Apple iPhone 13 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Our Verdict: There is not a single universal winner here: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max brings a larger 6.9-inch display, and the Apple iPhone 13 counters with a lower current starting price, about £200 versus £685. Apple iPhone 13 is currently cheaper to buy outright by roughly £485; the screen sizes are 6.1 inches for Apple iPhone 13 and 6.9 inches for Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Put the Apple iPhone 13 first for keeping the upfront or SIM-free spend lower, and put the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max first if its extra hardware advantages line up with how you use your phone.

Over a full contract, the 13 works out around £433 all-in, about £599 less than the 16 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.6
10 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.9"
Display
OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
2532 x 1170 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch
457 458
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic Apple A18 Pro
Battery
3,227 mAh 4,685 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm
Weight
173 grams 227 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£12.99/mo (£99.00 upfront) £41.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£199.00 £699.00

Prices updated 19 July 2026

Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Expert Rating 4.6
10 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.9"
Display OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2532 x 1170 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch 457 458
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic Apple A18 Pro
Battery 3,227 mAh 4,685 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm
Weight 173 grams 227 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £12.99/mo
£99.00 upfront
£41.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £199.00 £699.00
Prices updated 19 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13

24 Months

128GB

Green

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£12.99 per month, £99 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£41.79 per month, £29 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper on contract at £433.16 over the life of the deal from £12.99 per month with £99.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 13's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 13 uses a OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £199.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 13 is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses the Apple A18 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 is the more portable of the two: it's 54g lighter at 173 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm, and is slimmer at 7.65mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.