The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the better phone overall, thanks to its 48MP camera, Dynamic Island, and Always-On display. But the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers because it still runs iOS 26, delivers strong battery life, and costs significantly less on the refurbished market. Below, we break down every meaningful difference to help you decide which one to buy in 2026.
Table of contents
- Reasons to buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Reasons to buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Upgrades and differences
- Specs comparison table
- Design and display
- Cameras
- Performance
- Battery life and charging
- Software and longevity
- Which should you buy?
- FAQ
Reasons to buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Excellent 48MP camera with a 65% larger sensor
- Cinematic video mode up to 4K HDR at 30 FPS
- Much better pictures in low-light conditions
- Strong performance with the A16 Bionic chip
- Beautiful 120Hz display with 1Hz minimum
- Always-On display
- Outstanding battery life
- Premium stainless steel design
- Dynamic Island replaces the notch
128GB storage
Deep Purple
128GB storage
Silver
128GB storage
Space Black
Reasons to buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Cinematic video mode
- Reliable performance with the A15 Bionic chip
- Excellent battery life (4,323 mAh)
- Bright 120Hz ProMotion display
- Good durability with Ceramic Shield front
- Significantly lower refurbished price
- Still runs iOS 26
128GB storage
Sierra Blue
128GB storage
Silver
128GB storage
Graphite
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Upgrades and differences
- Faster performance with the A16 Bionic chip (4nm vs. 5nm)
- The smart Dynamic Island replaces the notch
- Always-On display with 1Hz refresh rate
- Improved 48MP main camera (up from 12MP)
- Cinematic video mode upgraded to 4K HDR at 30 FPS
- Peak brightness jumps to 2,000 nits outdoors
- Bluetooth 5.3 (up from 5.0)
- Upgraded LPDDR5 RAM (from LPDDR4X)
- No physical SIM card slot (eSIM only in the US)
Specs comparison table
| Feature | iPhone 13 Pro Max | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Released | Sep 24, 2021 | Sep 16, 2022 |
| Dimensions | 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.3 inches (160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm) | 6.33 x 3.05 x 0.31 inches (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm) |
| Weight | 8.47 oz (240 g) | 8.47 oz (240 g) |
| Screen size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Display | Super Retina XDR OLED 120 Hz refresh rate with ProMotion technology 2778x1284-pixel resolution at 458 ppi 1,000 nits typical brightness | Super Retina XDR OLED 120 Hz refresh rate with ProMotion technology 2796x1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi 2,000 nits peak outdoor brightness |
| Processor | A15 Bionic chip (5nm) 6-core CPU with 2x performance and 4x efficiency cores | A16 Bionic chip (4nm) 6-core CPU with 2x performance and 4x efficiency cores |
| RAM | 6GB LPDDR4X | 6GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear cameras | 12MP main; 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto | 48MP main; 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto |
| Front cameras | 12MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/1.9) with autofocus |
| Battery size | 4,323 mAh | 4,323 mAh |
| Charging | Wired: PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) Wireless: MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5 W) | Wired: PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) Wireless: MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5 W) |
| Colors | Gold, Silver, Graphite, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green | Silver, Gold, Space Black, Deep Purple |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 Bluetooth 5.0 5G | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 Bluetooth 5.3 5G |
| Max OS | iOS 26 | iOS 26 |
| Release price | Starting at $1,099 | Starting at |
| Price (refurbished) | Starting at | Starting at |
Design and display
Say goodbye to the notch with the iPhone 14 Pro Max. At first glance, both phones look similar: 6.7-inch OLED displays, flat edges, stainless steel construction, and an all-screen design. Yet Apple replaced the notch with a pill-shaped cutout branded as the Dynamic Island, and the difference is hard to miss once you start using it.
The Dynamic Island houses the front camera and Face ID sensors, but it also surfaces alerts, notifications, and live data from apps. Paired with the Live Activities feature, it displays real-time updates for timers, sports scores, ride-sharing ETAs, and more.
iPhone's Dynamic Island
The 14 Pro Max is marginally thicker and narrower than the 13 Pro Max, with a larger camera bump. Despite the nearly identical footprint, an iPhone 13 Pro Max case will not fit the newer model.
On the display side, both phones feature ProMotion technology at up to 120Hz. The key difference: the iPhone 13 Pro Max can drop its refresh rate to 10Hz, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max goes as low as 1Hz. That lower floor enables the Always-On display, which keeps the time, widgets, and wallpaper visible without draining the battery.
The 14 Pro Max also gets meaningfully brighter, reaching 2,000 nits peak outdoor brightness compared to roughly 1,200 nits on the 13 Pro Max. That gap matters if you use your phone in direct sunlight.
Color options differ as well. The 13 Pro Max offered Sierra Blue and Alpine Green alongside Gold, Silver, and Graphite. The 14 Pro Max swapped those for Deep Purple and Space Black.
Cameras
The primary camera is the single biggest upgrade on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Both phones carry wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses, but the 14 Pro Max jumps to 48MP on the main sensor, up from the 12MP found on every previous iPhone, including the 13 Pro Max.
