Skip to main content

Apple’s maxed-out iPhone 13 is its most expensive handset ever

Now that the dust has just about settled following Apple’s big tech event on Tuesday, you may be wondering whether to upgrade your current iPhone to one of the new iPhone 13 models.

iPhone 12 owners are most likely to hold back — unless it means going from the 12 or 12 Mini to one of the new Pro models — while those with an older iPhone may be sorely tempted if they have the spare cash.

What we do know is that those counting the pennies will be steering well clear of the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever made, the iPhone 13 Pro Max with 1TB of storage.

Selling for a hefty $1,599, the top-of-the-range phone costs $300 more than the best-priced 24-inch iMac and 13-inch MacBook Pro, which both retail for $1,299.

To put it another way, you could get three of Apple’s brand new iPad Mini tablets for that price and still have $100 left over to buy yourself a massively overpriced ice cream.

Prior to the arrival of the 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple’s most expensive phones were the iPhone XS with 512GB and the iPhone 11 Pro Max with the same amount of storage, both of which launched at $1,449 (the priciest iPhone 12 Pro Max cost $1,399 at launch).

The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes with a big price tag not only because of its features and physical size, but also because it has the most storage Apple has ever squeezed into one of its handsets — double that of previous iPhones that maxed out at 512GB and, for additional perspective, 996GB more than the lowest option offered with the first iPhone in 2007.

If you’re in the market for one of the new iPhones and need help choosing which one to go for, Digital Trends has put together a helpful buying guide highlighting the features and main differences between the new models, with prices starting at a more palatable $699 for the iPhone 13 Mini.

For more on everything else that Apple announced on Tuesday, this article has you covered.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
It’s finally happening — your iPhone is getting RCS in 2024
iMessage on an iPhone 14 Pro Max, plus iMessage on an Android phone using the Beeper app.

Today is a day I truly didn't expect would ever happen. On November 16, 2023, Apple officially confirmed that RCS texting is finally coming to the iPhone in 2024.

Yes, you read that correctly. Starting "later next year," Apple will add RCS support to the iPhone. In other words, if you have an Android phone and are texting someone with an iPhone, you'll be able to text each other over RCS instead of SMS. That means you'll get many iMessage-like features such as typing indicators, read receipts, higher-resolution photo/video sharing, etc.

Read more
How I use my Apple Watch and iPhone to manage my diabetes
iPhone 15 Pro showing One Drop app and kit.

It’s November, which means it’s Diabetes Awareness Month, with World Diabetes Day recently happening on November 14. According to data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study (AHMS) and Apple Women’s Health Study (AWHS), there are about 537 million adults worldwide who are currently living with diabetes, with that number potentially reaching 643 million by 2030. In the U.S. alone, about two out of five people will develop diabetes in their lifetime, and more than one in three adults have elevated glucose levels that put them in the pre-diabetes zone.

I was pre-diabetic since my college years (it runs in both sides of my family), but then my doctor officially diagnosed me with Type 2 diabetes around early 2018. However, I was told that my case was more “mild” than others and that taking some medication — while also cutting out carbs and sweets, plus daily exercise — can help me keep it under control.

Read more
The iPhone is getting out of control
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro showing the screens.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro (left) and iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

When Apple launched the original iPhone in 2007, it was as easy as could be — it was just the iPhone. There was only one model, and when you said you wanted an iPhone, the sales rep would know which one you meant ... because that was all there was.

Read more