Samsung phones have usually had the edge over Apple’s iPhone when it comes to its zoom capabilities. Last year’s Samsung Galaxy S23 had three times the digital zoom as the iPhone 14 — even if the iPhone 15 Pro Max made the fight between the Android and iOS flagships fiercer than ever. However, a recent viral video suggests the gap between the two phone lines isn’t as big as the general public tends to believe. 

Over the weekend, one clip of pop superstar Rihanna performing “All of the Lights” in India went viral on X thanks to a very impressive zoom shot, garnering over 70 million views. “Your phone zoom >>> anything iPhone has to offer” one comment said. “iPhone can’t do this” said another. A repost of the video with the caption “This is unintentionally the greatest ad for Android” is filled with commenters suggesting it could never be “Shot on iPhone” 

As X users continued to share the video around, people started to slowly believe a Samsung phone was responsible, purely from word of mouth. @bob_imp1, an account with over 30,000 followers said it was captured on Samsung S23 Ultra, and @siteptbr, an account with over 600,000, claimed it was shot on S24 Ultra. This is where @SamsungBrasil was tagged in. Samsung responded with “I just came to show the power of my Galaxy S24 Ultra.”

The photographer’s response

The original photographer @joh_masse called Samsung out, claiming  they had  "recorded this video with iPhone 13 Pro Max.” Some were skeptical that an iPhone 13 Pro Max could do this so Joh gave proof in the form of showing off the original video’s metadata. This proves it was indeed shot on iPhone 13 Pro Max, whilst also giving the location, date, and more. While it is not currently the best iPhone, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is still a very impressive device. 

Though this information is embarrassing for all the users who assumed the exact phone model without any reasoning, there is some light trickery going on here. The video in question goes from fully zoomed-in on Rihanna performing, to a wide-angle shot where the user is sat. As this captures more of their surroundings, it makes them seem further away from the stage than they actually are. However, despite this, it’s still an excellent video that shows how far smartphone cameras have come over the last decade. 

More from iMore

• How to take food photography to the next level with your iPhone
• iPhone Photography Basics: Follow these seven tips to improve your pictures instantly 
• iPhone Photography Basics: Shooting in black and white

Getting any kind of deal on an iPhone on Amazon is a rare thing. Getting a good deal is even rarer, which makes this hefty saving on the iPhone 13 Pro Max all the more enticing. 

Whilst it might not be Apple's best iPhone, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is still a highly capable and sort after device, especially in the more exclusive green color on offer here. 

Boasting a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion, a 12MP camera on the front, and three more on the back, as well as up to 28 hours of video playback battery life thanks to its massive battery, this phone is a sure-fire upgrade for most. That A15 Bionic Chip is no slouch either and will run iOS 17 and future software updates for many years to come. 

This deal does require you to sign up for a Cricket Wireless plan, but $55 for 4G LTE, unlimited data, and more is a great option. 

iPhone 13 Pro Max slashed

The 128GB model of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is usually $1,099 on Amazon, making this the lowest price we've seen on it in some time. As noted, the phone's awesome purchasing price is tied to a Cricket Wireless unlimited plan, giving you unlimited talk, text, and data on 4G LTE in the US, Mexico, and Canada. 

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is still a tremendous iPhone, especially when it comes to shooting images and video. It has a 12MP Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide lenses with up to 6x optical zoom. There's also the Cinematic mode allowing you to add depth of field effects and automatically shifting focus to your videos. 

Considering Amazon stopped selling the iPhone for Prime Day last year, this is one of the best iPhone Prime Day deals we've seen so far, but it might not be around for long. 

The iPhone 13 has been out for over a year now and we're seeing fantastic deals across the iPhone 13 lineup regularly. As part of Amazon's UK Spring Sale, there are huge savings to be found on some of the best iPhones on the market.

If you're looking for a new smartphone and want to save some cash then the iPhone 13 is a great option that gives you one of the newest iPhones without breaking the bank.

The iPhone 13 is still one of the most powerful smartphones on the market to this day. However, if you're looking for the latest and greatest then the iPhone 14 Pro or waiting for a potential iPhone 15 later this year could be the way to go. 

Huge savings on iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max

Save big on the iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini for less

If you're looking for a new iPhone, saving almost 25% on an older model could be the best value for money you'll find without waiting until the iPhone 15 comes out later this year. 

The iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, and 13 mini are some of the best iPhones that Apple has ever released and are sure to stay fast and updated for years to come. Grab yourself a deal now!

Apple didn't say that the Phone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro have any major MagSafe upgrades, but it turns out at least one model can charge faster for longer than its predecessor.

While MagSafe has been around since the release of the iPhone 12 series of devices, it hasn't really changed since. It's still limited to the same 20W maximum charging power, but according to some testing it appears that, in the case of the iPhone 14 Pro Max at least, it can charge faster than last year's model.

That testing was carried out by ChargerLAB and involved charging an iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max using a standard Apple MagSafe charger. ChargerLAB then measured the amount of power that the iPhones were able to draw from the charger, noting that the newer model was able to maintain higher charging speeds for longer.

That was a point further proven by the amount of time it took an iPhone 14 Pro Max to charge to 100% — two hours and 18 minutes. The iPhone 13 Pro Max took two hours and 26 minutes which, while not a huge difference, does point to the newer iPhone being able to charge at a faster rate, at least for a longer period of time.

