iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 3 points overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The iPhone 13 edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.
Value Score: iPhone 13 60 · iPhone 13 Pro Max 63 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
Around $249 refurbished, the iPhone 13 is one of the cheapest ways into iOS in 2026 — but the clock is the real story here, with only about two years of estimated updates left rather than five.
Pick it if
- ✓ Tight budgets
- ✓ A child's first iPhone
- ✓ A cheap backup phone
Skip it if
- ✗ You keep phones four or more years
- ✗ You want USB-C
- ✗ You care about AI features
Once the best phone money could buy, now ~$383 used — but with an estimated two-plus years of updates left, you're paying flagship-nostalgia prices for a window that's more than half gone.
Pick it if
- ✓ Big-screen buyers capped under $400
- ✓ Battery-life seekers
- ✓ Two-year stopgaps
Skip it if
- ✗ You keep phones 3+ years
- ✗ You can stretch to a used 14 Pro Max — the math favors it
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
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 is a wash — same chip tier.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
4,352mAh vs 3,240mAh — the iPhone 13 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.
Both phones' support windows end around the same time.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Frequently asked
Is the iPhone 13 still supported in 2026, and for how long?
Yes — it still runs the latest iOS in 2026. It launched in September 2021, so on Apple's typical seven-year pattern we estimate updates ending around September 2028; Apple's written five-year minimum has already been met (September 2026). Treat the 2028 figure as an informed estimate, not a promise.
Should I buy the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 16e?
The 16e costs more but is the smarter long-term buy: it adds years of extra update runway into 2032, an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence, and USB-C. Choose the iPhone 13 only if the low refurbished price is the deciding factor and you plan to keep it a couple of years at most.
Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max still supported in 2026?
Yes — it runs the latest iOS in 2026, and Apple confirmed at WWDC 2026 that it will get iOS 27. On Apple's typical seven-year pattern, we estimate updates until around September 2028, roughly 27 months from now.
Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max worth buying in 2026?
It's borderline. At ~$383 with about 27 months of estimated support, you pay ~$14 per month of safe use — more than a used iPhone 14 Pro Max (~$437, ~$11/month) once its extra year of support is counted. Buy the 13 Pro Max only if you find one meaningfully under $380.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $249 | $383 |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, 1200 nits HDR peak |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 3,240 mAh | 4,352 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide | 12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto 3x |
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.65 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.65 mm |
| Weight | 174 g | 240 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Sep 2028 | Sep 2028 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.