The practical difference is clearest in low-light photography. Thanks to a 65% larger image sensor, nighttime shots on the 14 Pro Max appear sharper and carry less noise. The higher megapixel count also means you can crop into photos more aggressively without losing detail.
The front camera receives an upgrade as well: the 14 Pro Max uses a brighter f/1.9 aperture with autofocus, producing noticeably better selfies and FaceTime quality compared to the fixed-focus f/2.2 lens on the 13 Pro Max.
iPhone 13 Pro Max main cameras
- Main camera: 12MP f/1.5, dual-pixel PDAF, sensor-shift stabilization
- Telephoto lens: 12MP f/2.8, 3x optical zoom, OIS
- Ultrawide camera: 12MP f/1.8 (120-degree FoV), macro photography
- Front camera: 12MP f/2.2, PDAF, supports 4K video at 60 FPS
iPhone 14 Pro Max main cameras
- Main: 48MP f/1.78, sensor-shift OIS, dual-pixel PDAF, supports 4K video at 60 FPS
- Ultrawide camera: 12MP f/2.2 (120-degree FoV), dual-pixel PDAF, macro photography
- Telephoto lens: 12MP f/2.8, OIS, 3x optical zoom
- Front camera: 12MP f/1.9, autofocus PDAF, supports 4K video at 60 FPS
Performance
The main performance difference is the A16 Bionic chip inside the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Built on a 4nm process (versus 5nm for the A15), it packs a 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Notably, Apple reserved the A16 chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max only; the standard iPhone 14 shipped with the older A15.
Geekbench 6 scores illustrate the gap:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Single-core 2,295 / Multi-core 5,570
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: Single-core 2,548 / Multi-core 6,481
That translates to roughly an 11% single-core and 16% multi-core improvement. In everyday use, the difference is subtle: both phones handle demanding games, multitasking, and productivity apps without lag. The A16's edge shows up most in computational photography and video encoding, tasks where the Neural Engine plays a larger role.
Both phones carry 6GB of RAM, though the 14 Pro Max uses faster LPDDR5 memory. For most users in 2026, either chip provides more than enough power.
Battery life and charging
Battery capacity is identical on paper: both phones pack a 4,323 mAh cell. When the 13 Pro Max launched, reviewers praised it for class-leading endurance, and that reputation still holds up. The 14 Pro Max matches that stamina under most conditions, though the Always-On display can trim runtime slightly if left enabled.
Charging speeds are the same as well. Both reach 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W adapter, and both support MagSafe wireless charging at 15W and standard Qi at 7.5W. Neither phone includes a charger in the box, so you will need to supply your own.
Software and longevity
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max run iOS 26, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system released at WWDC 2025. That means they share the same software features, including Apple Intelligence capabilities, the Liquid Glass redesign, and the latest security patches.
Looking ahead, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is one generation newer, which typically translates to an extra year of major iOS updates. If software longevity is a priority, the 14 Pro Max holds a slight advantage.
Which should you buy?
Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max if you want the best camera available between the two, value the Dynamic Island and Always-On display, and plan to keep your phone for several more years. The 48MP sensor, brighter screen, and newer chip all justify the price premium for photography enthusiasts and power users.
Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max if your priority is saving money without sacrificing core performance. It still runs iOS 26, delivers excellent battery life, and handles every modern app with ease. The lower refurbished price makes it an especially strong pick for buyers who do not need the latest camera hardware.
Related comparisons:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro vs. Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Plus vs. Pro Max
- iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 15
- iPhone 13 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Best places to buy refurbished iPhones
Visit RefurbMe to compare real-time prices on refurbished iPhones from trusted sellers. Buying refurbished lets you save on these premium smartphones while getting fully tested hardware with a warranty.
128GB storage
Sierra Blue
128GB storage
Silver
128GB storage
Graphite
FAQ
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max?
The camera. The iPhone 14 Pro Max features a 48MP main sensor with a 65% larger image sensor, producing sharper photos and significantly better low-light performance than the 12MP camera on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Do both phones support iOS 26?
Yes. Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max run iOS 26, which means they receive the same software features, security updates, and Apple Intelligence capabilities.
Are the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max the same size?
Nearly. Both have 6.7-inch displays, but the 14 Pro Max is fractionally thicker (7.85mm vs. 7.65mm) and has a larger camera bump. Cases are not interchangeable between the two models.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth the extra cost over the 13 Pro Max?
It depends on your priorities. The 14 Pro Max offers a better camera, Dynamic Island, Always-On display, and a brighter screen. If those features matter to you, the premium is justified. If you mainly use your phone for calls, messaging, and everyday apps, the 13 Pro Max delivers a similar experience at a lower refurbished price.
Does the iPhone 13 Pro Max have Dynamic Island?
No. The Dynamic Island was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 Pro Max uses the traditional notch design.
Which phone has better battery life?
Both have identical 4,323 mAh batteries, and real-world endurance is similar. The 14 Pro Max's Always-On display can reduce battery life slightly when enabled, while its more efficient A16 chip partially offsets that drain.
Last updated: Apr 8, 2026 · First published: Dec 5, 2023
