iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Everything You Need To Know Before Choosing!

With roomy displays, ultra-advanced cameras and powerhouse batteries, Pro Max iPhones are Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhone models. But even the lowest-priced iPhone 16 Pro Max costs nearly $1800, which may lead you to consider an iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max as a more affordable alternative.

Since Apple only carries their top-of-the-line Pro and Pro Max models for a year after release, they don’t sell the iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max anymore, but that doesn’t mean they’re outdated. They’re both luxury phones that are in high demand and available from refurbished dealers. (If you’re wondering where to buy a refurbished phone, read our guide on the best places to buy a refurbished iPhone in Canada.)

If you’re looking for a high-end iPhone right now, you may be wondering: is the iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max still good in 2024? And should I buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max? In this post we’ll break down a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.

Not sure what to expect from a refurbished iPhone? Check out this comprehensive guide to buying refurbished iPhones. 

Review of the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max

Review of the iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2025

The iPhone 13 Pro Max was the most premium phone on the market on its release in late 2021. A little over three years later, it still stands up as a competitive option. 

It has a feature-packed camera that rivals even the latest iPhone models, and excellent battery life, supported by its fast A15 Bionic processor. It should receive updates for at least 4 more years, until late 2028.

Plus, its glass back and sleek aluminum edges give a modern, elegant appearance. You can own it in one of six attractive colour finishes: light blue, black, gold, silver and green.

Review of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2025

Released in late 2023 and a little over a year old, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is close to the cutting edge. It can do everything the iPhone 16 Pro Max does with ease. 

The iPhone 15 line represents a major year for iPhone innovations, bringing USB type-C charging and the Action Button. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are also the only models outside of the iPhone 16 series compatible with the Apple Intelligence suite of AI features released in late 2024. It also features Dynamic Island, which uses the front camera notch to show information from background apps.

Driving all these great features is the A17 Pro processor, which includes a six-core GPU and allows some on-device AI processing. This state-of-the-art processor should allow iOS updates until at least 2030. Performance is also improved with 8 GB of RAM, compared to 6 GB on older models.

On top of the under-the-hood changes, Apple refreshed the design of the phone, upgrading the frame from stainless steel to titanium, reducing bezels and adding a slightly curved display. The iPhone 15 Pro Max colour options are understated shades of black, white, silver and blue.

Phone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Price?

How much is a refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max?

The price of a refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max in Canada depends on the seller, storage capacity and exterior condition of the phone. At the time of writing in 2025, they range around $800 - $1,000.

At launch in late 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro Max retailed starting at $1,549 in Canada. It was discontinued the next year with the release of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Here at Orchard, you can snag a refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max starting at $859. For a more affordable option, check out the similar (but smaller) iPhone 13 Pro, or the previous year’s iPhone 12 Pro Max.

How much is a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max?

Prices of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Canada vary by seller, as well as the storage capacity and exterior condition of the phone. At the time of writing in 2025, they’re in the $1,200 - $1,900 range.

When the iPhone 15 Pro Max launched in late 2023, pricing started at $1,749. The iPhone 15 Pro Max was discontinued with the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro Max the next year.

At Orchard, a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,299. A smaller but more cost-effective option is the iPhone 15 Pro. If screen size is important, you can also check out the same-sized iPhone 15 Plus, or the previous year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max.

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Size, display, weight

The iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max both sport a 6.7 inch (170mm) Super Retina XDR OLED display. On the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the screen has a typical maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, going up to 1,200 nits for HDR content. The iPhone 15 Pro Max doubles that brightness to 2,000 nits when outdoors, significantly enhancing visibility in bright environments. (It uses the same screen as the 14 Pro Max, which was rated the best display on the market.)

Despite having the same screen size, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s reduced bezels make the device a little smaller than the 13 Pro Max, though it’s also a touch thicker. The dimensions of the two phones are:

• iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6.33” (160.8 mm) x 3.07” (78.1 mm) x 0.3” (7.65 mm)
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.29”(159.9 mm) x 3.02” (76.7 mm) x 0.32” (8.25 mm)

The iPhone 13 Pro Max weighs 240 grams. Impressively, the new titanium frame of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max reduces the phone’s weight by 19 grams, bringing the iPhone 15 Pro Max to 221 grams.

