iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 – Detailed Comparison for Buyers

When you place the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 side-by-side, the choice isn’t as straightforward as “newer is better.” Both are powerful, well-built Apple devices, but they cater to slightly different needs. Whether you value a massive display, superior battery life, cutting-edge features, or long-term software support, understanding their strengths and trade-offs can help you make a smarter decision.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, both phones carry Apple’s clean, flat-edged aesthetic, but subtle differences make them feel distinct in the hand.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the larger of the two, sporting a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion. The 120Hz refresh rate gives scrolling a buttery smoothness and makes animations feel more responsive. It still uses the familiar notch at the top, which blends into the design after a while but does take up some screen space.

The iPhone 15 opts for a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel without ProMotion. It’s smaller, lighter, and easier to hold, but its 60Hz refresh rate means it lacks the same ultra-fluid feel of the Pro Max. However, it introduces Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped interactive cutout first seen on the iPhone 14 Pro lineup. It’s not just a cosmetic change; it displays real-time updates like timers, music playback, or navigation prompts, adding a touch of interactivity to everyday use.

Build materials differ too. The 13 Pro Max uses stainless steel sides that feel premium and weighty, while the iPhone 15 features aluminum edges with slightly curved contours for improved comfort. Both have frosted glass backs, MagSafe support, and IP68 water and dust resistance.

Ports and Charging

Here’s a big generational shift  USB-C arrives with the iPhone 15. For years, Apple stuck to the Lightning connector, but the newer model embraces the universal standard, making charging and data transfer more versatile (and EU-compliant).

The 13 Pro Max keeps the Lightning port. If you have a lot of Lightning cables and accessories, this might be more convenient  but for future-proofing, USB-C is the better bet.

Display Quality

If size and refresh rate matter most, the 13 Pro Max takes the crown. Its 6.7-inch OLED not only offers more screen real estate but also delivers ProMotion smoothness that the iPhone 15 simply can’t match. Gamers, video editors, and heavy scrollers will feel the difference.

The iPhone 15’s display is still sharp, bright, and color-accurate  perfect for most users  and Dynamic Island gives it a modern touch. But once you’ve experienced 120Hz, it’s hard to go back.

Camera Systems

The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a triple-lens rear camera setup:

• 12MP wide
  
• 12MP ultra-wide
  
• 12MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
  It also includes a LiDAR scanner for better depth mapping and low-light focusing.
  

The iPhone 15 has a dual-lens system:

• 48MP wide (a major upgrade over the 13 Pro Max’s main lens)
  
• 12MP ultra-wide
  

This 48MP sensor captures more detail and enables a new 2x telephoto option by cropping from the main sensor, delivering zoom shots without an actual telephoto lens. In bright conditions, the iPhone 15 produces incredibly crisp images. However, for dedicated zoom performance and flexibility, the 13 Pro Max still has the edge thanks to its optical telephoto lens and higher maximum zoom (up to 15x digital vs the 15’s 10x).

In short: the iPhone 15 wins for sheer detail and everyday shooting, while the 13 Pro Max remains stronger for zoom and pro-level versatility.

Performance

Under the hood, the iPhone 15 is powered by Apple’s A16 Bionic chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 14 Pro series. The iPhone 13 Pro Max uses the A15 Bionic, still a powerhouse that easily handles gaming, photo editing, and multitasking.

In real-world use, both feel fast and fluid. The A16 is more power-efficient, slightly better in graphics performance, and will give the iPhone 15 an edge in longevity when future iOS updates demand more from the hardware.

Software and Longevity

If you want the phone that will receive updates for the longest period, the iPhone 15 is the obvious choice. Being two generations newer, it will likely get around two extra years of iOS updates compared to the 13 Pro Max.

That said, the 13 Pro Max isn’t going anywhere soon. Expect at least four more years of major updates, which is still more than enough for most users.

Battery Life

Here’s where the iPhone 13 Pro Max shines  and it’s not close. Thanks to its larger battery and ProMotion display (which can drop to lower refresh rates to save power), the 13 Pro Max remains one of Apple’s longest-lasting iPhones. Heavy users can often stretch it into two-day territory with moderate use.

The iPhone 15 has good endurance, but its smaller battery and 60Hz display mean it can’t quite match the Pro Max in marathon usage.

Pricing and Value

At launch, the iPhone 13 Pro Max was a $1,099 flagship, but in today’s market, you can often find it used or refurbished for under $700. That’s incredible value for a phone that still feels top-tier.

The iPhone 15 retails starting around $799 and, being new, rarely sees steep discounts. For some, the peace of mind of buying a brand-new device with the latest port and features justifies the cost. For others, the savings on a Pro Max are too good to pass up.

Quick Specs Comparison

Final Verdict

When weighing iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 15, think about what matters most to you:

• Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max if you want the largest screen, ProMotion smoothness, superior zoom photography, and industry-leading battery life  all at a lower price point.
  
• Choose the iPhone 15 if you prefer a lighter phone, USB-C charging, Dynamic Island, a sharper 48MP main camera, and the longest possible software support.
  

Both are excellent phones. The 13 Pro Max still feels like a flagship in 2025, while the iPhone 15 blends modern design touches with future-proofing. It’s less about one being universally “better” and more about which one matches your lifestyle.

FAQs

Follow Phoonomo to never miss an update