Let’s be real for a second. The iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple released back in late 2021 was a bit of a monster. It was huge. It was heavy. It felt like holding a polished slab of stainless steel and surgical-grade glass that could probably survive a small apocalypse.
Even now, years later, it’s one of those rare devices that hasn't aged like milk. Usually, tech feels ancient after two cycles. Not this one.
You’ve probably seen the newer models with the "Dynamic Island" and the fancy titanium frames. They're great, sure. But there is something specific about the 13 Pro Max that keeps people from upgrading. It might be the battery life. Honestly, it might just be that the A15 Bionic chip was so overkill at launch that it still feels snappy today.
People always ask if it's worth buying a refurbished 13 Pro Max or if they should just shell out for the newest Pro. It’s a valid question. The answer depends on how much you care about having a literal hole in the top of your screen versus a notch.
The Screen and That Infamous Notch
The display on the iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple used is a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR. It was the first time Apple finally gave us ProMotion. That’s the fancy marketing term for a 120Hz refresh rate.
If you’re coming from an older iPhone 12 or a base model 13, the difference is night and day. Everything is fluid. Scrolling through Twitter—sorry, X—or Reddit feels buttery. It’s adaptive, too. If you’re looking at a static photo, it drops down to 10Hz to save your battery. When you flick your thumb, it ramps back up instantly.
The notch is there. It’s 20% smaller than the one on the iPhone 12, but it’s still a notch. Some people hate it. Most people forget it exists after three days. Interestingly, some users actually prefer the notch over the newer Dynamic Island because it sits higher up and stays out of the way when you're watching 16:9 video content.
The Battery King Label
You cannot talk about the iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple without mentioning the battery. It is legendary.
When it first came out, reviewers like MrWhoseTheBoss and MKBHD were getting ridiculous screen-on times. We’re talking 10 to 12 hours of heavy use. Even with battery degradation over a few years, a well-maintained 13 Pro Max still outlasts many brand-new mid-range Android phones.
Why is it so good?
- The physical size of the battery is roughly 4,352 mAh.
- The A15 Bionic chip is incredibly efficient.
- The LTPO display tech actually works to keep power draw low.
- iOS optimization handles background tasks better than most.
I've seen people go two full days on a single charge with moderate use. If you’re a power user who spends all day on 5G, navigating with GPS, and filming 4K video, this is the phone that won't leave you stranded at 4:00 PM looking for a Lightning cable.
Speaking of cables, yeah, it’s still Lightning. That’s probably the biggest "old tech" hurdle. If your life has moved entirely to USB-C, carrying a separate cable for your phone is a legitimate annoyance.
Cameras: Cinematic Mode and Macro Magic
The camera bump on this thing is massive. It’s huge because the sensors are huge. The main wide sensor has 1.9 µm pixels, which was a massive jump at the time. It pulls in light like a vacuum.
One of the coolest things Apple did here was Macro mode. You don't have to toggle anything. You just move the phone really close to a flower or a bug—about 2 centimeters away—and the ultra-wide lens automatically switches to act as a macro lens. The detail is stunning. You can see the individual fibers on a piece of fabric or the "pixels" on another screen.
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Then there’s Cinematic Mode. It’s basically Portrait Mode for video. It tries to rack focus between subjects based on who is looking at the camera. Is it perfect? No. Sometimes the edge detection around hair gets a little fuzzy. But it gives your home movies a "movie" look that is hard to replicate without a real DSLR.
The 13 Pro Max also supports ProRes video recording. Warning: do not use this unless you have the 256GB model or higher. A single minute of 10-bit ProRes footage can eat up several gigabytes of storage. It's meant for professional editors, not for filming your cat's dinner.
Let's Talk About the A15 Bionic
Silicon matters. The A15 Bionic inside the iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple features a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU. The 5th GPU core was what separated the "Pro" models from the standard 13 that year.
In real-world terms, this phone doesn't lag. Even in 2026, it handles high-end gaming like Genshin Impact or Resident Evil ports with surprising ease. The thermal management is decent, though the phone can get a bit warm during long gaming sessions because the stainless steel frame holds onto heat.
Apple usually supports their phones with software updates for 6 to 7 years. Since this launched in 2021, you're looking at a phone that will likely be relevant and updated until 2027 or 2028. That is insane longevity for a mobile device.
The Weight Factor (The "Ouch" Moment)
This phone is heavy. 240 grams.
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That doesn't sound like much until you drop it on your face while lying in bed. It’s a brick. The combination of the large footprint and the stainless steel rails makes it one of the most substantial phones Apple has ever made. If you have small hands, or if you like to use your phone one-handed while walking the dog, you might find it exhausting.
The ergonomics aren't great. The edges are sharp. Most people put a case on it, which only makes it bulkier. If you’re coming from a "Mini" or a standard-sized phone, the transition to the Pro Max is a physical lifestyle change.
Why You Might Still Want One
- Price-to-Performance: You can find these refurbished for a fraction of the cost of a new 15 or 16 Pro Max.
- The Screen: It’s still one of the best panels on the market.
- Physical Sim Slot: In the US, models after the 13 series went all-eSIM. If you travel a lot to places where picking up a local physical SIM card is easier, the 13 Pro Max is the last "great" iPhone to offer that tray.
- Sierra Blue: Honestly, that color was peak Apple design.
The Competition and Alternatives
When the iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple released, its main rival was the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung had the 100x Space Zoom, which the iPhone couldn't touch. Apple countered with better video consistency and more natural skin tones.
If you’re looking at this phone today, you’re likely comparing it to the iPhone 14 Plus. The 14 Plus is lighter and has the same screen size, but it lacks the 120Hz ProMotion display and the telephoto lens. Once you go 120Hz, going back to 60Hz feels like your phone is broken. It’s hard to recommend the newer 14 Plus over a used 13 Pro Max for that reason alone.
What to Look Out For When Buying Used
If you’re hunting for one of these right now, check the battery health. Anything above 85% is solid. If it’s below 80%, Apple will tell you it needs "service," and you'll notice the performance throttling slightly to prevent shutdowns.
Check the stainless steel rails for deep scratches. While they can be polished on the silver model, the colored versions (Sierra Blue, Graphite, Gold, Alpine Green) have a PVD coating that can't really be fixed if it’s gouged.
Also, verify the screen hasn't been replaced with a third-party non-OLED panel. If the colors look washed out or the "True Tone" setting is missing in the display options, walk away.
Final Actionable Insights
If you own an iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple, keep it. You aren't missing out on enough to justify a $1,100 spend on a new model unless you absolutely crave USB-C or the Action Button.
For those looking to buy:
- Prioritize Storage: Get at least 256GB if you plan on taking photos and videos. The 128GB version is fine for most, but it limits your ProRes video capabilities.
- Check the SIM: If you are a frequent international traveler, the US version of the 13 Pro Max is your "Goldilocks" device because it has the physical SIM slot and great 5G band support.
- Screen Protection: The Ceramic Shield is tough against drops but surprisingly prone to micro-scratches from sand or keys. Get a screen protector immediately.
- Case Choice: Look for a case with a good grip. The phone is slippery and heavy; a "grippy" case prevents the dreaded "pinky fatigue" from holding the bottom of the phone.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the last of an era in many ways. It was the peak of the notch design and the final version before Apple started experimenting with "Islands" and titanium. It’s a workhorse. It’s boring in its reliability, which is exactly what a pro-grade tool should be.