sharp zoomed footage.
Beyond the lenses, these advanced camera systems also deliver:
- Larger sensors and pixels compared to iPhone 12 Pro models for better low light shots
- Night mode on all three rear cameras
- Improved Smart HDR 4 for more detail in shadows and highlights
- Photographic Styles to customize the look of your images while shooting
- Cinematic mode for beautiful depth-of-field portrait videos
- up to 4K 60fps Dolby Vision HDR video recording
- ProRes video support on 256GB or higher models
- TrueDepth 12MP selfie camera with Night mode and 4K video
Clearly, both the regular Pro and Max offer cutting-edge photography and videography abilities – thanks to equal camera hardware and features. Casual shooters, as well as mobile creative pros, will find these triple lens setups incredibly powerful and versatile for everything from everyday captures to artistic projects.
Difference #2: Battery Life Advantage on Pro Max
With large displays and advanced camera systems, battery life becomes critical for keeping these smartphones powered all day. And this is an area where the iPhone 13 Pro Max pulls ahead of its smaller sibling.
Specifically, the Pro Max offers nearly 30% greater battery capacity:
- iPhone 13 Pro battery: 3,095 mAh
- iPhone 13 Pro Max battery: 4,352 mAh
As a result, during typical mixed usage you can expect longer runtimes from the Max between charges. More precisely, Apple lists these usage times across video playback, audio playback, and internet usage:
| Battery Life Estimate | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Video playback | Up to 22 hours | Up to 28 hours |
| Audio playback | Up to 75 hours | Up to 95 hours |
| Internet usage | Up to 11 hours | Up to 12 hours |
So if you tend to drain your phone battery quickly from visually intensive apps and activities, the Pro Max can keep going for up to 6 additional hours during video streaming or playback. That‘s a sizable gain that frequent travelers or power users will appreciate.
Of course, moderate to light users who rely more on basic apps and occasional media may find either Pro model lasts sufficiently through a full day. But those constantly pushing their phones will benefit from the Max‘s superior battery capacities.
Similarity #3: Blazing A15 Bionic Speed
Looking under the hood, both the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max share Apple‘s latest system-on-a-chip driving performance – the A15 Bionic.
This improved chip delivers noticeably faster processing and graphics speeds over last year‘s A14 chip. Key upgrades include:
- 6-core CPU with 2 high-power cores and 4 high-efficiency cores
- 5-core GPU for enhanced graphics and gaming
- 16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning tasks
- Image signal processor for computational photography
In benchmarks, the A15 CPU performs around 10% faster than the A14. And the more powerful GPU maintains smoother frame rates in demanding games.
Day to day, both Pro models feel extremely responsive when launching apps, juggling multiple tasks, editing photos and video, and playing immersive titles like Genshin Impact. So mobile gamers and creative professionals will find either Pro phone provides desktop-class performance – thanks to the A15 silicon.
The Pro and Pro Max also offer equal memory capacities, available with:
- 6GB of RAM standard across storage configurations
- 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB internal storage options
In summary, if you prioritize raw processing speeds and snappy responsiveness, both Pro models deliver thanks to Apple‘s cutting-edge A15 Bionic chipset and ample RAM.
Difference #3: Pro Max Pricing Bump
With matching designs, displays, cameras and internals, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max may seem nearly identical. However, there is one clear differentiator between the two flagships – cost.
Due to its larger size and greater battery capacity, Apple prices the Pro Max a tier above the regular Pro at each storage configuration:
| Storage | iPhone 13 Pro Price | iPhone 13 Pro Max Price |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $999 | $1,099 |
| 256GB | $1,099 | $1,199 |
| 512GB | $1,299 | $1,399 |
| 1TB | $1,499 | $1,599 |
So if budget is a significant factor, the smaller Pro represents savings of $100 across the lineup. For equivalent storage tiers, you obtain largely the same features while keeping more cash in your wallet.
However, some may find the upgrades on the Max, including a bigger battery and display, make the $100 premium reasonable for their needs. Ultimately it comes down to personal preferences around size, battery, and value perceptions.
Additional Similarities and Differences
Beyond the core comparisons above, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max align closely in a few other areas as well:
- Wireless connectivity – both phones support 5G networks, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Express Cards, and Ultra Wideband
- Audio – equal stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus support
- Authentication – same Face ID sensor housed in notch at the top of the display
- Fast charging – can reach 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter (sold separately)
- MagSafe – both models work with magnetic MagSafe chargers and cases
However, outside from battery life, there are a handful of secondary differentiators:
- Display brightness – the Pro Max can sustain higher peak brightness (1200 nits vs 1000 nits) outside
- RAM – Pro Max has undisclosed additional GB of RAM
- Colors – Pro comes in Sierra Blue and Alpine Green not offered on Max
But again, display size and battery capacities represent the only truly significant differences that may sway a buying decision one way or another.
Which iPhone 13 Pro Model Should You Buy?
With so many shared attributes yet a $100+ price gap, choosing the best iPhone 13 Pro for your needs depends on personal preferences.
Here are some key factors to consider:
- Do you value portability and compact design? Go with the smaller Pro.
- Do you stream lots of videos and play games? Max offers more screen real estate.
- Does battery life take priority? The Max runs for up to 6 additional hours.
- Is staying under budget important? The regular Pro saves you $100.
Either way you choose, both deliver ultra-premium build quality, uncompromising performance, pro-level cameras, gorgeous OLED displays, and iOS 15 software. So you really can‘t go wrong picking the Pro or Pro Max this year. At the end of the day, select based on the combination of size, battery, pricing, and visual appeal matching your needs.
Summary: Minor Differences, Major Flagship Power
While Apple offers various iPhone models each year catering to diverse buyers, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max target shoppers wanting no compromises. With luxurious designs, stunning displays and cameras, unmatched speeds, and all-day battery life, these flagships represent the pinnacle of iPhone engineering.
Ultimately, the similarities far outweigh their few differences – making either premium choice a winning one. Unless you specifically value bigger screens or longer runtimes afforded by the Max‘s oversized body and battery, the regular Pro likely satisfies just as well. Yet both deliver outstanding mobile performance worthy of their Pro name – no matter which flagship you select.
