Apple pulled the iPhone 13 Pro Max from its lineup in 2024, but in Ireland the device hasn’t disappeared — it’s found a second life in the refurbished market, with prices that keep dropping as newer models push it further down the value chain. If you’re weighing whether to buy one now or wait for something newer, the numbers from Irish retailers show a picture that’s more nuanced than a simple “too old, too cheap” headline. This guide walks through current pricing, what you actually get for your money, and whether a 2021 phone still holds up in 2026.

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Released: September 2021 · Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED · Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic · Battery: 4352 mAh · Max Storage: 1TB

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max released September 2021 (Celtic Repairs)
  • Discontinued by Apple in 2024 per RockIT Repairs (Celtic Repairs)
  • Back Market fair-condition 128GB: €375 as of April 2026 (Back Market)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Apple will extend iOS support beyond 2027 for this generation
  • Exact stock levels at each Irish retailer in real time
  • Whether prices will drop further before the end of 2026
3Timeline signal
  • Sep 2021: Announced and released
  • 2024: Discontinued as Apple shifted focus to newer generations
  • 2026: Refurbished market now primary avenue for new-to-you purchase
  • 2027: Potential support end for 13-series — buyers should factor this in
4What’s next
  • Refurbished prices likely to fall further as 2027 support clock runs down
  • Alternative: newer iPhone 14 or 15 Pro models at higher price points
  • Watch for seasonal sales events — Black Friday could bring sub-€350 deals

Seven retailers, one pattern: pricing spans from €349 to €1,249 depending on retailer, condition, and storage tier.

Retailer 128GB Price Condition Warranty
Swappie €349 Varies 12 months
Back Market €375 Fair Varies
Back Market €396 Good Varies
The iOutlet €621.99 Grade A 12 months
Back Market €619 Premium Varies
Refurbed.ie €1,249 Refurbished 12 months
Apple IE From ~€1,700+ Certified Refurb 1 year

The pattern shows Swappie and Back Market dominating the low-to-mid range while Apple-certified units command a significant premium.

How much is an iPhone 13 Pro Max worth now?

The iPhone 13 Pro Max hasn’t been officially sold new since Apple discontinued it in 2024, but Irish buyers have no shortage of options — they just need to know where to look and what condition to expect. Back Market lists the device starting at €375 for a fair-condition 128GB model as of April 2026, with prices climbing to €619 for a premium-condition unit with the same storage. Swappie undercuts that floor at €349 as a starting price, offering a 12-month warranty with each device.

Current market prices

Back Market’s price guide shows a clear gradient: 128GB fair condition goes for €375, while upgrading to 256GB adds €24 and 512GB adds €40 more. Good condition pushes those figures to €396, €420.50, and €462 respectively, with 1TB reaching €524 in that tier. Premium condition — the highest grade on Back Market — runs €619 for 128GB, putting it roughly €270 above the fair-condition entry point.

The catch

The gap between Swappie’s €349 entry and Back Market’s premium €619 isn’t just brand prestige — it reflects real differences in battery health, cosmetic grading, and inspection rigor. Don’t assume “refurbished” means the same thing everywhere.

Ireland pricing guide

Irish-specific retailers add their own variables. The iOutlet lists a Grade A 128GB Graphite at €621.99 after a recent price cut from €671.99. Refurbed.ie takes a different approach, listing the iPhone 13 Pro Max at €1,249 — a claimed 70% discount — though the listing doesn’t break down condition tiers the way third-party platforms do. Celtic Repairs stocks very good condition units in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB with nationwide An Post delivery, offering a local alternative for buyers who prefer Irish-run businesses.

Refurbished vs new

Apple’s own certified refurbished store (Apple IE) remains the most expensive channel, with savings reportedly up to 15% off original retail. At those rates, the iPhone 13 Pro Max would still cost well over €1,700 for most configurations — a significant premium over third-party refurbished options. The trade-off: Apple-certified units undergo full functional testing, come with a one-year warranty, and include the original device’s battery replaced if it falls below 80% capacity.

The upshot

Back Market (a specialist resale platform) offers the widest condition-based price spread, while Swappie (another specialist) undercuts it on the low end. Irish buyers prioritizing Apple-grade quality should check Apple IE first; those chasing the lowest price should start at Swappie or Back Market’s fair-condition listings.

Why did the iPhone 13 Pro Max get discontinued?

Apple has followed a consistent pattern for years: once a generation ages past a certain point in the lineup, it gets quietly removed from the store to push buyers toward newer hardware. The iPhone 13 Pro Max fell into that slot in 2024 when Apple discontinued it alongside the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 Pro models. This wasn’t a surprise — Apple’s product strategy has long prioritized keeping three generations of Pro models active at most, and with the iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro in the lineup, the 13 Pro Max became redundant.

Apple’s discontinuation announcement

Independent retailers and repair specialists noted the shift as Apple updated its online store. RockIT Repairs documented the move, confirming the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max all disappeared from official sales channels. The discontinuation didn’t mean the phone stopped working — it meant Apple stopped producing it for retail, leaving the secondary market to handle ongoing demand.

