Are you upgrading to a new iPhone? This concise comparison highlights the key differences between the iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Focusing on design, display, performance, camera features, and battery life, this overview will help you determine which model best suits your needs and budget.
Table of contents
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Specs comparison table
| 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 grams | 8.40 oz 238 grams |
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED (1284 x 2778 pixels), HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion (1284 x 2778 pixels), HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic with 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU |
| RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear camera system | Triple 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto), Night mode, Deep Fusion, HDR 3 | Up to 28 hours of talk time |
| Front camera | 12MP with Night mode, Deep Fusion | 12MP with Night mode, Deep Fusion, HDR 4, Photographic Styles |
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours talk time | Up to 20 hours of talk time |
| Battery capacity | 3,687 mAh | 4,352 mAh |
| Charging | MagSafe and Qi wireless charging | MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, slightly faster |
| Max OS compatibility | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| 5G support | Yes | Yes |
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Pacific Blue | Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Other features | LiDAR scanner, Night mode portraits, Dolby Vision HDR video recording | LiDAR scanner, Night mode portraits, Dolby Vision HDR video recording, Cinematic mode, Macro photography |
| Price (new) | $1,099 | $1,099 |
| Price (refurbished) | Starting at | Starting at |
Reasons to choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max
128GB storage
Pacific Blue
128GB storage
Gold
128GB storage
Graphite
- More affordable price point for a still powerful and capable device
- Virtually identical design with a slightly lighter and thinner form factor
- Still boasts a great camera system with impressive image quality
- Offers a long-lasting battery life for everyday use
Reasons to choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max
128GB storage
Sierra Blue
128GB storage
Silver
128GB storage
Sierra Blue
- Smoother and more responsive display with ProMotion technology
- Slightly brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Upgraded camera system with new features like Cinematic mode and macro photography
- Larger battery capacity for even longer usage between charges
- Faster A15 Bionic chip for improved performance
- Option for 1TB storage capacity for heavy users
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: All the differences
Keep reading to know all the key differences between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 Pro Max to help you decide.
Design
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max share a similar sleek and premium design, featuring flat edges and a Ceramic Shield front for enhanced durability.
Both models boast stainless steel frames and glass backs, exuding a sophisticated look. However, the iPhone 13 Pro Max introduces a smaller notch, providing a slightly more immersive display experience.
The dimensions are nearly identical, with the 13 Pro Max being marginally thicker (0.30 inches vs. 0.29 inches) and slightly heavier (8.40 oz vs. 8.04 oz).
Color options differ, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max available in Graphite, Silver, Gold, and Pacific Blue, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers Graphite, Gold, Silver, and the new Sierra Blue.
Display
Both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max feature a stunning 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast.
But here’s the jewel of the crown. The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a significant advantage with its ProMotion technology, which enables an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This translates to smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and an overall more responsive user experience.
Additionally, the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a slightly brighter display at 1000 nits (typ) compared to the 800 nits (typ) of the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Both models support HDR10 and Dolby Vision for a truly immersive viewing experience.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max are both powerful, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max takes it a step further with its A15 Bionic chip. This chip includes a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, delivering faster processing speeds and better graphics performance compared to the A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The A15 Bionic chip enhances the overall user experience with smoother multitasking, quicker app launches, and improved efficiency, which also contributes to better battery life.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max also benefits from enhanced machine learning capabilities, thanks to its more advanced Neural Engine, which powers features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode.
Both models come with 6GB of RAM, ensuring robust performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications alike.
However, the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s improved hardware makes it better suited for future-proofing and handling the latest apps and games with ease.
Cameras
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max feature a powerful triple 12MP camera system, including Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses, ensuring excellent versatility and high-quality photos. However, the iPhone 13 Pro Max introduces several improvements that enhance photographic capabilities.
The 13 Pro Max boasts a larger sensor for better low-light performance and a new Photographic Styles feature, allowing you to personalize the look of your photos directly in the camera app.
It also includes the Cinematic mode, which offers professional-grade depth-of-field effects for video recording, and the ability to record in ProRes format, providing higher video quality and more editing flexibility.
Additionally, the iPhone 13 Pro Max introduces Macro photography, enabling stunning close-up shots with incredible detail, a feature not available on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Both models support Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Dolby Vision HDR recording, but the advancements in the iPhone 13 Pro Max make it a superior choice for photography enthusiasts looking for cutting-edge camera technology.
Battery life and charging
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max both offer impressive battery performance, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a notable edge with its larger battery capacity of 4,352 mAh compared to the 3,687 mAh battery in the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
This results in up to 28 hours of talk time for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, significantly longer than the 20 hours offered by the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Both models support MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, providing convenient and fast charging options.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max also benefits from slightly faster charging speeds, ensuring less downtime when recharging.
👉 Learn more: 8 Best MagSafe Accessories for Your iPhone in 2024
Conclusion
The iPhone 13 Pro Max takes the lead with its ProMotion display, upgraded camera system, faster A15 Bionic chip, and longer battery life. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest technology and don’t mind spending a bit more, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the way to go.
However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need the absolute best features, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is still a fantastic option that offers a premium experience at a slightly lower price.
If you want a more cost-effective option, purchasing a refurbished iPhone is a great choice. At RefurbMe, you can compare both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max at discounted prices while enjoying the same high performance as brand-new phones.
Our platform only lists products with a warranty from trusted merchants, ensuring quality and peace of mind with your purchase. Compare all models in real time below. 👇
128GB storage
Pacific Blue
128GB storage
Gold
128GB storage
Graphite
Happy shopping! 🛍️
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