Should you upgrade to the iPhone 13 Pro Max? Here are all the updates Apple made to their priciest phone.

Fri 24 September, 2021 — The iPhone 13 series officially launches today, and just like any new iPhone release — it’s both exciting and frightening to our wallets. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, in particular, is the one that Apple fans and many people in the creative field will go for, considering its larger screen and superior camera system.

Here’s what’s different and upgraded with the new phone.

Above: The iPhone 12 pro max (left) and iphone 13 pro max (right). Both have been fitted with spigen screen protectors.

Next to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the phones are identical in size and shape. The notch on the iPhone 13 Pro Max has gone smaller, while the surgical-grade stainless steel antenna surrounding the new model is also a darker chrome than the one on the iPhone 12 Pro Max (this is in reference to the Silver colour options for both phones).

When you place the iPhone 13 Pro Max flat down on the table, you’ll immediately notice that it sticks up a bit more at an angle (you can see it in the picture above that was taken directly top down. The phone’s screen appears angled slightly more towards the left). This is because Apple has made the physical camera lenses larger and thicker in size.

Above: The three new lenses on the iphone 13 pro max.

It may be a pet peeve for some people that the phone won’t lie flat on a surface, but that can easily be solved with a suitable case. Speaking of cases, you won’t be able to use your iPhone 12 Pro Max cases or screen protectors because of the physical design changes with the new model.

 

Above: Smooth scrolling with a 120Hz display.

The screen finally catches up to the competition with a speed of 120Hz, and this is evident the minute you turn on the phone and start scrolling. Every gesture feels smoother and more responsive.

The internals have all been upgraded as well, with the iPhone 13 Pro series fitted with Apple’s A15 Bionic chip — the brand’s fastest one to date, which means all your tasks perform quicker, and you have more power to use processor-intensive apps and games.

As for the camera system, there are some pretty cool upgrades, including a new Macro mode (this uses the Ultra Wide lens and the lens automatically detects when you go near to your subject, and will switch itself to Macro mode). We understand that Apple will be rolling out an update in the near future where you can switch off this auto function, so Macro mode doesn’t toggle every time you go near to an object.

There’s also a new Cinematic mode for capturing video. This gives you the capability of selecting and changing your focus while shooting video, and you can make further changes in post edits. This isn’t particularly new technology (Lytro introduced it in 2012), but it’s a welcome addition to the iPhone that so many of us use every day. Now you can tap to focus on the kid that’s doing the more interesting thing.

Photographer Aik Beng Chia captured some uncles using Cinematic mode. Check this out and see how the focus changes (used with permission):

 

Above: Shot by AIK BENG CHIA on the iphone 13 pro max.

And here’s an example of a Macro mode photo taken by him as well:

Above: Shot by AIK BENG CHIA on the iphone 13 pro max.

 

For a full round-up of all the new Apple launches this month, read here.

Apple announces the iPhone 13 line-up, an all-new iPad mini and Apple Watch Series 7

IPHONE 13 PRO AND IPHONE 13 PRO MAX WILL BE AVAILABLE IN GRAPHITE, GOLD, SILVER, AND SIERRA BLUE, IN 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, AND ALL-NEW 1TB STORAGE OPTIONS, WITH AVAILABILITY BEGINNING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24.
CUSTOMERS CAN GET IPHONE 13 PRO FOR $69 A MONTH FOR 24 MONTHS, OR $1,649; AND IPHONE 13 PRO MAX FOR $75 A MONTH FOR 24 MONTHS, OR $1,799, FROM APPLE.COM/SG/STORE, IN THE APPLE STORE APP, AND AT APPLE STORE LOCATIONS.