Impact on availability

For Irish buyers, the discontinuation reshaped where to buy rather than whether to buy. New units became unavailable from Apple directly, but certified refurbished and third-party reseller channels picked up the slack. Retailers like Swappie, Back Market, and Refurbed.ie have become the primary purchase points, while Allo Allo and ViberStore offer additional Irish-facing options with varying warranty terms.

What this means

Irish buyers in 2026 are entirely dependent on the refurbishment ecosystem for iPhone 13 Pro Max stock. That means condition grading, warranty variety, and pricing transparency vary more than they would through an official Apple store — and it means prices will continue drifting downward as supply from trade-ins and returns grows.

Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max still worth buying in 2026?

That’s the question every Irish buyer weighing this device needs to answer honestly — and the answer depends heavily on what you need a phone to do and how long you plan to keep it. The iPhone 13 Pro Max still runs iOS 17.4, handles everyday tasks without hesitation, and its 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display holds up well against screens on newer mid-range devices. But its days as a fully supported device are numbered, and that matters more than the spec sheet.

Pros and cons

Upsides

  • Pro camera system still competitive in 2026 — same 3× optical zoom, Night Mode, and ProRAW capability as when it launched
  • A15 Bionic chip handles current apps without lag
  • 6.7-inch display remains among the largest available in this price range
  • Refurbished pricing at €349–€619 undercuts newer budget smartphones while offering Apple build quality
  • 4352 mAh battery with 50% charge in 30 minutes — solid endurance by any standard
  • Swappie reports CO₂ savings of 78% versus new device production

Downsides

  • Apple may drop iOS support for the 13 series in 2027 — a real risk for buyers planning to keep the phone 3+ years
  • No MagSafe 2 or Qi2 wireless charging — limited to Qi standard
  • Apple Intelligence features require newer chips and may not arrive on this model
  • Refurbished units have unknown prior usage history regardless of grading — battery health varies
  • Back Market’s fair-condition units carry visible cosmetic wear that not all buyers find acceptable

The trade-off deserves weight: a €350–€620 spend saves hundreds upfront but leaves buyers with a ticking clock on software updates they may not see coming.

Value for money

The refurbishment market frames this phone as a value play: Back Market claims prices up to 70% below original retail for devices in perfect working condition, and Swappie claims up to 30% savings compared to buying new. Those are meaningful discounts, but they’re anchored to a device whose relevance window is closing. Apple typically supports iPhones for five to six years after launch — the iPhone 13 Pro Max entered that window in 2021, leaving maybe one to two years of guaranteed software updates remaining.

The trade-off

Buying a refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max at €350–€620 saves Irish buyers hundreds of euros compared to a new iPhone 16 — but that savings comes with a ticking clock on iOS updates. For buyers who upgrade every two to three years, that risk is manageable. For those who hold phones longer, a newer base model may be the smarter long-term choice.

How old is the iPhone 13 Pro Max?

The iPhone 13 Pro Max turned three years old in September 2024 — nearly five years since its September 2021 launch. That’s a long run by smartphone standards, and it shows in the way the market has shifted. When it launched, the Pro Max was Apple’s flagship large-screen device, sitting above the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini in both price and specs. Four years later, it’s been replaced by two full generations of Pro Max hardware, and Apple’s own certified store no longer carries it.

Release date

Apple announced the iPhone 13 Pro Max on September 14, 2021, with availability beginning September 24, 2021. GSMArena documented the full specs at launch: a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display at 2778-by-1284 resolution, the A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU in the Pro models, and a triple-camera system that set the benchmark for smartphone photography that year. Storage started at 128GB, scaling up to 1TB — a range that remains relevant in 2026’s refurbished market, where all four storage tiers appear across retailers.

Support timeline

Apple hasn’t officially confirmed an end-of-support date for the iPhone 13 series, but patterns from previous generations suggest a rough timeline. The iPhone 6S received its final iOS update in 2018, roughly six years after launch. More recent generations have followed a similar arc: five to six years of major iOS updates, then one to two additional years of security patches before full retirement. If that pattern holds, iOS 18 or 19 may be the last major update the iPhone 13 Pro Max receives — possibly arriving in 2026 or 2027, depending on Apple’s scheduling.

Why this matters

Irish buyers purchasing the iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2026 should treat it as a two-year phone at most unless Apple extends support beyond historical patterns. Factor that limitation into your purchase decision — the discounted price only makes sense if you’re planning to resell or trade in before the support window closes.

Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max still a good phone in 2026?

For a specific type of buyer, yes — and for others, not really. The iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a capable device in 2026, but “capable” is doing more work in that sentence than it might seem. The screen is still sharp, the processor still fast enough for current apps, and the camera system still produces results that satisfy most users. What has changed is the context: newer mid-range phones from Android and older iPhone generations have caught up on features, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s support window is visibly narrowing.

Battery life and updates

The 4352 mAh battery in the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains one of the larger capacities Apple has shipped, and its charging performance — 50% in 30 minutes with the right adapter — holds up against 2026 standards. Celtic Repairs confirms the device supports iOS up to 17.4, and Qi2 wireless charging requires an iOS 17.2 update to unlock its full potential on compatible chargers. For battery life in practice, a refurbished unit’s actual health depends on its prior usage cycle count — Back Market and Swappie grade their units by condition, but none of the major retailers publicly disclose cycle count data in their listings.

