iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max

Facing a tough decision between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 Pro Max? These phones are similar in size and weight, but they do differ in some ways. They come in different colors and have slightly different components. Here are some of the key differences to help you choose between the 12 and 13 Pro Max models.

Is iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max the same?

While these iPhones sure do look alike, they’re not exactly the same on the inside. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, while the 13 Pro Max features the newer A15 chip. If you play video games or stream a lot of content on your phone, you might appreciate the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s faster refresh rate and smoother scrolling interface.

Both phones still deliver fast processing speeds, but what sets the A15 (and the iPhone 13 series) apart is that the newer chip is better at efficiency and managing power, so you’ll get a longer battery life from the iPhone 13 Pro Max than the 12 Pro Max. According to Apple, the iPhone 13 Pro Max battery can last up to 28 hours of video playback, compared to 20 hours for the 12 Pro Max.

Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max screen the same size as the 12 Pro Max?

Yes, both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max have a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display. While the screen size is technically the same, the notch at the top of the screen is smaller on the 13 Pro Max for a slightly enlarged viewable area.

The 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max also share the same super-sized dimensions when it comes to height (6.33 inches) and width (3.07 inches). The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a bit thicker than the 12 Pro Max, adding 0.01 inches to the depth measurement. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is also heavier, weighing 8.46 ounces compared to 8.03 ounces for the 12 Pro Max.

iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max storage

While they’re almost the same physical size, the storage capacities of the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max differ. Both the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro Max are available in 128, 256, or 512GB capacities. However, the iPhone 13 Pro Max adds another option: 1TB. If you’re looking for max capacity, the 13 Pro Max has it.

iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max colors

The colors for the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max vary slightly from the previous iPhone 12 Pro hues. Both phones are available in gold, silver, and graphite but the remaining color options are different.

Instead of the Pacific Blue color of the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, the 13 Pro models come in Sierra Blue, a lighter shade of blue with less teal than the previous shade. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are also available in Alpine Green, while there’s no green color for the 12 Pro models.

iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max camera

Both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max feature Apple’s Pro 12MP camera system with Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide lenses. The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers greater zoom capabilities, with 3x optical zoom in compared to the 12 Pro Max’s 2.5x and digital zoom up to 15x compared to the 12 Pro Max’s 12x. 

A larger sensor on the 13 Pro Max camera improves the quality of photos in low light conditions. Apple also introduced Photographic Styles with the iPhone 13 series, which allows users to personalize their photos by changing the tone. 

Both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max offer plenty of advanced video recording capabilities. Cinematic Mode is available on the iPhone 13 lineup, which helps users shift the focus to a subject while blurring the background of a video (sort of like iPhone photo’s Portrait Mode, but for videos).

Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 12 Pro Max to 13 Pro Max?

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a great buy, especially if you shop refurbished. You’ll get plenty of power and performance along with Apple’s sleek design. Upgrading to the iPhone 13 Pro Max is worth it for users looking for more advanced camera features, longer battery life, or a faster refresh rate.

Max out your iPhone without breaking the bank by shopping refurbished. Buying a refurbished iPhone not only means you’ll save money, you’ll also do the planet a favor by helping to reduce e-waste.