Phone Deal Finder
Plan Finder
Resources

iPhone 13 Pro Max: Is It Worth Buying?

Dozens of iPhone models have been released since the product’s initial launch in 2007. In addition to the standard iteration that comes out every year, Apple also makes upgraded versions for people who want more size or power in their phone. For this generation, the iPhone 13’s upgraded companion is the iPhone Pro Max.

The iPhone 13 is touted as the most advanced generation of iPhones yet, building on the iPhone 12 in almost every way. According to Apple, the iPhone Pro Max takes this even further, upgrading its generational sibling to make it the most powerful iPhone on the market.

Here, look at the iPhone 13 and previous generations with Navi to decide if the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a worthwhile investment over the competition?

What Sets the iPhone 13 Apart?

In order to understand the value of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, it is important to have an idea of what makes the iPhone 13 generation special, to begin with. Many of the features that the standard iPhone 12 shipped with have remained relatively unchanged.

A major difference is the camera quality, which saw a big upgrade for the iPhone 13. The 13 has an improved cinematic mode at 1080p and 30 fps, plus an ultrawide lens and optical stabilization.

iPhone 13 models are also equipped with the A15 Bionic chip, which is an upgrade over the iPhone 12’s A14 chip. iPhone 13’s are faster, more powerful, and have better battery life than iPhone 12 products.

With a retail price that starts at $150 more expensive than the iPhone 12, the standard iPhone 13 on its own is a significant upgrade over any previous iPhone.

How the iPhone 13 Pro Max Improves iPhones

With that in mind, what makes the iPhone 13 Pro Max worth $450 more than its generational sibling?

For starters, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a large 6.7-inch display, meaning that more materials go into making it. It has a five-core GPU and an upgraded camera with a telephoto lens and 15x digital zoom. The camera also allows for improved night portraits and macro photography.

The iPhone Pro Max is built to have long battery life compared to other iPhones, lasting upwards of five hours longer than the iPhone 13. Overall, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a bigger upgrade from the standard 13 than that iPhone was for the iPhone 12.

What Are the Problems With the iPhone 13 Pro Max

The most glaring issue with the iPhone 13 Pro max is its price. With a retail price of $1549, the Pro Max is almost 50% more expensive than the standard iPhone 13. Despite being part of the same generation and having many of the same features, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the most expensive phones currently on the market.

In addition to this, the iPhone 13 Pro has the same external specs as the Pro Max with the primary difference being increased size and battery life. All of the internal upgrades are identical between the two models. With a $150 price gap between the two, it can be hard to justify the high price point of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Best iPhone Deals

While the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the fastest and most powerful iPhone Apple has, there are still better iPhone deals that exist.

Depending on what you want out of your iPhone, some of the phones on this list could be a better fit for you than that iPhone 13 Pro max. FYI, you can shop for more phones on our Phone Finder.

iPhone 13 Pro

At an internal level, the iPhone 13 Pro is actually exactly the same as the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Both sport an upgraded camera and a unique A15 bionic chip. While it doesn’t have the battery life or size of the Pro Max, the iPhone 13 Pro is still a significant upgrade over the standard iPhone 13.

The Pro costs $1399, putting it between the standard and Pro Max models. It is still on the pricier end of modern smartphones, but it has all of the latest internal advancements offered by Apple. As far as phones go, it is hard to find a more powerful machine than the 13 Pro.

iPhone SE (Third Generation)

On the other end of the power spectrum is the iPhone SE, which is a significantly weaker phone with fewer features than any of the iPhone 13 models. The iPhone SE is built to be a budget phone, and coming in at a $429 starting price makes it half the price of many of the high-tier smartphones out there.

Even with the budget build this phone is nothing to be scoffed at. It also has the A15 Bionic chip, 4-core GPU, and 16-core neural engine. Internally it doesn’t hold up to the iPhone 13s, but it is still an advanced modern-day phone. At such a low price, customers get more than enough value for their money.

iPhone 12 Pro Max

If the size and battery life of the 13 Pro Max is non-negotiable but you want to look for something cheaper, try the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The phone is not as advanced as any of the 13 models and it is running off of the tech we were used to in 2020. That being said, this is an advanced phone with a 6.7-inch display and very solid battery life.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max can be purchased from qualified resellers as low as $1099 at retail price. This is a much cheaper phone than the 13 Pro Max, but it still has some of its best benefits.

The Bottom Line

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is an incredibly powerful phone, and it is the most technologically advanced phone that Apple has ever made. However, these changes come with a steep asking price, and many of its best features are available with other, cheaper phones.

Battery life, size, internal specs, and camera quality are all things that can be found in other iPhone models. If money is no object for you then the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best of the best, but if you look at it from a purely value-based perspective, the Pro Max will not be worth it for the average consumer.

Wondering how to find the best phone deals? Try our free, unbiased Phone Deal Finder to see all the best deals on new phones.

Find phone deals based on your
trade-in and carrier
Find a Phone Deal