Apple iPhone 13 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Our Verdict: Between iPhone 13 and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the question is how much the newer hardware matters to you. iPhone 17 Pro Max has the larger display, 6.9 inches against 6.1, while iPhone 17 Pro Max has the higher-resolution main camera, 48MP to 12MP; iPhone 17 Pro Max stretches further on storage, topping out at 2TB rather than 512GB. The contract pricing strongly favours iPhone 13, making iPhone 17 Pro Max the harder sell unless its extras matter to you. iPhone 17 Pro Max is the choice for those specific extras, but iPhone 13 is easier to justify for most contracts.

The 13 is the cheaper one to own: around £433 over a typical contract, £788 less than the 17 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 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic Apple A19 Pro
Battery
3,227 mAh 4,823 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
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 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm
Weight
173 grams 233 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£12.99/mo (£99.00 upfront) £44.99/mo (£119.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£194.99 £1035.00

Prices updated 17 July 2026

Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple iPhone 17 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 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic Apple A19 Pro
Battery 3,227 mAh 4,823 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
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 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm
Weight 173 grams 233 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £12.99/mo
£99.00 upfront
£44.99/mo
£119.00 upfront
SIM-free £194.99 £1035.00
Prices updated 17 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13

24 Months

128GB

Midnight

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£12.99 per month, £99 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Deep Blue

10GB

Data

£44.99 per month, £119 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 17 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 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 17 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 17 Pro Max has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 17 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 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £194.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 13 is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 13 or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 13 is the more portable of the two: it's 60g 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 17 Pro Max?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.