PhoneLifespan

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs 12 Pro

vs

It depends

Too close to call outright

These two are within 0 points overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The iPhone 13 Pro Max edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.

Value Score: iPhone 13 Pro Max 63 · 12 Pro 63 methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max $383
Buy with care$14.07/mo
2021◆ Buy-by Sep 20262028
Realme 12 Pro $245
Buy with care$12.65/mo
2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20262028

Category by category

Display
iPhone 13 Pro Max 8012 Pro 70

The iPhone 13 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch super retina xdr oled, promotion 120hz, 1200 nits hdr peak.

Performance
iPhone 13 Pro Max 7412 Pro 46

The iPhone 13 Pro Max's Apple A15 Bionic is simply the faster chip.

Camera
iPhone 13 Pro Max 6412 Pro 79

The 12 Pro has the stronger camera system — same lens count, higher-grade sensors.

Battery
iPhone 13 Pro Max 6712 Pro 80

5,000mAh vs 4,352mAh — the 12 Pro lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity
iPhone 13 Pro Max 3212 Pro 23

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2028 — 8 months longer than the 12 Pro.

Value
iPhone 13 Pro Max 6312 Pro 63

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 13 Pro Max12 Pro
Price (street)$383$245
Display6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, 1200 nits HDR peak6.7-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, 950 nits peak
ChipsetApple A15 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
RAM6GB8GB/12GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery4,352 mAh5,000 mAh
Charging20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless67W wired
Rear cameras12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto 3x50MP main, 32MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide
Dimensions160.8 × 78.1 × 7.65 mm161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm
Weight240 g190 g
Water resistanceIP68IP65
Supported untilSep 2028Jan 2028

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.