iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro & Pro Max (2022): What Are The Differences?

Looking to get the new Apple iPhone 13 but can’t decide which model to get? At a glance, all these models come with Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip so they are quite similar in performance. However, they do differ in many areas such as camera, configuration, screen quality and more. Below is our comparison of the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max to help you decide which one is best for you.

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro & Pro Max Comparison Chart

Design

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is quite large when compared to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, which have the same dimensions.

In terms of looks and design, the three iPhone models are very similar. The Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro have the exact same size, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max is bigger. Both the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro are measured at 5.78 x 2.81 x 0.3 inches but the the latter is heavier by 30 grams (174g vs 204g). On the other hand, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is bigger and heavier than the two, measuring 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.3 inches and weighing 240g. All three have the same thickness.

When it comes to build quality, the three models come with an IP68 water and dust resistance, a glass front and a glass back. However, their frames are made with different materials. The iPhone 13 has an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max have a stainless steel frame.

At the back, the only noticeable difference with these models is with their camera array. The iPhone 13 has two main lenses while the Pro models have three. You can get the iPhone 13 in five colors—Blue, Midnight, Pink, Red and Starlight, while the Pro models have four color options to choose from—Gold, Graphite, Sierra Blue and Silver.

Display

All three iPhone models have Super Retina XDR OLED screens, but the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max come with high refresh rate displays.

As far as screens go, all three iPhone handsets come with Apple’s new Super Retina XDR OLED display. But that’s the only similarity in this area. The Apple iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch display with a typical brightness of up to 800 nits (1200 nits peak) and a refresh rate of 60Hz.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 Pro has the same 6.1-inch screen as the base model, but it has a higher typical brightness of 1000 nits (1200 nits peak) and a higher refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen of the iPhone 13 Pro Max has the same specs as the Pro, but it is larger, at 6.7-inches.

One major difference between the iPhone 13 and the Pro models’ screens is Apple’s new ProMotion feature. This feature is only available on the Pro models and it allows the phones to have an adaptive refresh rate with a range of 10Hz – 120Hz. Their screens can go up to 120Hz when the phones are in use, and they go down to 10Hz when the phones are idle to conserve battery.

Aside from giving you a smoother overall experience, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max also have the ProMotion feature that can greatly extend their battery life. The Pro models definitely win in this area.

Hardware and Camera

All three iPhone models come with the latest A15 Bionic chipset, but the 13 Pro and Pro Max come with more RAM and larger storage options.

When it comes to camera configuration, the Pro models have the advantage since they are equipped with triple-lens cameras as opposed to the dual camera system of the iPhone 13. The triple-lens camera system of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max includes wide, ultrawide and telephoto cameras, whereas the Apple iPhone 13 only has wide and ultrawide.

In terms of camera performance, all three iPhone 13 models are greatly improved when compared to their iPhone 12 counterparts. All of them have improved low-light photography and they also come with sensor-shift optimization—a feature that was only available on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, the inclusion of the telephoto camera on the Pro models certainly make them a more versatile phone snapper.

As for their hardware, all three of them come with Apple’s A15 Bionic chip. They are fast and responsive, but the Pro models have some advantages. First, they have 6GB of RAM, while the base iPhone 13 only has 4GB. If you are a power user that needs quick access to various apps, the 6GB of RAM on the Pro models will certainly give you a faster and more responsive experience. Also, the Pro models have variants that come with more storage space.

Another notable difference is with their GPUs. The iPhone has a four core GPU, while the Pro models have a five core GPU. The difference in gaming performance is certainly there, but if you are a casual gamer, that difference is not that drastic.

Battery Life

The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the longest battery life, followed by the 13 Pro and 13, respectively.

Even though Apple does not officially reveal their phones’ battery capacities, there are many reputable sources that list them. On that note, the battery capacity for these phones are 3240mAh, 3095mAh and 4532mAh for the the base model, Pro and Pro Max, respectively. You’ll notice that the 13 Pro has a smaller battery capacity than the 13, but even though that’s the case, the former can still last longer than the latter.

The Apple iPhone 13 and Pro both have 23W fast charging while the Pro Max supports 27W fast charging. All three models are compatible with MagSafe wireless charging at 15W and Qi magnetic fast wireless charging at 7.5W.

Verdict

Get either the Apple iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max over the base model if you are spending this much money on a phone, since the price difference is not that significant.

At their current prices, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are much better deals than the base iPhone 13. They come with much better camera arrays, they offer better performance and their screens are of higher quality as well. If you are going to spend this much money on a phone, might as well get your money’s worth.

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Last update on 2022-05-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API