Future support

Apple’s iOS support timeline is the wild card that could make or break a purchase decision in 2026. If the iPhone 13 series receives iOS 19 in 2026, buyers get at least another year of major features and security updates. If Apple stops at iOS 18, the window closes sooner. Either way, buyers planning to hold the device for three or more years should factor in a likely trade-in or resale before the end of 2027 — the phone’s value will drop sharply once iOS support ends, and finding buyers for an unsupported iPhone in the secondary market will become difficult.

The bottom line

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a solid phone in 2026 for buyers upgrading every two to three years and comfortable with refurbished condition variation. For those who hold phones longer or prioritize access to Apple Intelligence and the latest features, a newer iPhone base model makes more sense despite the higher upfront cost.

iPhone 13 Pro Max Specifications

Six key specs tell the story of what this device offers in 2026’s market.

Specification Detail
Announced September 2021
Display 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2778×1284 at 458 ppi
Chip Apple A15 Bionic
Storage Variants 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery 4352 mAh, 50% charge in 30 min
Camera 12MP triple system, 3× optical zoom, ProRAW, Night Mode
iOS (current) Up to 17.4
Discontinued 2024
Refurb Warranty 12 months typical (Apple Certified: 1 year)

The specs table confirms this device still matches most modern demands for screen size, processing power, and camera capability.

At perfect working condition, it’ll be up to 70% less than brand new.

— Back Market (specialist resale platform)

By choosing a Swappie refurbished iPhone, you can save up to 30% while also reducing CO₂ emissions by 78%.

— Swappie (specialist refurbishment retailer)

Every Apple Certified Refurbished product includes savings up to 15%, and comes with a one-year warranty.

— Apple (official manufacturer)

For Irish buyers in 2026, the iPhone 13 Pro Max sits at an unusual crossroads: it’s no longer cutting-edge, but its 6.7-inch display, A15 Bionic chip, and Pro camera system still deliver a experience that competes with much of what’s on the market at similar price points. The real question isn’t whether it’s good — it is — but whether the timing makes sense. With iOS support likely winding down in 2027, the phone works best as a short-to-medium-term option rather than a long-term investment. Buyers who know they’ll upgrade again within two to three years will find real value here; those who expect to hold a phone until it stops getting updates should look elsewhere, even if it means spending more upfront on a newer generation.

Related reading: Best Deals on Phones in Ireland · What Is Recovery Mode on Android & iPhone?

Additional sources

getlocal.ie, refurbed.ie, apple.com, backmarket.ie, alloallo.com, swappie.com, alloallo.com

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Frequently asked questions

What carriers offer iPhone 13 Pro Max in Ireland?

The iPhone 13 Pro Max works on all major Irish networks including Vodafone, Three, and Eir. Refurbished units from Refurbed.ie are explicitly sold unlocked for all networks, while units from other retailers may or may not include a SIM-free option — check the listing before purchase.

What is the battery life of iPhone 13 Pro Max?

The device packs a 4352 mAh battery. Apple rated it at up to 28 hours of video playback at launch. In practice, real-world battery life depends heavily on the condition and cycle count of the specific refurbished unit — Back Market grades condition but doesn’t disclose cycle count, so consider requesting battery health data before purchase if it’s available.

Does iPhone 13 Pro Max get iOS updates in 2026?

Yes. The device currently supports iOS 17.4 and will likely receive iOS 18 when it launches. Apple typically provides five to six years of major updates from launch, which for the iPhone 13 Pro Max means 2026 or 2027 may be the final major update cycle. Security updates typically continue for one to two years after that.

What colors are available for iPhone 13 Pro Max?

At launch, Apple offered Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue. Some retailers may have stock in one or more of these colors; others may only list availability by storage without specifying color. Check individual listings for what’s currently in stock — color options vary by retailer and condition tier.

Is iPhone 13 Pro Max water resistant?

Yes. The iPhone 13 Pro Max carries an IP68 rating under IEC standard 60529, meaning it can survive submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. This rating applies to the device’s original condition; refurbished units may have been repaired or have degraded seals depending on prior damage history, so treat the rating as a baseline rather than a guarantee for any individual unit.

How does iPhone 13 Pro Max camera compare to newer models?

The 12MP triple-camera system with 3× optical zoom remains competitive in 2026 for everyday photography. Newer iPhone generations have larger sensors and computational photography improvements, but the gap is most noticeable in low-light situations and with Apple’s latest ProRAW features. For social media, casual photography, and most professional use cases, the 13 Pro Max camera holds up well.

What is the warranty on refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max?

Warranty terms vary by retailer. Apple Certified Refurbished units come with a one-year warranty and a battery replaced if it falls below 80% capacity. Third-party retailers like Swappie, Back Market, and The iOutlet typically offer 12-month warranties. Allo Allo stands out with a 36-month warranty on refurbished units. ViberStore covers battery issues for 90 days but excludes accidental damage coverage — check the specific retailer’s terms before purchasing.