iPhone 13 Pro Max • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

The iPhone 13 Pro Max, released in September 2021, and the iPhone SE (2022), launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the same iOS platform, they cater to different user preferences through significant differences in their physical size, display technology, and camera capabilities. Both models leverage Apple's ecosystem, offering a consistent software experience.

The expected practical lifespan and software support differ between these two models primarily due to their release timelines and build characteristics.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 13 Pro Max was introduced in September 2021 and was discontinued in September 2022, making it an older flagship model. The iPhone SE (2022) was released in March 2022, positioning it as a more recent entry-level device.
• Software Longevity: Both devices launched with iOS 15. The iPhone SE (2022) is likely to receive software updates for a longer period than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, typically extending support by about a year due to its later release. The iPhone SE (2022) was eligible for iOS 16 in September 2022, with iOS 26 being the latest compatible version as of September 2025.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a Ceramic Shield front cover, a textured matte glass back, and a stainless steel frame, offering robust protection and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE (2022) utilizes a glass front and back with an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and carries an IP67 rating, protecting against submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone SE (2022) are equipped with the same powerful internal processing unit, yet their overall performance experience can vary based on other hardware factors.

• Processing Power: Both devices feature a current-generation processor, enabling smooth operation for demanding applications, efficient multitasking, and responsive user interactions. This shared component ensures a high level of performance across both models for everyday tasks and more intensive usage.
• Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone 13 Pro Max includes 6GB of RAM, providing more capacity for running numerous applications simultaneously without slowdowns. It offers storage options up to 1TB, catering to users with extensive digital content. The iPhone SE (2022) comes with 4GB of RAM and storage options up to 256GB, which is suitable for typical daily use and a substantial amount of media.
• Battery Endurance: The iPhone 13 Pro Max is known for its exceptional battery life, often providing up to two days of use for many users, even with demanding tasks. The iPhone SE (2022), while featuring an efficient processor, offers battery life that typically lasts a full day with moderate use, requiring more frequent charging for heavy users.

The visual experience on these two iPhones presents a clear distinction, primarily driven by their display technologies and physical dimensions.

• Display Technology: The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. In contrast, the iPhone SE (2022) uses a Retina HD IPS LCD display, offering good color accuracy and brightness but with less contrast and vibrancy compared to OLED.
• Size and Clarity: The iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a large 6.7-inch display with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone SE (2022) has a more compact 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, providing a pixel density of 326 ppi. The larger display of the 13 Pro Max offers a more expansive viewing area.
• Smoothness and Brightness: The 13 Pro Max incorporates ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate from 10Hz to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. It also achieves a typical brightness of 1000 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits. The iPhone SE (2022) has a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 625 nits.

The camera systems on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone SE (2022) cater to different photography needs, with the Pro Max offering a more comprehensive and advanced setup.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a versatile triple 12MP camera system, including Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses, complemented by a LiDAR scanner for enhanced depth sensing and low-light performance. It offers 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, and up to 15x digital zoom. The iPhone SE (2022) has a single 12MP wide-angle rear camera with optical image stabilization and up to 5x digital zoom.
• Photography Features: The 13 Pro Max supports advanced features like Cinematic mode for video, ProRes video recording, Night mode portraits, and Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for superior image and video capture in various conditions. The iPhone SE (2022) benefits from the powerful processor for computational photography, offering features like Smart HDR 4 and Photographic Styles, but lacks dedicated Night mode and the versatility of multiple lenses.
• Front Camera and Audio: The iPhone 13 Pro Max includes a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with features like Night mode and Cinematic mode. The iPhone SE (2022) has a 7MP front camera. Both devices are equipped with stereo speakers, providing a good audio experience for media consumption and calls.