An important difference between the two phones is the front camera area. On the 13 Pro Max this is a notch flush with the edge of the screen, but the 15 Pro Max transforms the notch into the floating pill-shaped Dynamic Island, which both houses the front camera and allows background apps to display information and alerts.

Newly with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone’s longstanding mute toggle has been replaced with the Action Button, a customizable button to quickly use phone features or switch settings (including mute, if that’s what you want!)

In short, both of these phones have premium displays and beautiful aesthetics, though the iPhone 15 Pro Max wins points for its super-bright screen. For the most sleek and modern design in a lightweight package, with glowing screen performance and the cool Dynamic Island feature, you’ll want to go with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. If you don’t mind a phone that’s a little heavier and you’re not interested in Dynamic Island, the iPhone 13 Pro Max still offers a high-quality viewing experience at a lower price. 

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Software support

The latest version of iOS may not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually pretty important. On top of the cool new features, it comes with key performance and security upgrades that keep your phone running smoothly and safely. And if your iOS version falls too far behind, you may not be able to use certain apps. 

That’s why wise shoppers look for iPhones that will get at least a few more years of software updates. Read on to see how this applies to the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max.

How long will the iPhone 13 Pro Max continue to receive software support?

Strictly speaking, no one knows exactly how long the iPhone 13 Pro Max will continue to receive software support. But we can make an educated guess.

Generally, iPhones receive 6 to 8 years of software updates, with most getting 7 years.

Assuming the iPhone 13 Pro Max will receive 7 years of updates, it should be supported at least through late 2028 – almost 4 more years at the time of writing. While it’s not the maximum possible support (you’ll only get that from a brand-new phone), this still surpasses most other phones on the market today.

How long will the iPhone 15 Pro Max continue to receive software support?

As with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, there’s no crystal ball that can say exactly when the iPhone 15 Pro Max will stop receiving software updates.

But if we assume the same 7 years of support, that means it will get updates for (at a minimum) almost 6 more years, until at least fall 2030. That’s a serious amount of time that should keep your phone reliable, secure and innovative until you start to get the itch for something new.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max will both benefit from software updates for years to come. For those seeking serious longevity, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is your pick, but the (at least) 4 years of support we forecast for the iPhone 13 Pro Max is already longer than the typical upgrade cycle for most. 

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Battery life and charging

As the elite tier of iPhones, Pro Max models have incredible battery life that won’t disappoint average users or even most power users. Battery performance is similar between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max, though the 15 Pro Max may have a slight edge as the newer model. 

We know how important battery health is, which is why Orchard guarantees at least a day of battery life on all the phones we sell. Read on for the testing details. 

What is the battery life on the iPhone 13 Pro Max?

According to Apple’s estimates, the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s battery allows up to 28 hours of screen-on time. Like all of Apple’s battery claims, take this with a grain of salt. Their perfect testing conditions don’t always translate to the real world.

A more realistic result is between 12 hours of web browsing (Tom's Guide) and 24 hours for offline video watching (GSM Arena). This very respectable number is similar to the performance on the 15 Pro Max.  The battery life you’ll get depends on many factors like screen brightness, mobile network, notifications and other settings.

Unlike the 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 13 Pro Max charges with the classic iPhone Lightning connector rather than USB type-C. It’s fast-charge capable with a 20W adapter.

What is the battery life on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

As you might expect, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has advanced battery efficiency: Apple’s “perfect world” battery estimate is up to 29 hours of screen-on time. That number may be idealistic, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max clearly has outstanding battery performance that is comparable to the 13 Pro Max.

Web surfing tests performed by Tom’s Guide found a battery life of about 14 hours, and GSMArena reached 22 hours of video watching. Depending on your settings and mobile network, you should expect to see results close to that range.

Notably, the iPhone 15 line is Apple’s first to use the USB type-C connector for charging and data transfer. While the new standard allows much higher data speeds, charging times are around the same as previous iPhone fast chargers.

As you can see, neither phone has a significant edge in terms of battery life out of the box, although the iPhone 15 Pro Max, as a newer phone, may offer a slightly healthier battery in a refurbished unit. What might make the iPhone 15 Pro Max more compelling is its shift to the USB type-C standard, allowing you to ditch the extra cables and charge all your devices the same way.

