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Apple launched the iPhone 14 Pro Max this September, supposedly posing as an upgrade to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. But is that the case, or does Apple just want you to buy a minor upgrade with a new sticker? Choosing between these two is a real dilemma if you’re in the market for a new iPhone.
They’re both similar devices, so choosing between the two is a bit difficult, given that both are excellent models. Taking in the information from Apple may not be enough to decide, so we’ll compare the two phones to help you choose.
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: Side-by-Side Comparison
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | iPhone 13 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 240 g (8.47 oz) | 238 (8.39 oz) |
| Broadband | GSM/CDMA/HSPA/ EVDO/LTE/5G | GSM/CDMA/HSPA/ EVDO/LTE/5G |
| OS | iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 16.2 | iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 16.2 |
| Storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM |
| CPU | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| Display Size | 6.7 inches, ~88.3% screen-to-body ratio | 6.7 inches, ~87.4% screen-to-body ratio |
| Display Resolution | 1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio ~460 PPI density | 1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio ~458 PPI density |
| Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 12MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 12MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | 12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 12 MP, f/1.8, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
| Battery Capacity | Li-Ion 4323 mAh, non-removable (16.68 Wh) | Li-Ion 4352 mAh, non-removable (16.75 Wh) |
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: What’s the Difference?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 Pro Max look nearly indistinguishable at first glance, but there are some subtle differences between the two. Let’s dive in, comparing the design, cameras, display, software, and much more.
Design
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The iPhone 14 Pro Max looks somewhat the same as its predecessor as it kept the same flat sides, screen size, and stainless steel combined with glass. However, the iPhone 14 Pro Max isn’t as wide as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, although the difference is so minimal you may not even notice it.
One notable difference is the Dynamic Island pill-shaped front. It takes less space, giving the iPhone 14 Pro Max a unique look you won’t find with any other phone. The pill-shaped system acts as a status bar, playing back music, using maps, and showing low battery, among other things.
It also contains the front camera and the sensor for the phone’s facial recognition. Still, although fun, this isn’t really so profound of a change. In the back, you’ll find a glass back and a square-shaped camera.
Much like the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is available in graphite, gold, and silver. It’s also available in deep purple but not in the green and blue options. The upgraded model is waterproof with an IP68 certification, which means you can put it 6 meters deep for 30 minutes maximum.
Display
These phones have similar displays. Both have a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a 6.7-inch diagonal, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a Full HD+ resolution of 1284 x 2778 pixels. In fact, iPhone 14 Pro Max’s screen has a few pixels more when it comes to screen resolution. However, the difference is lower than approximately 2 pixels per inch of screen real estate.
In addition, both displays also have the HDR10 certification, along with Dolby Vision support. Possibly the only notable difference is that the iPhone 13 Pro Max reaches 1,200 nits, while the upgraded model can reach 2,000 nits. The increased brightness levels can fight off any sunlight glare, allowing for a clear image. The new model also doesn’t have the notch as it has the Dynamic Island.
Cameras
The iPhone 13 Pro Max features 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, and 12 MP telephoto cameras. There’s also a 3D LiDAR scanner for Apple’s AR integrations. Overall, it’s not a bad camera setup, but it can’t really compare with the new model. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a new 48 MP main rear camera with an f/1.8 focal aperture and OIS.
What remains the same is the secondary sensors, so you’ll get the 12 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom as well as an ultrawide lens with 12 MP resolution. Regarding the front camera, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has auto-focus, and you may also notice a difference in the colors of your skin and face in general.
Previous iPhones are somewhat known for giving you a reddish flat skin tone, but this is no longer an issue with the 14 Max Pro. The new model shows more variety in highlights and shadows, offering more contrast and an overall better image.
Hardware
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 6X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 5-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 28 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Surgical-grade stainless steel
- Water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. Compatible with MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers
There are notable differences between iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max under the hood. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the 5nm Apple A15 Bionic, with a Hexa-core architecture. It sports two Avalanche performance cores with a max frequency of 3.23 GHz, a 5-core Apple GPU, and four energy-efficient Blizzard cores running at 1.82 GHz.
On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 4nm Apple A16 Bionic chipset with a Hexa-core architecture. It pairs two Everest cores running at 3.46 GHz, a 5-core Apple GPU, and four 2.02 GHz Sawtooth cores.
Thanks to these upgrades, the new model has a performance boost, better computational power, and low energy consumption. The memory is the same as both have 6 GB of RAM and 1 TB of internal storage.
Software
When it comes to software, Apple does an exceptional job at keeping its older devices up to date. This practice makes Apple’s devices somewhat future-proof and longer-lasting compared to its competitors.
It also means that both iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max run iOS 16, so there’s parity regarding software. However, several distinctions separate the two.
The newer device has satellite connectivity with Emergency SOS, enabling you to call for help via satellite. The feature activates when there’s no cell service, and it can be a real lifesaver.
The other feature is Crash Detection, which detects serious car crashes. Upon activation, it deals with emergency services and shares your location with your emergency contacts, alarming them of the situation.
Battery
The iPhone 13 Max Pro has a battery of 4,352mAh cell. Apple claims this phone’s battery can achieve up to 28 hours of video playback. Not much has changed for the iPhone 14 Pro Max apart from the mAh rating.
However, considering that the phone sports a 1-120Hz display and the A16 Bionic chipset, you may only get an extra hour of battery life. Both phones charge at 20W and can reach 50% capacity after only half an hour of charging.
Price
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the same price as its predecessor release. The device is currently priced at approx. $1,100, which may seem like a lot. Apple did also release the 14 Pro priced at $1,000 for those that find Pro Max too expensive. It’s also important to note that pricing mostly scales with the size of internal storage.
However, carrier-free refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max is currently priced at $850 at Amazon and various dealers. Considering that the differences between the two are minimal, that price point might make more sense to some.
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: 5 Must-Know Facts
- In the 3rd quarter of 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro Max helped Apple take a 22% market share with a 6% increase in value.
- The iPhone 13 Pro Max was awarded the Best Smartphone Display by DisplayMate.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max’s camera is specifically designed to compete against Google and Samsung counterparts.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max screen has a scalable refresh rate. This means that the Always On Display refreshes once per second while the phone is on standby.
- Though they’re seemingly the same, iPhone 14 Pro Max is 2 grams heavier.
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: Which One Is Better?
Users who only use their phones to text and call won’t notice any significant differences between the two phones. However, iPhone photography enthusiasts and video makers will likely notice the improved camera.
Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a better smartphone, with marginally more powerful hardware. This is topped off with several safety and emergency features that make this phone worthwhile. With that said, if you only call and text, the iPhone 14 Pro Max isn’t worth the upgrade.
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