As for why Apple's best iPhones are charging more speedily than last year's, it's likely all down to the newer models' improved thermal situation. MagSafe generates heat when charging, just like any other wireless charger. The only way to reduce that heat is to charge more slowly, but if the iPhone can keep itself cooler during the charging process it can accept power more quickly — hence the slightly shorter charging times.

Whether those improved charging times will make a huge difference to most people is a matter for debate. But if you're waiting to duck out of the door with a full battery, it can make all the difference in the world.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max may not be the newest iPhone on the block anymore, but it does look like the classiest iPhone in this fine leather case by Bluebonnet. Here you have silky smooth touchability combined with copper metallic buttons and a microfiber lining that keeps the iPhone snug and safe. When you add strong MagSafe magnets to boot, it's basically the perfect leather case.

I've used Bluebonnet cases before and I'm always impressed by their craftsmanship. Since Bluebonnet's wallet cases are not MagSafe-compatible, however, I have been unable to use them with my MagSafe mounts and chargers. But this updated MagSafe Leather Case changed everything. The new Bluebonnet has become my everyday case now that it works with all my MagSafe accessories. There's only one detail about this case that I would consider changing, so let's proceed with the full review. 

Bluebonnet Leather MagSafe Case: Price and availability

Bluebonnet is a small studio in Texas that keeps things simple. Therefore the only place to purchase its products is from the official Bluebonnet website. It goes for $65, which is not affordable for everyone but understandable considering the genuine leather materials and fine craftsmanship. Although some Bluebonnet cases come in black leather, this one is only available in saddle brown. 

Bluebonnet Leather MagSafe Case: Luxurious in leather

There's something about genuine leather. The smell, the feel, the way it changes over time. The beautiful material is my favorite thing about the Bluebonnet Leather MagSafe Case. As soon as you open the box, you get that real-leather aroma. It has a super smooth, almost silky texture, despite being full-grain leather. The case starts out as a light saddle brown but changes slowly over time to take on a unique patina. I'm sure mine will eventually show the MagSafe ring, but I don't mind that. 

Alongside the material, the design and craftsmanship of all Bluebonnet products is top-notch. The buttons are stainless steel with a copper stain, and they are perfectly clickable. This is the slimmest leather case I've owned, quite sleek and streamlined, despite the fact that it's wrapped in full-grain leather. The inner layer is a soft, fuzzy microfiber that keeps the iPhone 13 Pro snugly in place. The final touch is a subtle "b" imprint on the back panel that brings to mind cattle brands. Fitting for a Texas-based product.

As for functionality, the case works exactly as it should. It is easy to install and remove, and the buttons and cutouts are all on point. Most notably, the MagSafe magnets are quite strong, much stronger than most first-gen MagSafe cases I have used. So far, no speed bump or pothole has been able to dislodge my Bluebonnet-encased iPhone from its MagSafe mount. MagSafe charging also works great in this case, as does any other wireless or wired charger.

For protection, the camera and corners are all surrounded by a pliable layer of leather that keeps them safe from falls, impacts, and scratches. My iPhone has been dropped several times in this case and there are no scars to show for it. The leather also has a self-healing quality to it; so even though it takes on marks, the marks fade away easily with a little cleaning or rubbing. As for screen protection, that's the only small doubt I have, but I'll go into that next. 

Bluebonnet Leather MagSafe Case: How slim is too slim?

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate a nice slim case as well as the next gal, but I'm a serial iPhone destroyer. A trail of cracked screens lies in my wake. For this reason, I have become accustomed to bulky, oversized protective cases. I'm always a bit suspicious of slim cases, and the thin protective lip around the screen on the Bluebonnet case makes me nervous. I have dropped the iPhone on its screen in this case and so far so good, but it's just a bit thinner than I'm used to, at least around the screen. 

Everything else about the case is lovely, and so far the screen protection seems to be working, so I'm willing to let this detail go for now. But I'll be watching that slim screen bezel. Hopefully, my nervousness will ebb with time. 

Bluebonnet Leather MagSafe Case: Competition

Genuine leather paired with MagSafe compatibility is not always easy to find, but there are a few excellent contenders on the market. Woolnut is one such brand that offers a full-grain leather MagSafe case in both black and brown colorways. This one has a more conspicuous pebbled texture and a full leather wrap, without detached buttons. 

If you prefer pebbled leather over a smooth texture, this case might be more to your liking. It is also a few dollars cheaper for budget-conscious shoppers and comes in two colorways. This is a solid alternative to the Bluebonnet case for these reasons. I like the smart metallic buttons and silky feel of the Bluebonnet personally, but this choice will depend on your own preferences. 

Bluebonnet Leather MagSafe Case: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if... 

• You love good quality leather.
• You have MagSafe accessories.
• You appreciate beautiful design.

You shouldn't buy this if... 

• You're extremely rough on your iPhones.
• You have a small budget.

Verdict

Leather lovers know that a genuine leather iPhone case with MagSafe is not so easy to find. This one is suitable for just about any iPhone color, since the subtle brown shade fits in anywhere. It's great for anyone that enjoys sophisticated design and fine craftsmanship. Although the protection of this leather case is pretty substantial, the thin bezel around the screen makes me a tad bit nervous. The Bluebonnet may not hold up to serious mistreatment, but so far it has kept my iPhone safe and sound. 

