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iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: is a used 13 Pro Max the smarter buy?

Everything that changed between the 13 Pro Max and the 17 Pro Max, what it costs to have it, and whether a QDN Certified 13 Pro Max with a 15-month warranty is the better deal.

The short answer

Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro Max new from $1,199. A QDN Certified 13 Pro Max starts at $594, so you keep about $605 in your pocket. For that you give up a newer chip, Apple Intelligence and the bigger screen. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 13 Pro Max is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro Max.

iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 13 Pro Max

QDN Certified, 15-month warranty

from $594$1,399

2 in stock · launched at $1,099

Shop used 13 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max

New from Apple and carriers

$1,199

Apple’s launch price. Not sold by QDN.

What actually differs

Only the rows where the two phones are not identical. A tick marks the side that wins the row.

  • The 17 Pro Max runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A15 Bionic. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • Only the 17 Pro Max supports Apple Intelligence (writing tools, notification summaries, the smarter Siri). If that matters to you, it settles the choice.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • The 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen, 6.9″ against 6.7″. Bigger is better for video and reading; smaller is easier one-handed.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • Cameras: the 13 Pro Max has 12 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro Max has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • The 17 Pro Max zooms to 4× optically; the 13 Pro Max stops at 3×. For concerts, sport and kids on a stage, the longer lens is the one you will use.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • The 17 Pro Max adds the Camera Control button for opening the camera and adjusting exposure or zoom without touching the screen.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro Max at up to 39 hours of video playback against 28 for the 13 Pro Max. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • The 17 Pro Max charges over USB-C, the same cable as a MacBook or iPad; the 13 Pro Max still uses Lightning.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • The 17 Pro Max has the Dynamic Island; the 13 Pro Max has the older notch.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • The 17 Pro Max has the customisable Action button in place of the mute switch.

    17 Pro Max wins

  • The 13 Pro Max has a stainless steel frame; the 17 Pro Max is aluminum.

    Preference

  • The 17 Pro Max supports Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance via satellite; the 13 Pro Max predates that feature.

    17 Pro Max wins

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: full spec sheet

Apple’s published specifications. Highlighted rows differ.

iPhone 13 Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro Max
Released
20212025
Display
6.7″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Notch6.9″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island
Chip
A15 BionicA19 Pro
RAM
6 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)12 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)
Rear cameras
3: 12 MP main · 12 MP ultra wide · 12 MP telephoto3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 48 MP telephoto
Optical zoom
3× telephoto4× telephoto
Battery
Up to 28 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)Up to 39 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)
Charging port
LightningUSB-C (USB 3)
Frame
Stainless steelAluminum
Weight
238 g233 g
5G
YesYes
Satellite SOS
NoYes
Apple Intelligence
NoYes
Action button
No (ring/silent switch)Yes
Camera Control
NoYes
Apple launch price
$1,099$1,199

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iPhone 13 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: common questions

What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The 17 Pro Max runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A15 Bionic. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.

Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max worth the extra over the iPhone 13 Pro Max?

Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro Max new from $1,199. A QDN Certified 13 Pro Max starts at $594, so you keep about $605 in your pocket. For that you give up a newer chip, Apple Intelligence and the bigger screen. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 13 Pro Max is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro Max.

Which has the better camera, the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Cameras: the 13 Pro Max has 12 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro Max has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.

Which has the better battery?

Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro Max at up to 39 hours of video playback against 28 for the 13 Pro Max. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.

Do both support Apple Intelligence?

Only the iPhone 17 Pro Max does. Apple Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 16 or later.

Does QDN sell the iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Not yet. We sell QDN Certified pre-owned iPhones from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max appears here so you can see exactly what a used 13 Pro Max gives up against Apple's current line-up.

Related comparisons

Used iPhone 13 Pro Max from $594

Each QDN listing is one specific phone: storage, colour and battery health shown up front. Inspected, unlocked, 15-month warranty, free US shipping.

  • 15-month warranty
  • Free US shipping
  • Case, protector & cable included
Shop 13 Pro Max Let the finder choose