The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To tell whether an upgrade will feel bigger, heavier, or thicker, compare your current iPhone with each candidate by height, width, depth, and weight—not screen size alone. Apple publishes those measurements on its comparison pages, but its figures can vary by configuration and manufacturing process.
Why screen size does not tell you how big a phone feels
The screen’s diagonal is a display measurement, not the phone’s full footprint. Apple describes its diagonal figures as measurements of a standard rectangular screen shape and notes that the actual viewable area is less. Bezels, edges, and the body’s proportions mean two phones with similar diagonals can still differ in hand and pocket.
For example, Apple lists a 5.42-inch diagonal for the iPhone 13 mini and a 6.68-inch diagonal for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Those labels give a quick sense of screen scale, but the body measurements are what you need to judge the physical difference. See Apple’s iPhone model identification guide for its diagonal-size explanations and model groupings.
Compare the dimensions that affect everyday carry
- Width: A useful dimension to check when thinking about grip and one-handed reach.
- Height: Helps show the phone’s overall footprint and how it may fit in a pocket.
- Depth: Shows how thick the body is; camera bumps can also affect how a phone sits or feels.
- Weight: Adds context for carrying the phone and holding it for extended periods.
These are practical ways to interpret the measurements, not results of an Apple ergonomics test. If you use a case, compare each phone with the case you intend to carry; a case changes both bulk and weight. For the fairest comparison, compare both phones bare or both with their intended cases.
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Compare exact models using the same units
Start with the exact iPhone you own and the specific upgrade candidates you are considering. Apple’s comparison pages list dimensions and weight; keep millimetres and grams consistent as you compare. The table below uses Apple-published specifications. Apple says size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process, so treat these figures as model specifications rather than guaranteed measurements for every unit.
| Model | Screen diagonal | Height | Width | Depth | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | 5.42 in | 131.5 mm | 64.2 mm | 7.65 mm | 141 g |
| iPhone 13 | 6.06 in | 146.7 mm | 71.5 mm | 7.65 mm | 174 g |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 6.68 in | 160.9 mm | 77.8 mm | 7.80 mm | 201 g |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 6.68 in | 160.8 mm | 78.1 mm | 7.65 mm | 240 g |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 6.86 in | 163 mm | 77.6 mm | 8.25 mm | 227 g |
| iPhone 16 | 6.12 in | 147.6 mm | 71.6 mm | 7.80 mm | 170 g |
Specifications are from Apple’s iPhone comparison page; Apple’s model identification guide explains its diagonal measurements. Lineups and comparison pages may change, and these US comparison listings alone do not establish availability or the exact configuration in every region.
What the numbers reveal in real comparisons
A compact phone versus a Plus model
The iPhone 13 mini measures 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.65 mm and weighs 141 g; the iPhone 15 Plus measures 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm and weighs 201 g. The Plus is substantially taller and wider, while its listed depth is only slightly greater. This comparison shows why a larger display is only one part of the change: height and width describe the expanded footprint, and weight describes the added mass.
Two Pro Max generations
Apple lists the iPhone 13 Pro Max at 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.65 mm and 240 g, versus 163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm and 227 g for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The newer model is taller and thicker in those figures, slightly narrower, and lighter. A familiar “Pro Max” label therefore does not mean the devices have identical dimensions or weight.
How to make the comparison useful before buying
- Write down your current model and candidates. Use exact model names rather than broad labels such as “Pro” or “Plus”; dimensions differ by model and generation.
- Look up all four body measurements. Use Apple’s comparison page and record height, width, depth, and weight for each candidate alongside your current phone.
- Compare the dimension you care about most. For reach and grip, focus on width; for pocket footprint, check height as well; for thickness and carrying feel, include depth and mass.
- Account for your case. If you plan to use one, compare the candidates with their intended cases rather than comparing a cased phone against a bare one.
- Handle the exact model if a small difference matters to you. Published figures cannot establish how its width, mass, or camera bump will feel in your hand or pocket.
How to choose when several sizes could work
Compare candidates on four separate axes: overall footprint (height and width), thickness, mass, and display diagonal. If you carry a case, treat the cased phone’s bulk and weight as an additional practical check. There is no universally best size: what feels comfortable depends on your grip, pockets, and carrying preferences.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
