iPhone 13 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 13 | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,299,090 | 2,980,000 | -56.4% |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A20 | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.9" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 3,240 | 4,900 | -33.9% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12 MP | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 24 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 4 GB / 128 GB | 12 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 4 GB / 512 GB | 12 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 174 | 219 | -20.5% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $799–$1,099 | $1,249–$1,649 | -36.0% |
- iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 56% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A20).
- iPhone 13 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 13 or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone 13 advantages
- Lightness (+21%)
- Affordability (+36%)
iPhone 18 Pro Max advantages
- Raw performance (+56%)
- Battery capacity (+34%)
- Display smoothness (+50%)
- Camera resolution (+75%)
- Memory (+67%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 13 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
- Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone 13 if you want the best value for money.
Value for money
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which should you choose?
iPhone 13 — Apple iOS 15 smartphone (2021) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A15 Bionic, 3240 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,299,090 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $799.
iPhone 18 Pro Max — Apple iOS 20 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A20, 4900 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,980,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,249.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster phone. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 56% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A20). iPhone 13 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster device on raw benchmarks (2,980,000 vs 1,299,090 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A20 against the Apple A15 Bionic. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 13 carries a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Batteries are 3,240 and 4,900 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12 MP versus 48+48+48+LiDAR MP, with 12 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 4 GB / 128 GB and 12 GB / 256 GB. The iPhone 13 is the more affordable at about $799 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 13 better than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone 18 Pro Max takes the overall edge, though iPhone 13 wins in specific areas worth weighing. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 56% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A20).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 56% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A20). iPhone 13 is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 13 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use. Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.