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iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB — A15 · iOS · 256GB
Apple

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB

A15 · iOS · 256GB

87
/ 100
From $1,199
VS
iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB wins by 2
iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB — A14 · iOS · 256GB
Apple

iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB

A14 · iOS · 256GB

85
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB lands at 87 and iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB at 85. That puts iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware

Pick iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Photography

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB

Stills and video quality across lenses

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB leads on camera (86 vs 84).

Battery life

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB

Screen-on time and charging

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB leads on battery (81 vs 79).

Performance

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB

Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB leads on cpu (87 vs 85).

Display

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB

Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB leads on display (84 vs 82).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB 87
vs
85 iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB

Score breakdown

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB
87
cpu 87
gpu 85
camera 86
battery 81
display 84
design 87
iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB
85
cpu 85
gpu 83
camera 84
battery 79
display 82
design 85

Specs side-by-side

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB versus iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB — full spec comparison
Spec iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB
Chipset
A15
A14
Storage
256GB
256GB
OS
iOS 15
iOS 14
Release year
2021
2020

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

FAQ: iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB vs iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB

Which is better, iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB or iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB? +

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB worth the price? +

At $1,199, iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in cpu.

Is iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB worth the price? +

At $1,199, iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in cpu.

Does iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB or iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for photography, iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB or iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB? +

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB — leads on camera (86 vs 84). Stills and video quality across lenses.

Which is better for battery life, iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB or iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB? +

iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB — leads on battery (81 vs 79). Screen-on time and charging.