If you enjoy the look of aged leather, just give this case some time. I've only had my Bluebonnet for a couple of months, but I can already see a hint of patina as I use it on a daily basis. The leather will change according to usage, so each one ages uniquely. It makes for a very sophisticated, luxurious look over time, like an expensive leather briefcase. In fact, the case is certainly not cheap, but I think it lives up to its price in quality and craftsmanship. 

Google is offering iPhone owners up to a massive $750 off their new Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro Android phone when they trade their old handset in. That's a huge sum and is more than what Apple will pay if you upgrade to a brand-new iPhone 14.

The news comes after Google announced its two new phones during an event yesterday, alongside a new Pixel Watch and a tablet that won't ship until some time in 2023.

Big money

The best trade-in price comes if you want to hand over your iPhone 13 Pro Max, with Google giving you $750 assuming it works as it should and isn't broken. That's $30 more than Apple will give you when trying to get your hands on a brand-new iPhone 14, which is pretty impressive.

It isn't just the iPhone 13 Pro Max that's worth a lot to Google, either. The iPhone SE (2020) will net you up to $300, depending on the storage capacity you're wielding at the time.

To make things even more impressive, Google is offering people the chance to get their hands on a free Pixel Watch or Pixel Buds Pro, at least in the U.K. That could make the trade-in deal even more compelling, especially for anyone making the switch from an iPhone and Apple Watch to the Android world.

Without the discounts, the new Pixel 7 starts at $599 while those buying the bigger, more impressive Pixel 7 Pro will pay upwards of $899 to get their new flagship device. That's a lot of money, but it's still competitive compared with Apple's pricing — and things get even better if you're trading in that old iPhone, too.

Even though the iPhone 14 Pro series is out, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is still an incredible iPhone, with a three-camera system, Cinematic Mode, fast A15 chip, and a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion. It's one of Apple's most durable iPhones yet, but it never hurts to add an extra layer of protection. Here are some of the best heavy-duty, rugged cases for the iPhone 13 Pro Max you can buy.

Survive a tumble with a rugged iPhone 13 Pro Max case

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Which of the best rugged cases for iPhone 13 Pro Max should you pick?

When choosing the right case for you, think about which features will matter to you. Is the amount of protection first and foremost? If so, the OtterBox Defender for iPhone or a case with up to 20-foot drop protection like the UAG Monarch Series iPhone Case is the way to go.

Do you want MagSafe compatibility, so you can use your MagSafe charger and other great MagSafe accessories? If so, check out a Speck case, like the Speck Presidio Grip.

While you're at it, don't forget the screen: pick up one of the best iPhone 13 Pro Max screen protectors as well. While all of the cases have a lip around the edge of the screen, you really want screen protection for the ultimate defense against cracks and scratches.

With the iPhone 13 Pro Max, once Apple's largest handset and still more than up to the task of being your phone of choice, you get 28 hours of video between battery charges. If that's still not enough for you, or if your battery health isn't what it used to be, you may want to invest in a battery case. While these tend to add even more heft to what is already a large phone, it can be worth it to keep you happily tapping without fear of it dying on you. 

Here are some of the best iPhone 13 Pro Max battery cases, with every use case and budget taken into consideration. 

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Q & A

While the larger handsets like the iPhone 13 Pro Max have bigger and better batteries than their smaller counterparts, this model is getting older and your battery health may have declined a bit. It's worthwhile to invest in a portable battery case if you find yourself away from your charger for hours or even days at a time. The AFTRYOUGO Battery Case for iPhone 13 Pro Max comes highly recommended for its reliability and powerful 7000mAh battery.

However, I'm personally not into battery cases. I find them a bit unwieldy, making the iPhone heavier and more awkward to hold. Since you really only need them when your phone's battery is getting low, they may not be ideal to use all of the time. In my own personal life, I use a regular MagSafe case and pop on a MagSafe battery pack when I need some extra juice. I've tested out a number of them, and the U by UAG Power Battery is the one I'm most likely to grab on my way out the door for a long day of exploring. It comes in several colors and has a handy kickstand/phone grip on the back for video viewing, FaceTime, and selfies. 

MagSafe is one of those features that feels like it's been on the best iPhones for years, when in fact it only debuted in 2020 with the iPhone 12 series.

Created as a different method to wirelessly charge your iPhone, MagSafe has quickly integrated into countless accessories, such as iPhone car holders, power banks, bedside table chargers, and more.

When MagSafe first launched in 2020, many were worried that it wouldn't work with cases. Fortunately, Apple anticipated this! Thanks to the strong magnets on the back of iPhones with MagSafe, most cases work great with the wireless charging method.

So much so, that we've listed nine of the best cases below for your iPhone 13 Pro Max that are fully compatible with MagSafe.

Protect and charge your iPhone 13 Pro Max all at once

The iPhone 13 Pro Max has been around for a long time now, with the iPhone 16 gearing up for launch in the coming weeks. But Apple's shiny big boy remains a great phone, and is you own this former flagship you're probably going to want a great case to protect your investment. 

That's where we come in. We test a lot of cases and know what to look for when outfitting your iPhone with one. The 13 Pro Max is harder to purchase accessories for than in its heyday, but you can still find plenty of cases that do the job. Here are the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases you can buy.

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Keep that large iPhone safe and sound

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is chonkier than its smaller sibling the iPhone 13 Pro, so you'd best protect it with a great case. After all, this is one of the best iPhones ever, so it would be a shame if anything were to happen to it so soon after you receive it, right? While you're at it, make sure to grab a great screen protector for your iPhone 13 Pro Max too, so it remains in 100% pristine condition.

If you need something on the more affordable side, then check out Spigen's Ultra Hybrid. This clear case is easy to get on and off your iPhone 13 Pro Max when you need it, and it offers good protection. Plus, the colored bumpers add a nice splash of color to complement your iPhone 13 Pro Max color choice. Speaking of splashes, if you're looking to take your phone into the water, you'd best check our list of the best waterproof iPhone cases.

We also like the Kate Spade New York Hardshell Cases with MagSafe. They come in gorgeous designs and patterns that definitely stand out, and they provide great protection as well.

What you need to know

• New benchmarks have come out comparing the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
• The iPhone 13 Pro Max doubled the score of the Samsung S22 series.

Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy S22+ are still no match for the iPhone 13 Pro Max in terms of raw performance.

In new benchmark tests conducted by PCMag, the iPhone 13 Pro Max doubled the score of the Galaxy 22 series on the Basemark Web test. PCMag notes that this is not only because of the performance of the A15 chip but also the Safari browser vs. the Chrome browser that Android phones use.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max also outperformed Samsung's latest phones in the Geekbench 5 test but fell slightly behind in the GFXBench 5 test.

While Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU is certainly a notable improvement over its previous processor, Apple appears to be cranking out new chips that result in leaps and bounds in performance improvements. The raw performance that Apple gets is also due to it custom designing its chips for its hardware.

As its executives always say, the tight integration between the company's hardware and software results in the kind of performance and experience Apple wants to provide to its customers. More companies, like Microsoft and Google, have recently adopted this idea and started to also develop their own custom chips for their products.

What you need to know

• A woman in North London has had her iPhone 13 Pro Max stolen in transit.
• Khaoula Lafhaily received a package that contained a £1 bottle of hand soap instead.
• It seems the package was lifted by a rogue delivery driver.

A North London woman who ordered an iPhone 13 Pro Max from Sky Mobile was left bewildered and upset when she found her phone had been stolen and replaced with a £1 bottle of hand soap.

From Wales Online:

The woman paid £150 upfront and signed a three-year contract to the tune of £1,521 for an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and says that while Sky launched an investigation immediately she hasn't heard anything since. Lafhaily says she watched a driver arrive at the house, take a photo of the door and then leave, as she often watched out the window for drivers who get the address wrong:

The woman said that her phone had "definitely been stolen" and described the situation as "awful".

While we know that buying any Apple device from a third party or a stranger can be fraught with risk, you'd like to think that buying a phone from a carrier would be a bit more secure. Turns out even the best iPhone carriers and vendors aren't immune. Here's hoping Miss Lafhaily gets her iPhone back.

You don't have to look too far for terrific iPhone 13 deals. Now we're a few months out from the device's initial launch last fall, most retailers and carriers are offering some kind of promotion but there are a couple of deals at Verizon in particular that are well worth considering.

Over there, you can save as much as $1,000 on your iPhone 13 purchase meaning you can get the flagship iPhone 13 Pro Max for as little as $100 with an Unlimited plan. All you have to do in order to get the deal is trade in your old or damaged phone.

Need a pair of iPhones? Verizon is also offering a 'buy one, get up to $1,000 off another' deal that also applies to other iPhone 13 models and may work well for families needing multiple devices.

Big phone, small price

The device discount is applied over 30 or 24 monthly bill credits. Eligible trade-in devices include iPhone 4 and newer, with even the oldest devices netting you as much as $400 off. The phone you trade in doesn't even have to be in good condition, as long as it is free of battery damage.

In order to save the maximum $1,000, you'll need to trade in a newer device but models from the last couple of years like the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro are eligible for the full discount as are newer Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy Fold or S20 series.

On top of saving as much as $1,000 on your iPhone 13 device, new members will also be able to get an extra $1,000 to help cover the cost of switching for a total of up to $2,000 off. The latter is provided in the form of a prepaid Mastercard based on the outstanding device payoff and termination fees at your previous carrier.

These iPhone 13 deals aren't only for new customers, though. Upgraders can also save on iPhone 13 purchases with the buy one, get one deal still applying, and up to $700 being offered for trading in your old phone if you only need the one device.

If you're in the market for an iPhone upgrade, there's no better time than Cyber Monday to consider your options. Every major carrier and retailer seems to be offering a deal right now, which is excellent news for those looking to save some cash. Plus, the latest iPhone 13 models just hit the market, so now is your first chance to save some real cash on the newest devices or bag a bargain with a previous-gen model.

At Apple, iPhone prices stay the same all year, but third-party retailers and carrier partners have a little more wiggle room when it comes to iPhone deals. So with shoppers ready to buy, Cyber Monday is the time for these places to incentivize buyers and get them in the door with some killer savings.

Whether you're looking for the best iPhone 13 Pro deal or just want to snag the absolute cheapest iPhone price possible, you don't have to look further than right here. We keep track of iPhone deals all year long so we can let you know precisely the right deal for you, significantly ahead of the holidays when it becomes a lot harder to parse the genuinely good deals and those worth avoiding.

Where to find the best Cyber Monday iPhone deals

With the holiday shopping season upon us, you have plenty of choices when it comes to where to buy an iPhone. You'll probably first want to figure out how you want to buy it first, though. Do you want to buy it outright or on Apple's Upgrade Program? Would a carrier deal including service make more sense for you and your family's needs? Answering these questions will make it easier to narrow down where to look for iPhone deals, though the below links are an excellent place to start.

• AT&T: Up to $1,000 off with trade-in
• Verizon: Free iPhone 13 Pro with trade-in plus switching bonuses
• Visible: Up to $200 back plus free AirPods Pro
• Mint Mobile: Three months service free with iPhone purchase
• T-Mobile: Get iPhone 13 Pro & AirPods for free
• Amazon: Up to $100 back in Amazon credit
• Best Buy: Get iPhone 13 free with trade-in
• Apple: $50 Apple Gift Card with iPhone 12 or iPhone SE

When do the Cyber Monday iPhone deals begin?

Right now! All of the Cyber Monday iPhone deals we're going to see this year are already available. While Cyber Monday 2021 doesn't officially kick off until November 29, that hasn't stopped retailers and carriers from unveiling their best iPhone deals already. With production and shipping issues galore this year, it makes total sense to buy early if you can, so this is no bad thing.

Best Cyber Monday iPhone 13 deals

In 2021, Apple unveiled its iPhone 13 lineup. The regular iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini feature excellent new cameras, improvements to battery life, and an excellent selection of colors, making them the best iPhone for most people. However, with the below deals, you can score Apple's latest model for less.

Best Cyber Monday iPhone 13 Pro deals

The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro really up the ante when it comes to Apple's flagship phones with the addition of a 120Hz Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, Telephoto camera, and up to 1TB of storage. It's a beast of a phone and carries a hefty price tag for all that power, though you don't have to pay full price for one if you know where to look.

Best Cyber Monday iPhone 12 deals

Though it's no longer the latest model, Apple has kept the iPhone 12 around and reduced its price, making it an attractive option for those that don't need the top-of-the-line features and would prefer instead to save a few bucks. In addition, retailers and carriers are particularly interested in moving iPhone 12 units, so you might be able to score some significant savings here.

Best Cyber Monday iPhone 11 deals

Despite being a few years old at this point, iPhone 11 is still a fantastic phone with a 6.1-inch display, dual-camera setup, and still-speedy A13 Bionic processor. It will still get a few more years of software updates, too. So those wanting a cheap but large phone should consider it if a good deal crops up.

Best Cyber Monday iPhone SE deals

iPhone SE continues to keep its place in Apple's iPhone lineup as the device for those that want a physical Home button with Touch ID instead of Face ID. Updated in 2020, it has recent specs like an A13 Bionic chip and a 12MP camera. Plus, there's a lot to say for the familiarity of that design. With a $399 starting price, it's already an inexpensive entry point to the iPhone, but Cyber Monday deals should drop that even lower.

What you need to know

• Caviar has a history of making wacky and costly custom iPhones.
• The latest Caviar iPhone 13 Pro Max comes with a read T-Rex tooth in it.

Sure the iPhone 13 Pro Max is pretty cool, but you know what would make it even cooler? A dinosaur tooth! In reality, there's little that can't be made cooler by adding a dinosaur tooth, which is probably why custom iPhone maker Caviar is shipping an iPhone 13 Pro Max with one embedded in the back of it for $9,150.

We aren't just talking about any old tooth here, either. This tooth belonged to a T-Rex and is around 80 million years old. Pretty cool, right?

Yes, yes it is.

Really, do you need to know any more than that? How about the fact that this is a 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max and that it's limited to just seven pieces — does that tickle the T-Rex fancy for you?

Anyone who wants the very best iPhone money can buy can pick one of these things up direct from Caviar right now. But be quick! I'm not saying I want one of these things, but that seven might become six pretty soon!

Not very long ago, I wrote about how surprised I was that I'd become accustomed to the heft of my iPhone 13 Pro Max so quickly. I stand by that, and I wouldn't swap my iPhone for a smaller one. But that doesn't mean that I don't have thoughts. And opinions.

I always have opinions.

Let's start with the opinions and get to the thoughts later. My opinion, until recently, was that the idea of a cellular Apple Watch was pretty insane. Why would your watch need its connection to the internet when your iPhone is always with you anyway? It can just piggyback off of that, right?

Well, yes and no. The reason some people want a cellular Apple Watch is simple – they want to be able to go for a run without an iPhone flapping around in a pocket or strapped to their arm like some sort of Cupertino-approved ad. I'd generally thought that wasn't all that big of an issue anyway, suggesting that iPhones aren't that big or heavy and that it couldn't really be that much of a problem. I was wrong, of course, but I didn't know it at the time.

Fast forward to today and my first week with my iPhone 13 Pro Max. Can you see where this is going yet?

It turns out; it sure would be nice to be able to leave my iPhone at home and still have notifications and whatnot on my wrist. Who knew?!

Now, to be clear, I haven't become a fitness fanatic overnight. I've no intention of going running with or without an iPhone – unless someone's chasing me, and even then, I'd want to know how far I'd need to run first. The time I've found myself wishing I could leave my iPhone at home is much more mundane – it's the school run because I do have to pick the kids back up at some point.

Will all of this, be enough for me to admit my iPhone 13 Pro Max is too big? Not – now that I think about it properly, the idea of a cellular watch just makes more sense than it doesn't. It just took a use case for me to find a reason to want to get one for myself.

And sure, that huge iPhone might have helped me along the way, but it's more than manageable enough for when I leave the house – I just want the option of leaving at home when I know I'm just popping out for a while.

So we can all agree that I'm all-in on Team Pro Max right now. But what about those on the periphery? Could a cellular Apple Watch Series 7 be the answer to their iPhone 13 Pro Max anxiety? I reckon so, although there's no doubt that's an additional expense that many won't want to foot the bill for.

Still, money no object? A cellular Apple Watch and an iPhone 13 Pro Max could be the best iPhone setup ever.

Apple's iPhone 13 lineup is now on sale, but pretty clear there is only one phone to get if you want to play mobile games. If you're really serious about getting the best out of services like Apple Arcade, though, you're going to want an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

According to benchmarks that have been run by those who have one, the five-core GPU that's part of the A15 Bionic chip powering iPhone 13 Pro makes it the GPU monster that gamers will love. Ir's to be capable of performance that's around 55% faster than the outgoing iPhone 12 Pro, which is mighty impressive. Sure, the standard iPhone 13 is still fast by any measurement, but its one fewer GPU core means it can't quite keep up with the Pro.

I've mentioned before the iPhone 13 Pro Max performance:

So if iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone for gamers because of its pixel-pushing prowess, why do I say iPhone 13 Pro Max is the one to get? Well, that's because of screen size, of course. 6.7 inches of gorgeous 120Hz ProMotion Super Retina XDR hotness. And slap that thing into a gaming controller like the Razer Kishi, and you have the ultimate in portable gaming – Nintendo Switch be damned.

That's exactly the setup I've been playing Fantasian on, too. And boy is it great. Yes, you could play on a larger display using an iPad and a controller, but you'd lose the handheld approach that is so compelling. The same goes for playing on Apple TV, too — there's just something about having the game in your hand that really benefits from iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Between the larger display, the extra GPU core, and of course, that massive batter, it's impossible to look beyond iPhone 13 Pro Max if you're in the market for an iPhone that will do double duty as a Nintendo Switch replacement. With Apple Arcade and an App Store full of games, you could argue it's even better than a Switch in some ways!

Before I write any more, let me preface all of this with the fact that I know iPhone 13 Pro Max is too big for you, and yes, I'm insane for carting it around with me. But really — am I?

See, I've been waiting for the iPhone 13 series to arrive. Not because I was looking forward to new cameras — they are good — and not because I expected the A15 Bionic to smoke the A14 Bionic — it doesn't. No, I was looking to ditch my iPhone 12 Pro a year in for one reason, and one reason only — I wanted the bigger display. I believe that iPhone 13 Pro is now the best iPhone for people who like to use it as a mini-computer, and that's exactly what I do.

Usually, I might not have bothered ditching my iPhone 12 Pro for an iPhone 13 Pro — who am I kidding? — but I'd very much set my heart on buying something bigger. I'd even considered chopping my iPhone 12 Pro in for a cheap iPhone 12 Pro Max! I just wanted the big screen, after all. But that just seemed like a bad idea, and now I have a Sierra Blue iPhone 13, Pro Max. And it's naked.

I'll get to that part later.

So, how am I getting on with my first bigger than big iPhone? Well, that's actually a lie right out of the gate. I've tried the big iPhones before, and they never lasted longer than Apple's 14-day return period. So I'm sure you can imagine that I opened the iPhone 13 Pro Max with some trepidation. I knew I wanted it. But could I handle it?

Less than a week in, and I'll say that I can. What's more, I'm amazed at just how quickly that 6.7-inch ProMotion display feels normal. Not small, of course. It very much isn't. But it doesn't feel like the monster that it did on day one, and honestly, it doesn't feel much bigger than my iPhone 12 Pro despite the numbers showing that it is. Even one-handed, the phone is smaller than its dimensions might have you believe. Admittedly, I made a call on it earlier and lost sight out of one eye, but still!

The only time I did feel the size and weight — the latter is arguably the bigger issue for some — was when I decided to put a case on this thing. I won't name the cases because that's unfair on them, but it's fair to say that an iPhone 13 Pro Max in a case designed to protect it well is too much for me. Then it's too big and too unwieldy for my small hands.

Did I mention my hands are small yet? Because they are. That's a fact that can't be overstated. Yet here I am, iPhone 13 Pro mAx (almost) in hand, ready to rock and roll.

But like all the very best, I'll be rocking and rolling naked because a case is just too much, and this is what Uncle Steve invented AppleCare+ for.

Oh, and I haven't dropped it. Yet!

What you need to know

• New drop tests show that iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn't break too easily, despite its heft.
• Those prone to dropping things should probably still get a case.

Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max is a hefty bit of kit and that's something that can make it susceptible to breakage when dropped. As with any new iPhone launch, there have been people dropping these things in the name of science — and it turns out Apple's massive iPhone is pretty good at standing up to a tumble.

In a YouTube video put together by EverythingApplePro, an iPhone 13 Pro Max was dropped alongside an iPhone 13 Pro to see how they held up. The tests involved a concrete floor which is about as harsh a drop as most iPhones are going to have to deal with. While the iPhones do eventually break, they seem to withstand falls from table height surprisingly well — a height most iPhones are likely to fall from. Just try not to drop these things when they're around head height.

You'll see why when you watch the video.

Apple makes plenty of noise about its Ceramic Shield being tough enough to keep iPhones safe, but dropping any phone from a certain height will always result in tears. Those who are prone to dropping things should still make sure to use a case or, if that isn't your style, get AppleCare+ instead. It'll work out more costly, but at least you get to admire that iPhone 13 look that way.

Apple's iPhone 13 handsets are now on sale after launching on Friday, September 24. These are the best iPhones yet and sales appear to have been brisk — at least based on how busy my local Apple Store was on collection day!

Looking for a case to keep your pride and joy safe? These are the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases available today.

What you need to know

• Apple's iPhone 13 lineup has been put through a continuous battery life test with impressive results.
• The new iPhone 13 Pro Max ran out with a huge win thanks to its massive battery.

Apple launched its iPhone 13 lineup today and it's proving popular among those who picked one up on launch day. One of the improvements Apple has been touting is battery life, with one of the new models set to benefit from up to 2.5 hours longer between charges. That's iPhone 13 Pro Max and new tests show that it is indeed the battery life winner we expected. And then some.

Tests carried out by YouTuber Arun (Mrwhosetheboss) Maini put all four new iPhones through their paces alongside an iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and 2020 iPhone SE. The test wasn't scientific, admittedly, but the continuous-use test is at least consistent — testing other iPhones gives us an idea of what we should expect from the new ones.

Turns out, we should expect a lot.

Here's how things panned out:

• iPhone SE (2020): 3 hours and 38 minutes
• iPhone 11: 4 hours and 20 minutes
• iPhone 12: 5 hours and 54 minutes
• iPhone 13 mini: 6 hours and 26 minutes
• iPhone 13: 7 hours and 45 minutes
• iPhone 13 Pro: 8 hours and 17 minutes
• iPhone 13 Pro Max: 9 hours and 52 minutes

According to Maini, iPhone 13 Pro Max is not only the best iPhone for battery life but also the best phone ever tested, too. If your main concern is making sure your iPhone battery lasts long enough to deal with whatever you can throw at it, this is the handset for you.

What you need to know

• Apple has announced the new iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
• New cameras, a new display, and a smaller notch are all here.

Just as we expected, Apple just announced the new iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max during its California Streaming event — and neither new device disappoints.

Taking much of the iPhone 13 features and improving on them, the new flagship phones are faster than ever thanks to the new A15 chip and expanded 5G connectivity. Again, just like iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max sport a new notch that's 20% smaller than last year.

In terms of performance, the new A15 chip offers six cores, four of which are high-performance parts. A five-core GPO will make sure games run like crazy on this thing, too.

Up front, we have a new display with support for ProMotion that can handle a 120Hz refresh rate when needed. When it isn't, that screen ratchets all the way down to just 10Hz. Brightness comes in at 1,000 nits peak output, 20% more than the iPhone 12 lineup from last year. Screens are still 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch for iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, respectively.

Buyers will be able to choose between graphite, gold, silver, and sierra blue colors — adding a new color to the lineup.

Cameras are why tons of people will buy iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. The new 77mm telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom, while a new ultrawide lens offers improved low-light performance. The wide angle lens is much the same, so expect great shots no matter the lighting situation.

The new camera system means Apple can now offer a macrophotography feature via the ultrawide camera. A minimum distance of 2nm will make for some great photos, while Night mode is now available across all three cameras for the first time, too.

Apple has also announced Photographic Styles, allowing people to set individual preferences for the photos that will be taken. These changes will apply to images as they're captured, rather than simply applying a filter after the fact.

Apple also confirmed that ProRes video will arrive later this year, giving creators more control over their recordings. 4K 30fps ProRes support will be included, although it isn't clear when. Regardless, there's little doubt iPhone 13 Pro Max is now the best iPhone for people taking photos and capturing video.

Owners of the new iPhones will notice a battery life increase of up to 2.5 hours longer than previous models — the longest of any iPhone ever, Apple notes.

Pricing is the same as last year, with iPhone 13 Pro starting at $999 and iPhone 13 Pro Max starting at $1099. And yes, a 1TB model will be available for the first time as well. Pre-orders begin this Friday, September 17 and the phones will be available from Friday, September 24.

What you need to know

• Newly leaked video appears to show iPhone 13 Pro Max cases.
• The branding could finally put an end to questions about whether the next iPhone will use the number 13 in its name.

If all goes according to expectations we should see Apple announce iPhone 13 later this month. And now we might know with more certainty that it will indeed carry that name rather than the previously rumored iPhone 12s.

While there have long been questions about whether Apple would decide against iPhone 13 and instead use the 12s moniker, a new Twitter video appears to have outed the actual name via a stack of Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max cases.

Originally shared by Twitter account @PinkDon1 before being deleted, the video has now been reuploaded by Majin Bu, giving us another look at what appears to be a ton of Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max Silicone Cases.

The cases and packaging appear to match up with what we would expect Apple's own cases to look like and the number shown in this short video suggests they are in a distribution facility operated by Apple or one of its suppliers.

Some had wondered whether Apple might avoid using the number 13 due to various potential issues, ranging from people believing that the number was unlucky to phobias relating to the number itself. That now seems less likely, with some of the thought that the "s" years are now a thing of the past.

Apple's iPhone 13, if rumors are true, will ship with a new, smaller notch as well as improved cameras and a fancy 120Hz ProMotion display. It'll be the best iPhone ever made — regardless of what Apple calls it.

What you need to know

• YouTuber Unbox Therapy got hold of an iPhone 13 Pro Max dummy unit via leaker Ben Geskin.
• The unit shows a smaller notch and relocated earpiece as has been heavily rumored.

We might have just been given our best look at an iPhone 13 device yet after YouTuber Unbox Therapy got hold of a supposed iPhone 13 Pro Max dummy unit.

The unit shows pretty much everything we've come to expect from a device that won't be announced until in or around September this year. That includes a smaller notch than we've ever seen before as well as a relocated earpiece to make that size reduction possible. The difference is noticeable, too.

While it's impossible to confirm whether this is indeed what an iPhone 13 Pro Max will look like, similar dummy units have proven accurate in recent years. At this point, I'm fairly confident that what we're looking at here is what we'll be buying come September.

The new notch, which is narrower than those found on current iPhones, will still house everything required for Face ID while the earpiece has been moved up a tad. There are changes around the back as well, with larger camera lenses expected to provide more light for improved sensors.

Beyond the most obvious differences, iPhone 13 Pro Max appears to be almost identical to iPhone 12 Pro Max – the the best iPhone for photographers to date. With the cameras set to be improved this year, I expect the Pro Max model to be the best camera around once more.

All being well Apple will announce the new 2021 iPhones this September or October.

What you need to know

• Leaked iPhone 13 schematics could show the device will have much bigger camera lenses.
• The information from EverythingApplePro seems to suggest the camera module will be larger and a perfect square.
• They also suggest the lenses of the iPhone 13 Pro Max will be significantly larger.

More leaked iPhone 13 Pro Max schematics appear to suggest that the camera module and lenses of this year's device will be much larger than that of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.

In his latest video EverythingApplePro shows off CAD drawings of both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 mini.

According to the video, Apple is planning to make the camera module (the square on the back that holds all the lenses) larger on all models, with dimensions that will make it almost a perfect square. On the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the module will also stick out a tiny bit more (less than 1mm), increasing the thickness of the iPhone by just one-quarter of a millimeter. The lenses of the iPhone 13 Pro Max are also reportedly set to get visibly larger to incorporate more advanced technology such as bigger sensors.

EAP's renders also seem to reiterate previous leaks from earlier this week which suggest the iPhone 13 mini will likely see a reshuffled rear camera housing with a diagonal configuration, rather than two cameras vertically arranged as they are on the iPhone 12 mini.

The iPhone 13 Pro is also set to get a larger camera module that will again stick out more compared to the bump in the iPhone 12.

With the iPhone 13 expected to a subtle 'S' upgrade, a report earlier this week indicated the big change in the iPhone camera could in fact come next year, Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this week reporting that Apple is planning to adopt a 48MP camera that can shoot 8K video in its 'Pro' models next year. Kuo also said the iPhone 13 mini will be the last 'mini' iPhone, and that Apple will release two 6.1-inch models next year instead.

What you need to know

• Ming-Chi Kuo says that an upgrade is coming to the iPhone 13 Pro Max's wide-angle camera.
• A new supply chain note says it will shift to a ƒ1.5 aperture, but that the remaining iPhone 13 models will keep the ƒ1.6 wide-angle lens from the iPhone 12.

A new report says Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max will come with an upgraded wide-angle lens, but that this is the only model getting the upgrade.

In a research note seen by iMore, Kuo notes that supplier Sunny Optical is "expected to pass the 7P wide-angle lens quality verification" for the iPhone 13, obtaining orders and shipping components in the second quarter of 2021. In stating this, Kuo notes the respective apertures of the iPhone 13's wide-angle cameras, noting an upgrade to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. He says the iPhone 13 mini, 13, and 13 Pro all "share the same ƒ1.6 wide-angle lens", but stating that the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a ƒ1.5 aperture lens.

Currently, Apple's iPhone 12 Pro, one of the best iPhones available, comes with an aperture of ƒ1.6 across the board, from Apple's spec sheet:

If Kuo's latest note is correct (and they usually are), we can expect the wide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro Max to get slightly better. This would indicate Apple's trend of differentiating its Pro Max model from the Pro by more than just size is set to continue, as you can see above, the iPhone 12 Pro Max already delivers improvements in the telephoto lens compared to the 12 Pro.

As per every other report out there, Kuo reiterated the iPhone 13 is expected to launch in the second half of this year. Previous iPhone 13 camera reports have claimed the lens from the iPhone 12 Pro Max is coming to the entire iPhone 13 lineup, and in a previous note Kuo has stated the iPhone 13's Ultra-wide camera is also getting an upgrade.