iPhone 15 vs 13 Pro Max – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 13 Pro Max & iPhone 15 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 13 Pro Max rather than the iPhone 15.

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 120 Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and more responsive gaming, while the iPhone 15 uses a smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display limited to 60 Hz.
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max comes with a triple-camera system including a 12 MP telephoto lens for 3× optical zoom to capture distant subjects with clarity, whereas the iPhone 15 has a dual-camera setup without a telephoto lens.
  • It supports up to 1 TB internal storage for professionals needing space for large photo and video libraries, while the iPhone 15 supports a maximum of 512 GB internal storage.
  • The iPhone 13 Pro Max includes a larger 4373 mAh battery for longer endurance during heavy use such as video streaming or gaming, whereas the iPhone 15 includes a smaller ~3349 mAh battery.
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max uses a stainless steel frame for greater durability and a more premium feel, while the iPhone 15 uses an aluminum frame that is less scratch resistant.
  • It supports ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates down to 10 Hz to save power during static tasks, while the iPhone 15 runs at a fixed 60 Hz.
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max provides up to 9× digital zoom in video recording to capture distant events with more range, while the iPhone 15 supports up to 6× digital zoom.

Maybe the iPhone 15 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureiPhone 13 Pro MaxiPhone 15
Frame materialStainless steelAluminum
Display size6.7-inch6.1-inch
Refresh rate120 Hz ProMotion60 Hz standard
Display designNotchDynamic Island
Storage options128 / 256 / 512 GB / 1 TB128 / 256 / 512 GB
Rear cameras12 MP triple48 MP wide + 12 MP ultra-wide
Telephoto zoom3× optical zoomNot included
Video zoomUp to 9× digitalUp to 6× digital
ConnectorLightningUSB-C
Battery capacity~4373 mAh~3349 mAh
Build colorsGraphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine GreenBlack, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow
Back finishGlossy glass with stainless trimMatte glass with aluminum trim
PriceCheck iPhone 13 Pro Max PriceCheck iPhone 15 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display type: Both iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 use Super Retina XDR OLED technology, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors for immersive visuals.
  • Resolution: Despite size differences, both have ~460 ppi pixel density, ensuring sharp images and crisp text clarity.
  • HDR support: Each supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, enabling cinematic contrast and color accuracy when streaming or recording video.
  • True Tone: Both models use True Tone sensors to automatically adjust white balance to surrounding light for natural screen viewing.
  • Wide color (P3): Both cover the P3 wide color gamut, ensuring professional-grade color accuracy for photos and videos.
  • Ceramic Shield: Both devices feature Apple’s Ceramic Shield protection on the front, making the glass stronger against drops and scratches.
  • 5G connectivity: Both phones connect to global 5G networks for faster downloads, streaming, and online gaming.
  • Dual SIM: Both support nano-SIM plus eSIM, offering flexibility for travel or using two phone numbers on the same device.
  • Face ID: Both include Apple’s TrueDepth system for secure facial recognition and biometric authentication.
  • Front camera resolution: Each device has a 12 MP TrueDepth selfie camera, capable of capturing detailed selfies and FaceTime calls.
  • Front camera features: Both include Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and 4K video recording, delivering consistency across generations.
  • Audio playback: Both support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos for 3D surround sound experiences with music and movies.
  • Wireless charging: Both are compatible with MagSafe for 15W charging and Qi wireless pads at 7.5W.
  • Water resistance: Both phones carry IP68 water resistance, safe against accidental spills, splashes, and submersion in shallow water.
  • Software support: Both are iOS 18 compatible, ensuring continued updates, new features, and long-term security.
  • Security: Both rely on the Secure Enclave chip integrated with Face ID, maintaining privacy and secure transactions.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 13 Pro MaxiPhone 15
Display typeSuper Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED
Resolution2532 × 1170 pixels2556 × 1179 pixels
HDR supportHDR10 & Dolby VisionHDR10 & Dolby Vision
True ToneSupportedSupported
Wide color (P3)SupportedSupported
Ceramic ShieldFront protectionFront protection
5G connectivitySupportedSupported
Dual SIMnano-SIM + eSIMnano-SIM + eSIM
Face IDSupportedSupported
Front camera resolution12 MP TrueDepth12 MP TrueDepth
Front camera featuresNight Mode, Portrait, 4K videoNight Mode, Portrait, 4K video
Audio playbackSpatial Audio & Dolby AtmosSpatial Audio & Dolby Atmos
Wireless chargingMagSafe 15W & Qi 7.5WMagSafe 15W & Qi 7.5W
Water resistanceIP68 ratedIP68 rated
Software supportiOS 18 compatibleiOS 18 compatible
SecuritySecure Enclave with Face IDSecure Enclave with Face ID
Price Check iPhone 13 Pro Max Price Check iPhone 15 Price

FAQ

Does the iPhone 15 support Dynamic Island like the newer Pro models?
Yes, the iPhone 15 includes Dynamic Island, giving it a more modern interactive design, whereas the iPhone 13 Pro Max still uses the traditional notch layout.

Which phone is lighter and easier to handle?
The iPhone 15 is significantly lighter at 171 g and more compact, making it easier to hold and use with one hand, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max weighs 240 g and has a larger footprint that may feel bulky to some users.

Which device has the better processor?
The iPhone 15 comes with the A16 Bionic chip, which is more power efficient and slightly faster compared to the A15 Bionic inside the iPhone 13 Pro Max, ensuring smoother multitasking and better thermal control.

How do the rear cameras compare between these two models?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a triple-camera setup including a telephoto lens for 3× optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 only has two cameras but introduces a new 48 MP main sensor for higher detail and improved low-light performance.

Does the iPhone 15 have a telephoto zoom lens like the Pro Max?
No, the iPhone 15 does not include a telephoto lens, so it lacks true optical zoom, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max supports 3× optical zoom for clearer magnification without losing image quality.

What is the difference in charging ports between the two phones?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max uses Apple’s Lightning connector, whereas the iPhone 15 transitions to USB-C, which allows broader accessory compatibility but is limited to USB 2.0 speeds on the base model.

Which phone has a larger battery capacity?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a larger battery at around 4373 mAh, providing longer endurance in heavy use, while the iPhone 15 has about 3349 mAh, which is smaller but benefits from the power efficiency of the A16 chip.

Do both models support 5G connectivity?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 support 5G networks, enabling fast downloads and smooth video streaming across supported carriers worldwide.

Is Face ID available on both devices?
Yes, both phones feature Apple’s Face ID facial recognition system using the TrueDepth camera, offering secure unlocking, authentication, and payment authorization.

How do the storage options differ between the two models?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is available in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB options, making it better for power users who need maximum storage, while the iPhone 15 only comes in 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB capacities.

Do both devices support MagSafe charging?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 are compatible with MagSafe, allowing wireless charging at 15 W and easy attachment of magnetic accessories such as wallets and cases.

How do the brightness levels compare?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max reaches 1200 nits in HDR, while the iPhone 15 achieves up to 1600 nits HDR and 2000 nits in outdoor conditions, giving the newer model an advantage in direct sunlight readability.

Which device is more durable in terms of water resistance?
Both devices are IP68 rated, meaning they can withstand dust, splashes, and submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes, making them equally durable in everyday scenarios.

Which phone will get longer iOS support?
The iPhone 15, being two years newer, will receive more years of iOS updates compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, ensuring access to security patches and new features further into the future.

Leave a Comment