Apple is known for releasing new models of its flagship smartphone every year, and 2023 is no exception. The iPhone 15 series is the latest addition to the Apple family, and it comes with some impressive features and improvements over the previous generation. But how does the iPhone 15 base model compare to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which was the top-of-the-line device in 2021? Is it worth upgrading to the newer model, or should you stick with the older one? In this article, we will help you answer these questions by reviewing the main differences and similarities between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model, and giving you our recommendation on which one is better for you.
Contents
- 1 Display: Same Size, Slightly Higher Resolution and Brightness
- 2 Performance: Faster Processor, Same RAM
- 3 Camera: Same Rear Camera System, Better Front Camera
- 4 Battery: Similar Capacity, Slightly Longer Life
- 5 Design: Similar Design, Lighter Weight, Different Frame Material
- 6 Storage: Same Options, Lower-End Option for iPhone 13 Pro Max
- 7 Software: Same OS, More Updates for iPhone 15 Base Model
- 8 Price: Higher Price for iPhone 15 Base Model
- 9 Conclusion: Which One Is Better for You?
Display: Same Size, Slightly Higher Resolution and Brightness
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model have a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision HDR support, and Ceramic Shield protection. However, the iPhone 15 base model has a slightly higher resolution (1290 x 2796 pixels) and a higher peak brightness (2000 nits) than the iPhone 13 Pro Max (1284 x 2778 pixels and 1000 nits). This means that the iPhone 15 base model has a sharper and brighter screen, which can enhance your viewing experience, especially in outdoor conditions. Both displays also have an adaptive refresh rate feature, which automatically adjusts the screen refresh rate according to the content you are viewing, to optimize battery life and performance.
Performance: Faster Processor, Same RAM
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model are powered by Apple’s own processors, but the iPhone 15 base model has a newer and more powerful A17 Bionic chip, which is made with a 3 nm process and has a faster CPU and GPU than the A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is made with a 5 nm process. The iPhone 15 base model also scored higher in various benchmarks, such as AnTuTu and GeekBench, than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. However, both phones have the same amount of RAM (6 GB), which means that they have similar multitasking capabilities. The iPhone 15 base model also uses a faster type of memory: LPDDR5 3200 MHz, compared to LPDDR4X 2133 MHz in the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Camera: Same Rear Camera System, Better Front Camera
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model have a quad-camera system on the back, consisting of a 12 MP wide-angle lens, a 12 MP telephoto lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a LiDAR scanner for depth sensing. They also have similar features, such as optical image stabilization (OIS), night mode, portrait mode, panorama mode, HDR10+ recording, and Dolby Vision HDR recording. However, the iPhone 15 base model has a better front camera than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 base model has a 16 MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 12 MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture. The iPhone 15 base model also supports Face ID biometric authentication with its front camera.
Battery: Similar Capacity, Slightly Longer Life
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model have similar battery capacities (4352 mAh for the iPhone
15 base model and 4350 mAh for the iPhone 13 Pro Max), but the iPhone 15 base model has a slightly longer battery life due to its more efficient processor. Both phones support fast charging (up to 27 W) and wireless charging (up to 15 W)[4-5]. According to Apple’s official website[4-5], both phones can last up to:
- 25 hours of video playback
- 22 hours of video playback (streamed)
- 95 hours of audio playback
However, some tests have shown that the iPhone 15 base model can last up to 28 hours of video playback[6-7], while the iPhone 13 Pro Max can last up to 24 hours[8-9].
Design: Similar Design, Lighter Weight, Different Frame Material
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model have similar designs and dimensions, but the iPhone 15 base model is lighter (221 g) than the iPhone 13 Pro Max (240 g), and also has a different frame material[4-5]. The iPhone 15 base model has an aluminum frame, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a stainless steel frame[4-5]. Both phones are water-resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes[4-5], and come in four color options: Natural Titanium, Graphite Black, Pacific Blue, and Gold for the iPhone 15 base model; Graphite Black, Silver White, Gold, and Sierra Blue for the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Storage: Same Options, Lower-End Option for iPhone 13 Pro Max
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model have similar storage options (256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB), but the iPhone 13 Pro Max also has a lower-end option of 128 GB[4-5]. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose the storage capacity that suits you best. Both phones also have dual-SIM support (one nano-SIM and one eSIM), but the iPhone 15 base model has a newer Bluetooth version (v5.3) than the iPhone 13 Pro Max (v5.2)[4-5].
Software: Same OS, More Updates for iPhone 15 Base Model
Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 base model run on iOS 16, which is the latest version of Apple’s operating system[4-5]. iOS 16 offers some new features and improvements, such as:
- Focus mode, which allows you to customize your notifications and home screen according to different scenarios, such as work, personal, or sleep.
- Live Text, which lets you copy, translate, or search for text from any image or camera view.
- Visual Look Up, which lets you identify objects, animals, plants, landmarks, or art from any image or camera view.
- Safari extensions, which let you add extra functionality to your web browser, such as blocking ads, saving passwords, or enhancing security.
- SharePlay, which lets you watch videos, listen to music, or play games with your friends over FaceTime.
However, the iPhone 15 base model may receive more software updates in the future than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, as it is newer and has a longer support cycle.
Price: Higher Price for iPhone 15 Base Model
The iPhone 15 base model is more expensive than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The starting price for the iPhone 15 base model is $999 for the 256 GB option, while the starting price for the iPhone 13 Pro Max is $899 for the same option[4-5]. The price difference increases as you choose higher storage options. The table below shows the prices for both phones in different storage capacities:
| Storage | iPhone 15 Base Model | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | $999 | $899 |
| 512 GB | $1,199 | $1,099 |
| 1 TB | $1,399 | $1,299 |
Conclusion: Which One Is Better for You?
The answer to this question depends on your preferences and needs. If you want a newer and faster phone with a better front camera, reverse wireless charging, and a longer battery life, then you may want to go for the iPhone 15 base model. However, if you want a cheaper phone with a lower-end storage option and a stainless steel frame, then you may want to stick with the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Both phones are excellent devices that offer great performance, display quality, camera features, and software experience. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which one is better for you.
We hope this article has helped you compare these two amazing devices. If you want to learn more about them, you can check out some of the news articles and reviews that we found for you[1-9]. Thank you for reading!
