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Phone Comparison

Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
8.9 / 10
Compass Score
From 40 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 41 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 17 Pro

A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users.

+
Good
+ Improved battery life
+ Outstanding performance
+ High-quality cameras
+ Advanced cooling system
+ Vibrant display
−
Not
− High price point
− Heavier design
− Limited AI features
− Camera control issues
− No charger included

iPhone 13 Pro Max

The decision between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max essentially comes down to screen size and battery life. If you want the best of both — and don’t mind the price tag — the Pro Max is the ultimate 2021 iPhone model.

Spec data

How they compare

iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Price (MSRP)
$1,099
Price (MSRP)
$1,099
OS
iOS
OS
iOS
Processor
Apple A19 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Hexa-core
Camera zoom
16Γ—
Camera zoom
6Γ—
Battery life
15h 23m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
β€”
Wired charging
40W
Wired charging
β€”
Wireless charging
25W
Wireless charging
β€”
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Display
Color
Software support
β€”
Software support
β€”
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
β€”
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
Weight
240g (8.5 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
DxOMark
168
photo 166 Β· video 172
DxOMark
141
photo 140 Β· video 146
AnTuTu v10
2.63M
AnTuTu v10
β€”
GSMArena endurance
15h 23m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
β€”
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
β€”
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 17 Pro
5.9" × 2.8"
iPhone 13 Pro Max
6.3" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 17 Pro
0.3"
iPhone 13 Pro Max
0.3"
Height
5.9" (150 mm)
Height
6.3" (160.8 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.9 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.7 mm)
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
Weight
240g (8.5 oz)
Screen
6.3"
Screen
6.7"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Also compared

Related comparisons

Other head-to-head matchups for the phones on this page.

Common questions

iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 13 Pro Max earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.9 for the iPhone 17 Pro. That 0.1-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which phone has better zoom, the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Pro offers 16 optical zoom, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max tops out at 6. Optical zoom preserves full detail at distance; digital zoom crops and upscales, which softens fine textures. If you regularly shoot sports, wildlife, or concerts, the iPhone 17 Pro gives you noticeably sharper reach.
Which takes better photos, the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 17 Pro at 166 and the iPhone 13 Pro Max at 140 for still photography. A 26-point gap on DxOMark's scale typically translates to visible differences in dynamic range, noise control, or colour accuracy. Real-world results also depend on computational processing and your shooting habits, so consider browsing sample shots for scenes you care about most.
Should I buy the iPhone 17 Pro or the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 17 Pro: "A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users." On the iPhone 13 Pro Max: "The decision between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max essentially comes down to screen size and battery life." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated November 2026. Suggest a correction →