The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are the iPhone 13 series’ most renowned siblings. The pair’s flagship specs are aimed at the high-end market. If you’re considering purchasing one of the two, it’s wise to gain a thorough grasp of what you’re purchasing.
You should be aware of the many trade-offs involved in selecting one iPhone size over another. This article pits the iPhone 13 Pro against the iPhone 13 Pro Max to help you make an informed choice.
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Similarities
Apple’s latest pro models, including the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, share more similarities than differences. The parallels continue all the way to the interior design.
The following are the key characteristics shared by the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The All-New A15 Bionic Processor
One of the most visible basic features is the new A15 Bionic chip. The A15 Bionic comes equipped with a new image signal processor (ISP) that improves image noise reduction and tone mapping.
It improves performance marginally over Apple’s previous CPU, the A14 Bionic. However, it remains light years ahead of the rest of the smartphone market, with Apple claiming that the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max delivers 50% more performance than the competition.
A 120Hz ProMotion Display
Apart from the processor, the iPhone 13 Pro versions include a Super Retina XDR display with an adjustable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. To conserve battery life, the refresh rates fluctuate from as low as 10Hz to a high of 120Hz, depending on what you’re doing.
The display reaches a maximum brightness of 1000nits, up from 800nits on the iPhone 12 series, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience outside.
These panels feature a high dynamic range (HDR), true tone, haptic touch, a P3 wide color gamut, and a fingerprint-resistant coating.
The Camera
Both variants include three lenses on the rear. You get a 12MP telephoto, a 12MP wide-angle, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, all of which have f/2.8, f/1.5, and f/1.8 apertures.
Among the camera’s notable features are a 6x optical zoom range and a 15x digital zoom range, deep fusion, Night mode, Apple ProRAW, sensor-shift optical stabilization, portrait mode, and smart HDR 4.
Additionally, you can shoot ProRes video up to 4K at 30 frames per second, a critical boost for content creators. However, if you choose the 128GB storage option, you will be limited to 1080p ProRes video recording at 30 frames per second.
Additional video recording capabilities include 4K and HDR footage at 60 frames per second. Additionally, there is a Cinematic mode for smoothly shifting attention from subject to subject.
The front camera is the same 12MP TrueDepth sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, intelligent HDR4 support, and other features.
Storage, 5G, IP Rating, Colors, and More
Both devices are available in a variety of storage configurations. Apple’s entry-level storage option is 128GB, but the pair is also available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities.
The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max also support 5G. (both sub-6GHz and mmWave).
The IP68 classification denotes resistance to water and dust. For added protection, the pair is encased in surgical-grade stainless steel on the body and a ceramic shield on the front.
Both models include standard technologies like Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit LTE, VoLTE, NFC, Wi-Fi calling, Wi-Fi 6, Face ID, and GPS. Dual eSIM functionality is a notable feature, a first for the iPhone.
Silver, Graphite, Gold, and Sierra Blue are the available colors for the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Max.
iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Differences
However, not everything is identical among these phones. We understand why you’ve arrived; the distinctions between the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are detailed below.
Display
Although both devices feature the same Super Retina XDR OLED display with an adjustable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, they are not similar in every way. The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a larger 6.7-inch display with a resolution of 2778×1234 pixels. The iPhone 13 Pro includes a 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 2532×1170 pixels.
The difference in display size is also apparent in other dimensions, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max weighing 1.27 ounces heavier than the 13 Pro. Both variants are slightly heavier than the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
Battery
The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a longer screen time than the 13 Pro normal. Apple claims that the iPhone 13 Pro Max can play video for up to 28 hours, which is six hours longer than the 13 Pro.
Although these figures are rarely accurate in practice, the iPhone 13 Pro models offer a significant increase in screen time over the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max charges from 0% to 50% in 35 minutes, compared to 30 minutes with the ordinary iPhone 13 Pro, while using Apple’s 20W adaptor (sold separately).
Price
The iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999 for 128GB of storage, while the larger iPhone 13 Pro starts at $1099 for 128GB of storage. The iPhone 13 Pro’s 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options are priced at $1099, $1299, and $1499, respectively. Each model of the iPhone 13 Pro Max will cost an additional $100.
Summary
The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are nearly identical. The primary distinctions are in pricing, display size, and battery life.
However, given the little price difference, your choice should come down to the remaining two factors: battery life and display panel. If you require a larger display and increased battery life, opt for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Otherwise, the iPhone 13 Pro is a decent option due to its lighter weight and smaller size.
