Should You Upgrade from the iPhone 13 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the iPhone 13 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, 3 years apart.
Yes — the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a worthwhile upgrade
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 3 years newer than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the BeastScore rises from 73.5 to 80.0. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, camera rated 10 points higher, battery rated 8 points higher. Trade-offs to know: launched $100 more expensive.
What you gain with the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- +Performance rated 8 points higher
- +Camera rated 10 points higher
- +Battery rated 8 points higher
- +333 mAh bigger battery
- +10W faster wireless charging
- +0.2" larger screen
- +1,000 nits brighter peak display
- +Higher-resolution main camera (+36 MP)
- +Longer optical zoom (+2x)
- +2 GB more RAM
- +11 g lighter
What you give up
- −Launched $100 more expensive
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 73.5 | 80.0 | +6.5 (9%) |
| Performance score | 72 | 80 | +8 (11%) |
| Camera score | 75 | 85 | +10 (13%) |
| Battery score | 70 | 78 | +8 (11%) |
| Display score | 86 | 88 | No real change |
| Battery capacity | 4,352 mAh | 4,685 mAh | +333 mAh (8%) |
| Wired charging | 27W | 27W | No real change |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | +10W (67%) |
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.9" | +0.2" (3%) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 2,000 nits | +1,000 nits (100%) |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 48 MP | +36 MP (300%) |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 5x | +2x (67%) |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | +2 GB (33%) |
| Weight | 238 g | 227 g | −11 g (5%) |
| Launch price | $1,099 | $1,199 | +$100 (9%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- You shoot a lot of zoom and telephoto photos
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
- Your iPhone 13 Pro Max is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down
iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone 13 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Yes — the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a worthwhile upgrade. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 3 years newer than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the BeastScore rises from 73.5 to 80.0. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, camera rated 10 points higher, battery rated 8 points higher. Trade-offs to know: launched $100 more expensive.
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Performance rated 8 points higher: 72 on the iPhone 13 Pro Max vs 80 on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Does the iPhone 16 Pro Max have a bigger battery than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4,685 mAh battery versus 4,352 mAh on the iPhone 13 Pro Max (+333 mAh (8%)).
Who should upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You shoot a lot of zoom and telephoto photos; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen; Your iPhone 13 Pro Max is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down.