- ProMotion 120Hz display (adaptive 10-120Hz) delivers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations
- Brighter screen at 1000 nits typical versus 800 nits on the 12 Pro Max
- Upgraded cameras with Cinematic mode, macro photography (as close as 2 cm), ProRes video, and Photographic Styles
- Larger 4,352 mAh battery offers up to 28 hours of video playback, 8 hours more than the 12 Pro Max
- Faster A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU for better sustained performance and efficiency
- 1 TB storage option for users with large photo and video libraries
- Starting at around $399 refurbished, around $114 more than the 12 Pro Max
All the key differences
Design
The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max share a nearly identical silhouette: flat stainless steel edges, a Ceramic Shield front, and a glass back. Side by side, they are almost indistinguishable.
The clearest visual change is the notch. The 13 Pro Max has a noticeably smaller notch, giving slightly more screen space for content. Beyond that, the 13 Pro Max is 0.25 mm thicker and 12 grams heavier. Both feel equally premium in hand.
Color options differ slightly. The 12 Pro Max came in Graphite, Silver, Gold, and Pacific Blue. The 13 Pro Max added Sierra Blue and Alpine Green to the lineup while retiring Pacific Blue.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Display
Both phones use a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with the same 1284 x 2778 pixel resolution, excellent color accuracy, and support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
The biggest difference is refresh rate. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has ProMotion technology, which adjusts the refresh rate dynamically between 10Hz and 120Hz. The result is scrolling that feels tangibly smoother, animations that look more fluid, and an overall display experience that feels more responsive. The 12 Pro Max is locked to 60Hz.
The 13 Pro Max also has a brighter typical brightness at 1000 nits versus 800 nits on the 12 Pro Max, which translates to better outdoor legibility on sunny days.
Both phones are capable performers, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max uses the A15 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, compared to the A14 Bionic (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU) in the 12 Pro Max. In practice, the A15 handles multitasking, gaming, and video editing faster, and it runs cooler under sustained load. Independent benchmarks place the A15 roughly 20-25% ahead of the A14 in GPU tasks.
The A15 also powers machine learning features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode through its more advanced 16-core Neural Engine, versus the A14's 16-core Neural Engine running at lower throughput. Both models carry 6 GB of RAM.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
For typical daily use, both phones feel responsive. Where the gap becomes visible is in video editing, 3D gaming, and ProRes recording: tasks that lean on the extra headroom of the A15.
Both models support 5G, so connectivity speed is equal on both. On software longevity, both run iOS 27, Apple's latest release since September 14, 2026, so the two phones are on identical software footing. Neither qualifies for Apple Intelligence, which requires an A17 Pro chip or newer, so that feature set is not a deciding factor between them. Buyers should expect continued security updates for both, with major OS support extending a similar length of time given the one-year gap between the chips.
Cameras
The triple 12MP rear camera system is present on both phones, covering Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses. For standard photos in good light, results from both are excellent and hard to tell apart.
The 13 Pro Max pulls ahead in several areas:
- Larger sensor on the main wide lens for better low-light capture
- Cinematic mode for recording video with depth-of-field effects, similar to a shallow-focus film look
- Macro photography via the Ultra Wide lens, enabling close-up shots as near as 2 cm
- ProRes video recording for professional editing workflows
- Photographic Styles for applying personal color and tone preferences directly in the camera
iPhone 13 Cinematic mode
Both phones support Night mode, Deep Fusion, OIS, and Dolby Vision HDR video. For casual photography, the 12 Pro Max remains strong. For video creators and photography enthusiasts, the 13 Pro Max's additions are meaningful.
Battery life and charging
The 13 Pro Max carries a 4,352 mAh battery, compared to 3,687 mAh in the 12 Pro Max. Apple rates the 13 Pro Max at up to 28 hours of video playback, versus 20 hours for the 12 Pro Max. In real-world use, the 13 Pro Max consistently lasted longer through full days of heavy use. Before buying one used, our iPhone 13 Pro Max refurbished guide explains how seller grades and warranties compare.
Both models support MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. The 13 Pro Max also supports slightly faster wired charging speeds.
For more on MagSafe accessories that work with both models, see the best MagSafe accessories for your iPhone.
Which is the better refurbished buy?
In 2026, both models are available as certified refurbished units at significant discounts from their original retail prices. The 12 Pro Max starts at around $285, while the 13 Pro Max starts at around $399. The right choice depends on your priorities:
Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if: you want the lowest price on a large-screen Pro iPhone, you mostly use your phone for calls, browsing, and photography in daylight, and the 60Hz display does not bother you.
Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max if: you watch a lot of video, play games, or notice display smoothness. The ProMotion screen and larger battery alone are worth the roughly $114 premium for many buyers. Add Cinematic mode and macro photography if you record video regularly.
Both are excellent value on the refurbished iPhone market. At RefurbMe, you can compare live prices from Back Market, Amazon Renewed, Gazelle, Apple, and other certified sellers across all storage configurations. Our platform only lists products with a warranty from trusted merchants.
If you are still deciding which iPhone generation to target, see our guide to the best refurbished iPhones in 2026 for a ranked overview across all models. For a broader look at where to buy, see the best places to buy refurbished iPhones.
If the 12 Pro Max is the one you are leaning toward, our guide to the refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max covers what to check before you order.
Compare both models side by side below:
