Choosing between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the most common decisions facing buyers on the refurbished market in 2026. Both models are widely available at significant discounts: the 12 Pro Max starts at around $256 refurbished, while the 13 Pro Max starts at around $356. Both run iOS 18, both deliver a premium 6.7-inch large-screen experience, and both remain capable daily drivers. The question is whether the 13 Pro Max's upgrades justify a $100 premium.
This guide breaks down every meaningful difference across display, performance, cameras, and battery so you can make a confident decision.
Table of contents
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Specs comparison
- Reasons to choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Reasons to choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max
- All the key differences
- Which is the better refurbished buy?
- Frequently asked questions
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Specs comparison
| Feature | iPhone 12 Pro Max | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | October 2020 | September 2021 |
| Design | Flat edges, Ceramic Shield front | Similar design, Ceramic Shield front, smaller notch |
| Dimensions | 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 in (160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm) | 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 in (160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm) |
| Weight | 8.04 oz (228 g) | 8.40 oz (238 g) |
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak), HDR10, Dolby Vision | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, 1000 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak), HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU) |
| RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Rear cameras | Triple 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto), OIS, Night mode, Deep Fusion, HDR 3 | Triple 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto), larger sensor, Cinematic mode, Macro photography, ProRes, Photographic Styles, HDR 4 |
| Front camera | 12MP with Night mode, Deep Fusion | 12MP with Night mode, Deep Fusion, HDR 4, Photographic Styles |
| Battery capacity | 3,687 mAh | 4,352 mAh |
| Battery life (talk time) | Up to 20 hours | Up to 28 hours |
| Charging | MagSafe and Qi wireless charging | MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, slightly faster |
| 5G support | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Max OS compatibility | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Pacific Blue | Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green |
| Price (refurbished) | Starting at | Starting at |
Reasons to choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max
128GB storage
Pacific Blue
128GB storage
Graphite
128GB storage
Gold
- Lowest entry price among refurbished Pro Max iPhones, starting at around $256
- Virtually identical design to the 13 Pro Max, with a slightly lighter body (228 g vs 238 g)
- Excellent triple-camera system with strong image quality for most users
- Runs iOS 18 fully, covering all core software features
- A14 Bionic is still fast enough for everyday tasks and demanding apps
- A good fit for budget-conscious buyers who do not need 120Hz or Cinematic mode
Reasons to choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max
128GB storage
Sierra Blue
128GB storage
Silver
128GB storage
Graphite
- ProMotion 120Hz display (adaptive 1-120Hz) delivers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations
- Brighter screen at 1000 nits typical versus 800 nits on the 12 Pro Max
- Upgraded cameras with Cinematic mode, macro photography (as close as 2 cm), ProRes video, and Photographic Styles
- Larger 4,352 mAh battery offers up to 28 hours of talk time, 8 hours more than the 12 Pro Max
- Faster A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU for better sustained performance and efficiency
- 1 TB storage option for users with large photo and video libraries
- Starting at around $356 refurbished, around $100 more than the 12 Pro Max
All the key differences
Design
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max share a nearly identical silhouette: flat stainless steel edges, a Ceramic Shield front, and a glass back. Side by side, they are almost indistinguishable.
The clearest visual change is the notch. The 13 Pro Max has a noticeably smaller notch, giving slightly more screen space for content. Beyond that, the 13 Pro Max is 0.25 mm thicker and 10 grams heavier. Both feel equally premium in hand.
Color options differ slightly. The 12 Pro Max came in Graphite, Silver, Gold, and Pacific Blue. The 13 Pro Max added Sierra Blue and Alpine Green to the lineup while retiring Pacific Blue.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Display
Both phones use a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with the same 1284 x 2778 pixel resolution, excellent color accuracy, and support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
The biggest difference is refresh rate. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has ProMotion technology, which adjusts the refresh rate dynamically between 1Hz and 120Hz. The result is scrolling that feels tangibly smoother, animations that look more fluid, and an overall display experience that feels more responsive. The 12 Pro Max is locked to 60Hz.
The 13 Pro Max also has a brighter typical brightness at 1000 nits versus 800 nits on the 12 Pro Max, which translates to better outdoor legibility on sunny days.
Performance
Both phones are capable performers, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max uses the A15 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, compared to the A14 Bionic (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU) in the 12 Pro Max. In practice, the A15 handles multitasking, gaming, and video editing faster, and it runs cooler under sustained load. Independent benchmarks place the A15 roughly 20-25% ahead of the A14 in GPU tasks.
The A15 also powers machine learning features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode through its more advanced 16-core Neural Engine, versus the A14's 16-core Neural Engine running at lower throughput. Both models carry 6 GB of RAM.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
For typical daily use, both phones feel responsive. Where the gap becomes visible is in video editing, 3D gaming, and ProRes recording: tasks that lean on the extra headroom of the A15.
Both models support 5G, so connectivity speed is equal on both. On software longevity, both currently run iOS 18. Apple has not announced official iOS 19 support for either model; buyers should plan for continued security updates rather than guaranteed major OS upgrades.
Cameras
The triple 12MP rear camera system is present on both phones, covering Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses. For standard photos in good light, results from both are excellent and hard to tell apart.
The 13 Pro Max pulls ahead in several areas:
- Larger sensor on the main wide lens for better low-light capture
- Cinematic mode for recording video with depth-of-field effects, similar to a shallow-focus film look
- Macro photography via the Ultra Wide lens, enabling close-up shots as near as 2 cm
- ProRes video recording for professional editing workflows
- Photographic Styles for applying personal color and tone preferences directly in the camera
iPhone 13 Cinematic mode
Both phones support Night mode, Deep Fusion, OIS, and Dolby Vision HDR video. For casual photography, the 12 Pro Max remains strong. For video creators and photography enthusiasts, the 13 Pro Max's additions are meaningful.
Battery life and charging
The 13 Pro Max carries a 4,352 mAh battery, compared to 3,687 mAh in the 12 Pro Max. Apple rates the 13 Pro Max at up to 28 hours of talk time, versus 20 hours for the 12 Pro Max. In real-world use, the 13 Pro Max consistently lasted longer through full days of heavy use.
Both models support MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. The 13 Pro Max also supports slightly faster wired charging speeds.
For more on MagSafe accessories that work with both models, see the best MagSafe accessories for your iPhone.
Which is the better refurbished buy?
In 2026, both models are available as certified refurbished units at significant discounts from their original retail prices. The 12 Pro Max starts at around $256, while the 13 Pro Max starts at around $356. The right choice depends on your priorities:
Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if: you want the lowest price on a large-screen Pro iPhone, you mostly use your phone for calls, browsing, and photography in daylight, and the 60Hz display does not bother you.
Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max if: you watch a lot of video, play games, or notice display smoothness. The ProMotion screen and larger battery alone are worth the $100 premium for many buyers. Add Cinematic mode and macro photography if you record video regularly.
Both are excellent value on the refurbished iPhone market. At RefurbMe, you can compare live prices from Apple, Back Market, Amazon Renewed, and other certified sellers across all storage configurations. Our platform only lists products with a warranty from trusted merchants.
If you are still deciding which iPhone generation to target, see our guide to the best refurbished iPhones in 2026 for a ranked overview across all models. For a broader look at where to buy, see the best places to buy refurbished iPhones.
Compare both models side by side below:
128GB storage
Pacific Blue
128GB storage
Graphite
128GB storage
Gold
Frequently asked questions
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Last updated: May 20, 2026 · First published: Jun 28, 2024
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