We already know the iPhone 16 and it is time to ask ourselves whether or not it is time to renew it. This is something that in my case, and I think that of many others, always depends on two fundamental factors: How does my current iPhone work and what needs does the new iPhone cover?. The budget too, of course, but it all starts with my iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Since 2021 I have been testing a multitude of Android phones and iPhones. Most of them are transferred for review or testing. However, in the end, my main phone has been, remains and will continue to be the iPhone 13 Pro Max. I decided to stay like this for another year and I have good reasons to wait on the iPhone 17.
Basic: It’s a practically new iPhone
Yes, the iPhone 13 Pro Max was released in 2021. Specifically on Friday, September 24th, along with the rest of the iPhone 13 series. The same day I released mine, but around that time, things happened that made it a new iPhone (mysterious music).
Far from continuing the mystery or giving rise to the magic that transformed my iPhone 13 Pro Max 2021 into a new iPhone, I will tell what happened. In fact, I already told it in a longer article recently, but I will summarize it: it broke down at the end of last year and Home insurance covered the full repair. The fact is that this repair was unfeasible and Apple chose to offer me a brand new iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Yes, yes, new. It was not a refurbished iPhone as is the case for warranty repairs. In this case, by paying for the repair (which the insurance actually paid for), Apple delivers a completely new device. With identical characteristics in terms of model, capacity and color, but new after all.
Apart from that, they have a two-year warranty that applies in the same way as if it were a new purchase. It is not the same as the three years offered by law when buying new, but it is a good point. So I leave with a double advantage: an iPhone with a few months of use and a year
No iPhone 16 featured anything that really excited me
It’s not that I have extra money, because if I did, you wouldn’t even be reading this. Or yes, but written from a heavenly place. However, buying one of the new iPhones might be a viable option for me. However, on top of all of the above, I find that I don’t miss anything from the iPhone 16 on my iPhone 13 Pro Max. Let me explain.
As the editor-in-chief of Applesfera and a professional in these media for almost a decade, I cannot base my opinion on the statement “that there has been no innovation”. Yes, there has been both in these iPhone 16 and in the others that have already succeeded my iPhone in previous years. However, not enough to arouse my interest in buying the novelty.
The iPhone 16 Pro improves on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, especially in some areas, although not enough for my personal use.
It’s not that I don’t feel the need to buy a new iPhone anymore. The thing is, I wouldn’t even buy it as an unjustifiable whim.. Because yes, I admit that in the past I have changed iPhones more than once on impulse. And therefore, never judge the person who does it. In the end, everyone can do what they want with their money.
From my iPhone 13 Pro Max to any of the new iPhone 16s, there are several things that keep me away and most importantly I have a reason to stick with what I have. These are the main differences and which, as you will see, I refute in favor of maintaining with my current phone:
Processor
From the A15 Bionic to the A18 and A18 Pro, according to Apple, I am missing a 50% faster CPU and a 70% faster GPU. And yet, I do not feel like I am lacking in performance in any way. It is not that I have the iPhone as decoration, since I use it intensively, but not to the point of noticing a lack of performance.
Screen
Here, the most fair comparison would be the 6.7 inches versus the 6.9 inches of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Over time I have become a fan of the big iPhones and I will not deny that the 6.9 inches tempt me, but in the end it is a very minor detail to justify a purchase. Even less when the 6.7 already suits me well. Maybe elements like the brightness add a little more, but again it seems to be a detail that does not justify my purchase. And even less the “Always On Display” functions that I would not use because I have never used on the Android phones that I have had.
Titanium
This material that already equipped the iPhone 15 Pro is back in the new ‘Pro’ generation and even if I have to objectively evaluate elements like its lower weight or its greater resistance, frankly it doesn’t seem decisive to me. In addition, I can’t find any color that matches the graphite of my iPhone 13 Pro Max. To taste, the colors. No?
General design
If I show you an iPhone 13 Pro Max and an iPhone 16 Pro Max from the back, unless you put them next to each other and look at their small changes in dimensions, you won’t notice that it changes. I like the design line of the new iPhone, but that’s because I already liked it with my iPhone 13 Pro Max. It barely changes in that sense and so it’s not even a change that I appreciate.
Dynamic Island
My current iPhone is team “notch.” Minimal, yes, but “notch” nonetheless. I admit that the dynamic island surprised me a lot at first, I ended up seeing it wasted in between, and today I still think it’s a great solution. Now, how do I take the plunge? Well, again, I’m afraid not.
Camera
Now I come to the most sensitive part. Without leaving aside that in the end it is a question of details and that any high-end of the last five years already takes spectacular photos, the truth is that the iPhone 16 Pro Max aims much higher than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The 15 Pro Max has already done it. The 5x optical zoom, the 48 megapixel main and wide-angle sensors versus 12 … I do not deny it. It is an advance that, even if not revolutionary, is noticeable. However, I can assure you that I would take advantage of these virtues 1% of the time. My gallery is full of photos of my dog and I have already told you that they are not exactly studio photos, but quick everyday captures when he sleeps or when we walk. This is what I like to photograph the most and with an iPhone 13 Pro Max it’s not that I lack it, it’s that I have plenty.
Apple Information
This same week, we were debating at Applesfera whether an iPhone 16 was worth it knowing that Apple Intelligence does not reach Europe. Because it is no longer a rumor. It is official that Apple’s AI isn’t reaching our territory, or at least not yet. Yes, it will be in Spanish in 2025, confirmed by Apple, but the question remains whether it can be officially used in the Eurozone. In any case, if it arrives, it will do so on dates too close to the iPhone 17. Therefore, from an AI perspective, my iPhone 13 Pro Max would be the same as an iPhone 16 for a year.
Each case is a world and mine is very clear to me.
This feeling of comfort with my iPhone 13 Pro Max is evident and Even the sum of these small factors does not make me consider a change.. This does not mean that suddenly Jobs doesn’t want it anymore, my iPhone gets stolen, I lose it, it breaks or something happens. In that situation, I would opt for a new one, but right away, that is not my intention at all.
I also insist once again, in case it is not clear, that this is my opinion based on my use and experience. A lot of “my”, but it is not out of egocentrism, but to make it clear that in the end each consumer is a world. I’m sure there are many users who own the same iPhone reading this (I’ve already identified some of them through the comments on Applesfera) and I’m sure some are in my boat, but many others have compelling reasons to change their iPhone.
And on this last thing, I want to end my conclusion: Upgrading from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 16 isn’t a bad idea at all. These differences that do not compensate me or not much can convince any other user. In my case, this is not the case and there are 1,469 dollars that I save and I now set my sights on the iPhone 17. And if you hurry me, on the rumored iPhone 17 Air.
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