There’s a new iPhone coming to market, and as usual, it’s available in a few different flavors. The iPhone 13 is a beast of machine, but it’s not the cream of the crop: The iPhone 13 Pro is the model of choice for high-end users. But to look at the specifications, it’s hard to decide on one over the other. What’s the difference between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro? Is it worth the money to upgrade to the Pro or Pro Max?
iPhone 13 vs 13 Pro vs 13 Pro Max | How do they compare?
Compared to the base model iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Pro offers a better camera array, a nicer screen, and an additional GPU core. The Pro Max, naturally, increases the display size from 6.1 inches to 6.7 inches. Otherwise, each iPhone 13 model shares the same basic specifications.
The biggest difference between the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro is the camera array. The base model includes a dual 12MP rear camera array, with both wide and ultra wide sensors. However, the Pro model offers the Pro camera array, which notably adds in a telephoto lens. The Pro 13’s camera array also allows for more optical zoom – 6x compared to the base model’s 2x – and three times as much digital zoom.
Then there are the screens. Both non-Max models feature a Super Retina XDR display running at a 2532×1170 resolution. The Pro Max display runs at 2778×1284. However, both the 13 Pro and Pro Max have screens capable of adaptive refresh rates from 10hz up to 120hz. That means the Pro models will feel more fluid and snappy during everyday use.
Finally, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max have an additional GPU core. Apple hasn’t given too much detail here, as all of the new models use the A15 Bionic chip. However, the Pro models have a five-core GPU as opposed to the four-core GPU in the base version. It may be that this extra core is required for the ProMotion display tech or Apple ProRAW support, which isn’t found on the basic iPhone 13.
And, of course, regardless of which model you choose, the iPhone 13 is available in a wide range of colors.
Which one should you buy?
As for which one to buy, that’s easy. As its name implies, the iPhone 13 Pro is intended for more professional-oriented users. It has a bigger screen, a better camera array, and another GPU core when compared vs. the base model. For $100 bucks more, that’s really not a bad deal. Still, there’s not much that the Pro models do that the basic model will not. Unless you’re laser-focused on having the best camera possible, the standard iPhone 13 is still the one to buy. Here’s how you can place a preorder today.
