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

By Trevor Mogg Published September 15, 2021

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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Topics

Phones

I’ve used Apple gear for years, and right now is the best time to buy from the used shelf

With iPhone prices about to climb, buying from the used market makes more sense now than ever.

The iPhone 14 Pro held in a mans hand showing the screen.

Apple is preparing to raise iPhone prices in the coming months. CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal this week that climbing memory costs, driven by AI's demand for the same chips, have made the move necessary. For years, Apple managed to keep sticker prices steady, likely by absorbing some of the rising component costs on its own, but that cushion now appears to be gone. Having bought and used Apple products for years myself, I think this is the right moment to stop holding out for the newest release and start browsing the used shelf instead.

The savings add up fast

Phones

Apple has a stacked product lineup slated for later this year

Electronics, Phone, Mobile Phone

Apple has spent much of the past year playing catch-up in the AI conversation, but if a new report is accurate, the company is preparing to remind everyone that it still knows how to ship hardware. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has an unusually ambitious product roadmap stretching across late 2026 and 2027. While annual iPhone refreshes are nothing new, the list of devices in development reads like a company trying to reinvent multiple product categories at once. And honestly? It’s about time.

For years, Apple’s launches have largely followed a predictable formula: faster chips, slightly better cameras, and incremental refinements to products that already dominate their respective categories. That’s not necessarily a criticism — those products continue to sell incredibly well — but it hasn’t exactly been an exciting era for people hoping to see Apple take bigger swings.

Phones

iOS 27’s Liquid Glass slider looks simple, but it’s more useful than I expected

Text, Document, Business Card

Let's be honest: few iOS design changes have sparked as much debate as Liquid Glass. When Apple first introduced it with iOS 26, the internet immediately split into two camps. Some people loved the fresh, translucent look, while others couldn't stand it and felt it made parts of the interface harder to read. I happened to be firmly in the first camp. At the time, I was using an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and installing the update was one of the first things I did. I loved how the new design made iOS feel more modern and dynamic. The transparency effects gave the interface a sense of depth, making the entire experience feel fresh again.

That said, it's easy to understand why not everyone felt the same way. After months of feedback, screenshots, hot takes, and endless debates online, Apple eventually responded by giving users more control. Instead of forcing everyone into the same look, it introduced options that let people choose between a clearer glass effect and a more tinted appearance. With iOS 27, Apple is putting the Liquid Glass debate completely in your hands. A new slider lets you customize the effect exactly the way you want it, whether you prefer a crystal-clear look or something easier on the eyes. Here's what it does and how to make the most of it on your iPhone.