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Camera

Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max were especially big years for camera upgrades, making these two phones superb for photography. Below, we’ll examine the differences and see how big the changes are between the 13 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max.

Main camera on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a fantastic 12 megapixel main camera, delivering vibrant photos that were industry-leading at launch. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, however, takes things up a notch with its 48 megapixel sensor, which allows for incredible detail and flexibility when cropping or editing photos. While both cameras excel, the 15 Pro Max's higher resolution provides an edge for those looking to capture the finer details.

Low light on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max

The 13 Pro Max set a high standard for smartphone cameras when it was introduced (Tom’s Guide), producing bright images with good detail, especially in Night mode. That said, the 15 Pro Max enhances low-light performance further, thanks to advanced image processing and the 48MP sensor. If you’re shooting in dim settings, the 15 Pro Max delivers incredibly bright and sharp results, but the 13 Pro Max still holds its own.

Zoom on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max

The 13 Pro Max offers a solid 3x optical zoom – more than enough for most users’ day-to-day needs. The 15 Pro Max, however, extends the reach to 5x optical zoom, giving you even more flexibility for close-ups of faraway objects.

If you’re looking for a phone with outstanding zoom capabilities (any bird watchers reading?), the iPhone 15 Pro Max will certainly satisfy, with startlingly detailed images of distant subjects. The 13 Pro Max, however, is an excellent choice if the 3x optical zoom is sufficient for your photography needs. 

To get a sense of what each zoom level means, check out this comparison shot of the CN Tower, about 5 kilometres away from our Toronto HQ.

3x zoom on iPhone 13 Pro Max                               5x zoom on iPhone 15 Pro Max

   

Ultrawide on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max

The ultra-wide cameras on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max share the same 12MP resolution and are excellent for capturing landscapes or fitting large groups into frame. While the 15 Pro Max benefits from updated sensors that slightly enhance low-light performance and reduce noise, the differences aren’t dramatic in most scenarios. Both phones deliver high-quality results, but the 15 Pro Max offers subtle improvements in challenging lighting conditions.

Video on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max

Both phones are video powerhouses, supporting ProRes and Dolby Vision for stunning footage. The 13 Pro Max introduced Cinematic Video Mode, which uses AI to create depth-of-field and focus changes similar to what you’d see in a professionally shot movie. The 15 Pro Max builds on that foundation with enhanced stabilization and HDR, for smoother and more lifelike videos. While both devices are excellent for taking video, the 15 Pro Max creates a refined experience for serious videographers.

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Chip, Performance and 5G

Chip, Performance and 5G of the iPhone 13 Pro Max?

The iPhone 13 Pro Max features the A15 Bionic chip, which was groundbreaking at launch and remains a strong performer today. It’s fully 5G compatible and handles everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking with ease. 

The A15 was the same chip used across the entire iPhone 13 lineup, meaning the Pro Max didn’t offer a significant leap in performance over the base models. That said, the chip was so capable that Apple reused it for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, which may indicate the potential for longer iOS support than average on the 13 Pro Max.

Chip, Performance and 5G of the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the bleeding-edge A17 Pro chip, delivering a significant leap in performance. Its advanced architecture means smoother multitasking, enhanced gaming graphics, and even on-device AI processing. 

Since the A17 Pro is exclusive to the Pro models in the iPhone 15 lineup, it highlights the premium experience offered by the Pro Max. This chip also sets the stage for longer iOS update support, ensuring the 15 Pro Max stays relevant for years longer than the 13 Pro Max.

The 15 Pro Max’s modem received a considerable upgrade from previous generations, enabling blazing-fast 5G streaming.

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Specs

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Which is right for you?

The iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a premium device with a fantastic camera, excellent battery life, and years of software support ahead. It’s a great choice for those who want top-tier performance at a more affordable price. 

On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces cutting-edge technology with Apple Intelligence, USB-C charging, the latest camera advancements, and the customizable Action Button. It stands up as a superior choice even to the base-model iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, with the same innovative software features in a luxury hardware package with a better camera. For those who want everything the iPhone 16 series has to offer (and more!) at a significant discount, the 15 Pro Max is the clear winner.