iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: Key Differences in 2026
The short answer: Buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max if your budget reaches it. It wins every category: faster A15 chip, better cameras, 5G, longer battery, and a brighter 120Hz display. In 2026, refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max units start around $379 and run to roughly $569 by storage and condition, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max starts around $219. Both run iOS 27, which Apple announced at WWDC on June 8, 2026 and released on September 14, 2026, so neither phone is about to lose software support. The real question is how much the better camera, ProMotion display, and longer battery are worth to you. Prices update live throughout this guide, sourced from certified refurbishers RefurbMe tracks, with Back Market leading on price.
Simo Elalj, CEO at RefurbMe Last updated · 9 min reading time
RefurbMe data point: Across every iPhone model RefurbMe tracks, the median time from Apple's announcement to the first refurbished unit in stock is 67 days (RefurbMe iPhone stats, as of October 2026). Both phones here are years past that window, so refurbished supply is deep and prices sit near their long-term floor.
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: How do they compare?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max leads the iPhone 11 Pro Max in every meaningful spec: an A15 Bionic chip (roughly 32% faster single-core than the A13), a 120Hz ProMotion display versus a fixed 60Hz panel, 5G versus 4G LTE, and 28 hours of video playback versus 20. The 11 Pro Max counters on price and weight alone, starting near $219 refurbished and weighing 14 g less. The sections below break down each difference across design, screen, performance, camera, storage, connectivity, battery, and charging.
Design and size
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is physically larger and heavier than the iPhone 11 Pro Max, a meaningful difference for one-handed use. The 13 Pro Max measures 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.3 inches and weighs 8.47 oz (240 g), while the iPhone 11 Pro Max measures 6.22 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches and weighs 7.97 oz (226 g). The gap is small on paper but noticeable in-hand.
The 13 Pro Max also switched to flat stainless steel edges, a departure from the rounded stainless steel band of the 11 Pro Max. The flat sides look sharp but can feel less comfortable during extended use. Both phones carry an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
For size-conscious buyers, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the easier phone to hold. If you are stepping up from an 11 Pro Max to a 13 Pro Max, expect the 13 to feel slightly larger in every dimension.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Screen
Both phones use OLED panels with the Super Retina XDR branding, but the 13 Pro Max pulls ahead in every display metric. The screen grows from 6.5 inches to 6.7 inches, and the screen-to-body ratio improves from 83.7% to 87.4% thanks to a smaller notch and thinner bezels.
The bigger upgrade is the ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations far smoother than the fixed 60Hz display on the 11 Pro Max. Brightness also improves: the iPhone 13 Pro Max reaches 1,000 nits typical and 2,000 nits peak outdoor, compared to 800 nits typical on the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The 13 also gains Ceramic Shield front glass for better drop resistance, while the 11 uses standard tempered glass.
Apple has led the smartphone market with its powerful chips. The A15 Bionic in the 13 Pro Max is built on a 5nm process with a maximum clock of 3,200 MHz and roughly 15 billion transistors. The A13 Bionic in the 11 Pro Max runs on 7nm with a 2,650 MHz clock, a clear generational step back.
Benchmark comparisons (Geekbench 5 era figures) show approximately a 32% gain in single-core performance and a 37% gain in multi-core performance for the A15 over the A13. The 13 Pro Max also raises RAM from 4GB to 6GB, which helps with multitasking and keeping more apps in memory simultaneously. For demanding games, video editing, or simply running modern iOS without slowdowns, the 13 Pro Max is the faster choice by a comfortable margin.
Camera
Camera quality is where the two phones diverge most sharply in real-world use. Both carry a triple-camera system with wide, telephoto, and ultra-wide lenses, and both can shoot 4K video with optical stabilization. The 11 Pro Max's Night Mode was excellent when it launched in 2019, and the 13 Pro Max extended that lead with faster apertures and larger sensors.
The differences go beyond specs. The 13 Pro Max captures a Night Mode photo in roughly 1 second, compared to 3 seconds on the 11 Pro Max, and it adds macro photography capable of close-ups as tight as 2 cm. Photographic Styles apply consistent creative adjustments to every photo in real time, and Cinematic Mode brings shallow depth-of-field video to a wide audience.
Photographic Styles
Image: Apple
The 13 Pro Max also carries a LiDAR scanner (absent on the 11 Pro Max), used for augmented reality accuracy and faster Night Mode portrait shots. Combined with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, the 13 delivers noticeably sharper handheld shots in low light.
Storage
Both phones offer non-expandable storage. The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, while the 11 Pro Max tops out at 512GB with a lower entry point of 64GB. If you need the maximum local storage available, the 1TB option on the 13 Pro Max is a clear advantage.
