iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 14 Plus?
Exploring the differences between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 may not bring much new – the question mostly comes down to price. For those wishing to stay on the cutting edge of technology, the iPhone 14 is recommended, while the iPhone 13 may be a more cost-effective choice.
The main innovation is the iPhone 14 Plus, equipped with a large 6.7-inch screen. It’s the perfect choice for those who can’t get enough of the 6.1-inch standard iPhone 14 or want to avoid the extra cost of the more expensive iPhone 14 Pro Max. But it is worth noting that there is a direct competitor for the new iPhone – the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
It is worth mentioning that even though the iPhone 13 Pro Max has been discontinued from the Apple store, stock is still available and, in practice, this smartphone will be sold within about a year from the remaining stock.
Design
In terms of the combination of weight and size, the iPhone 14 Plus looks more attractive. Both devices have the same screen size, but the iPhone 14 Plus is slightly thicker while being significantly lighter than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Here are their sizes:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.65mm, weight 240g
- iPhone 14 Plus: 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8mm, weight 203g
Both smartphones are protected by Ceramic Shield glass, but the frame of the iPhone 14 is made of aluminum, while the frame of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is made of steel.
Screen
Both devices have screens with a diagonal of 6.7 inches and use OLED technology. However, an important advantage of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is support for a 120Hz refresh rate, which is not available on models without the “Pro” label. This is especially pleasing to the eye and can increase comfort of use. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is also slightly brighter, with 1,000 nits versus 800 nits for the iPhone 14 Plus, though the difference is hardly noticeable in actual use.
Specifications
The 5nm Apple A15 Bionic processor found in last year’s iPhone line is still relevant and continues to be used in the 14 series. The iPhone 13 Pro Max and 14 Plus have 6 GB of RAM and internal memory from 128 to 512 GB. At the same time, Pro Max is also available in a 1 TB version – for those who prefer to have everything they need at hand.
Despite the general characteristics, there are certain differences. For example, the iPhone 14 Plus is equipped with a newer version of Bluetooth 5.3 instead of 5.0, supports emergency notifications via satellites and calls for emergency services in car accidents.
The iPhone 14 Plus, designed for the US market, has lost the physical SIM tray, getting two eSIMs in return. In other markets, this change is not provided, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max is no different.
Work time
During the presentation, the iPhone 14 Plus is declared as the leader in terms of battery life among all iPhone models. However, if we compare the real characteristics, it works for 26 hours when playing video, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max reaches 28 hours. When watching streaming video, the 13 Pro Max again wins: 25 hours versus 20. However, in audio player mode, the iPhone 14 Plus is ahead: it has 100 hours versus 95 from a competitor.
Сameras
Based on the specs, the iPhone 14 Plus camera is an improvement over the iPhone 13 camera, but it’s still inferior to the iPhone 13 Pro Max camera. At least in terms of the number of cameras: it lacks a telephoto lens with a triple optical zoom.
On the other hand, selfie lovers may be happy about the improved front-facing camera, which is now f/1.9 instead of f/2.2, allowing for better low-light photos.
The wide-angle camera on the iPhone 14 Plus has a smaller aperture and, theoretically, works worse: f / 2.4 versus f / 1.8 on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. However, both smartphones are equipped with optical stabilization, and the iPhone 14 Plus has a new Action Mode that allows you to minimize the effect of shaky hands. Another feature of the iPhone 14 Plus is the new Photonic Engine, which processes images using artificial neural networks to improve the quality of images taken in low light.
Choice between models
Last year’s flagship, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, costs $1,099 for the 128GB version, while the iPhone 14 Plus costs $899 for the same capacity. The price of the 13 Pro Max is expected to drop by around $100-150 and become very attractive.
The 13 Pro Max has several advantages: a more attractive design, a 120Hz refresh rate screen, an optional third camera for portraits, a 1TB version, support for ProRaw and ProRes, macro capability.
The iPhone 14 Plus has its advantages: it’s cheaper, it’s the latest model, it’s noticeably lighter, it has an improved front-facing camera, and new camera software improvements.
Apple has already stopped production of the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max lines, and the choice between buying a smartphone from the remaining stock or waiting for a new model remains with the buyer. However, the rule “last year’s flagship is a rational purchase” is still valid.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that about 85% of pre-orders in the Chinese market are for the 14 Pro and Pro Max, and about 10% for the base iPhone 14. This leaves only about 5% of those who want to purchase the iPhone 14 Plus, which looks quite small. given that the situation was similar with the iPhone 12 and 13 mini – the demand for small models was lower than for everyone else.