Connectivity
The iPhone 13 Pro Max supports 5G, while the 11 Pro Max is limited to 4G LTE. For users in areas with solid 5G coverage, the speed difference is real, particularly for streaming, cloud backups, and hotspot use. Both phones support Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and dual-SIM via eSIM.
Battery life
Battery life is one of the most significant practical differences. The 13 Pro Max reaches 28 hours of video playback and 25 hours of video streaming. The 11 Pro Max manages 20 hours of video playback and 12 hours of video streaming, a gap that is especially noticeable when watching content or commuting.
The 13 Pro Max also reaches up to 95 hours of audio playback versus 80 hours on the 11. For heavy users, the 13 stretches comfortably through a full day and then some; the 11 starts to show its age more visibly under sustained workloads.
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Charging
The iPhone 13 Pro Max supports up to 27W wired charging, versus 18W on the iPhone 11 Pro Max. In practice, both Apple phones tend to charge slowly compared to Android competitors; neither includes a charger in the box. The 13 Pro Max adds MagSafe compatibility for fast wireless attachment and charging at 15W, while the 11 Pro Max is limited to standard 7.5W Qi wireless charging.
Both phones are now available only on the refurbished market, and the price gap is the deciding factor for most buyers. RefurbMe tracks live listings across certified refurbishers so you can see the real floor before you buy.
iPhone 11 Pro Max refurbished price
The iPhone 11 Pro Max starts around $219 refurbished for a 64GB unit locked to Verizon, rising toward $425 for higher-storage models in excellent condition. Back Market typically holds the lowest entry price. Our refurbished iPhone 11 Pro Max buying guide covers battery checks, seller grades and carrier-locked listings for this model. Check the live floor below.
from $219in Good Refurbished iPhone 11 Pro Max · 3 configurations at 3 sellers. Checked Oct 5, 10:24 AM EDT.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max starts around $379 refurbished and runs to roughly $569 for the 1TB model, depending on storage and condition. The step up from the 11 Pro Max is not small in the used market, but the 13 Pro Max is the better buy if your budget reaches it. Compare refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max prices across sellers to find the current best deal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max better than the iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Yes, across every major category. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a faster A15 Bionic chip, 5G, a brighter ProMotion 120Hz display, much better cameras with macro and Cinematic Mode, and longer battery life. Both phones run the current iOS 27, but the A15 in the 13 Pro Max gives it a longer update runway. The only area where the 11 Pro Max wins is weight: it is about 14 grams lighter.
What is the size difference between the iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is slightly larger: 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.30 inches and 240 g, versus the iPhone 11 Pro Max at 6.22 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches and 226 g. The screen grows from 6.5 inches to 6.7 inches. The two feel similar in hand, though the 13 Pro Max is measurably taller and heavier.
Do the iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max still get iOS updates in 2026?
Yes. Both phones run iOS 27, which Apple announced at WWDC on June 8, 2026 and released on September 14, 2026. iOS 27 keeps the same iPhone 11 and later support list as iOS 26, so even the iPhone 11 Pro Max got one more major version. The 11 Pro Max is still the oldest supported model, so it sits closest to the end of its runway; the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with its newer A15 chip, can expect updates for longer.
Is the iPhone 11 Pro Max still worth buying in 2026?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is still a capable phone for everyday tasks like calling, messaging, social media, and casual photography, and it runs iOS 27, released on September 14, 2026. It lacks 5G and sits near the end of its update runway. For budget buyers it remains a solid pick from around $219. For most people who can afford it, spending more on a refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max buys a better experience and longer software support.
Which refurbished iPhone is a better value in 2026: the 11 Pro Max or 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers better value for most buyers in 2026. Refurbished prices have dropped a lot since launch, though the 13 Pro Max still costs much more than the 11 Pro Max. The 13 Pro Max delivers 5G, a 120Hz display, far better cameras, and a longer software runway, making it the smarter long-term buy for a flagship-tier iPhone at a mid-range price.
Takeaway
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the stronger all-round device, with a faster chip, better display, superior camera system, 5G, and longer battery. Both phones are only available refurbished in 2026, and the 13 Pro Max remains the more future-proof choice thanks to its ongoing iOS support and more capable hardware.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max still works well for light use and is one of the more affordable ways to get into a premium-feeling iPhone. But for anyone willing to spend more, the 13 Pro Max delivers a substantially better experience that will hold up for several more years. Find out more about how long Apple supports iPhones to factor software longevity into your decision.
Last updated: Sep 15, 2026 ·
First published: Aug 8, 2023
Simo Elalj
CEO and Founder at RefurbMe. I made this project back when I was 15 when I had to wake up at 2am to buy my own refurbished Macbook Pro. Passionate about circular economy, great UX and goats.
