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In the U.S., a good unlocked iPhone 13 Pro Max currently costs about $400–$500. The phone is discontinued from normal new-phone retail channels, so most listings are used, open-box, or refurbished. For most buyers, an unlocked 256GB model around $425–$500 is the best target—provided it has acceptable battery health, a clean IMEI, no Activation Lock, and a meaningful return policy.
Prices below reflect the July–August 2026 market snapshot and can change with inventory, condition, storage, tax, and shipping.
iPhone 13 Pro Max price guide
Swappa’s July 31, 2026 price data showed listings starting at about $309 and an overall average near $500. The cheapest listing is an entry point, not necessarily a safe or worthwhile purchase.
| Storage | Unlocked market average | Reasonable target | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128GB | About $464 | $400–$475 | Streaming, cloud photos and ordinary use |
| 256GB | About $474 | $425–$500 | Most buyers |
| 512GB | About $513 | $475–$550 | Large photo libraries and 4K video |
| 1TB | About $535 | $500–$600 | Heavy local storage needs |
These are benchmarks, not guaranteed live prices. Storage averages can be distorted by the mix of grades, battery health, colors and seller inventory available on a particular day.
#1 Best Overall
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a refund under the Renewed guarantee if you are not satisfied.
What counts as a good deal?
A $309 phone may be a poor deal if it is carrier-locked, has a heavily worn battery, lacks returns, or contains unauthorized replacement parts. Evaluate listings in this order:
- Total cost, including shipping, tax, activation and any required plan.
- Unlocked status and compatibility with your carrier.
- Battery health and replacement history.
- Return period, warranty and seller reputation.
- Screen, frame, camera-lens and port condition.
- Storage, color and included accessories.
As a practical rule, target an unlocked 256GB phone around $425–$500. Demand a larger discount when battery health is close to the seller’s minimum, the warranty is weak, or the condition is unclear.
Where to buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max
Swappa: best for price discovery
Swappa listings can provide competitive prices and useful comparisons between unlocked, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile devices. It suits buyers willing to examine listing photos, seller history and device details carefully. Confirm the IMEI status and do not assume every listing has the same battery or return terms.
Back Market: stronger marketplace protections
A cited Back Market listing showed an unlocked model at $400 with a 30-day return period and one-year warranty. That price is attractive, but compare the specific seller, cosmetic grade, battery policy and parts disclosure before paying. “Professionally refurbished” does not automatically mean every component is original.
Walmart Restored: convenient, but seller quality matters
A cited Walmart Restored listing showed a 256GB unlocked model at $418.97, a 90-day return period and battery capacity above 80%. The seller rating shown was 3.7/5. An “above 80%” guarantee is broad: it is not equivalent to a 90% or higher battery guarantee.
Rank #2
- Unlocked
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to come with a battery that equals or exceeds 90% of original capacity.
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm’s length. Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- Includes a brand new, generic charging cable that is certified Mfi (Made for iPhone) and a brand new, generic wall plug that is UL certified for performance and safety. Also includes a SIM tray removal tool but does not come with headphones or a SIM card.
- Backed by 1 year satisfaction guarantee as brand new Apple products.
Best Buy: check the checkout price
Best Buy’s refurbished search can be useful for retailer-backed inventory, local pickup and support. However, a displayed promotion in the cited results ended August 6, 2026. Verify the current price and terms at checkout rather than relying on an old sale badge.
Apple Certified Refurbished: safest when available
Apple’s refurbished iPhone page is worth checking if you prioritize Apple’s warranty and refurbishment framework. The surfaced inventory showed newer iPhone 14 and 15 Pro Max models rather than a clearly available iPhone 13 Pro Max, so do not assume Apple has this discontinued model in stock.
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Do not expect normal first-party new inventory. A marketplace listing described as “new” may actually be old stock, imported inventory or a device with an aged battery and limited warranty.
Understand the distinction between:
- New old stock: unused, but possibly stored for years with an aging battery.
- Open-box: previously opened or returned; condition varies.
- Manufacturer-refurbished: refurbished under the manufacturer’s program.
- Professional refurbished: tested or repaired by a marketplace or refurbisher.
- Seller-refurbished, renewed or restored: seller-defined terms with no universal standard.
- Used: sold largely as-is, subject to the seller’s description and protections.
Condition labels such as “Excellent,” “Grade A” and “Like New” are not universal grades. Measurable details matter more than the label.
128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB?
256GB is the value sweet spot for most buyers. In the cited Swappa snapshot, it cost only slightly more than 128GB while doubling capacity. Verify the live price difference because a temporary shortage can reverse that advantage.
Rank #3
- Unlocked
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to come with a battery that equals or exceeds 90% of original capacity.
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm’s length. Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- Includes a brand new, generic charging cable that is certified Mfi (Made for iPhone) and a brand new, generic wall plug that is UL certified for performance and safety. Also includes a SIM tray removal tool but does not come with headphones or a SIM card.
- Backed by 1 year satisfaction guarantee as brand new Apple products.
- 128GB: Suitable if photos are stored in iCloud and you stream most media.
- 256GB: The best general recommendation for long-term everyday use.
- 512GB: Justified for frequent 4K recording, large games or extensive offline media.
- 1TB: Usually poor value unless you have a specific local-storage requirement.
Unlocked versus carrier models
“Carrier unlocked” and “fully unlocked” should not be treated as interchangeable marketing phrases. Ask whether the phone is unlocked now, supports your carrier, is a U.S. model, has the expected physical SIM tray, and supports your desired eSIM or SIM setup.
Also confirm that it is not tied to an unpaid carrier account or financing agreement. A phone that promises to unlock after payment creates unnecessary risk. Swappa’s separate carrier price figures demonstrate that carrier status affects both price and buyer risk.
Battery health is a major part of the price
Ask for a screenshot of Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. Check Maximum Capacity, whether iOS reports “Service,” and whether the battery is original. Also ask for Settings → General → About → Parts and Service History.
A phone near the seller’s minimum battery threshold may need a replacement soon. A low purchase price is less attractive if the replacement cost eliminates the saving. Ask whether a third-party battery was installed and whether an “Important Battery Message” appears.
Are carrier “free iPhone” deals cheaper?
Usually, a carrier promotion is not a discount on an iPhone 13 Pro Max itself. Current promotions generally concern newer iPhones and may require an eligible unlimited plan, trade-in, new line or upgrade, device financing and monthly bill credits for 24–36 months.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Apple’s current store advertised carrier credits of up to $800–$1,100 on a new iPhone after trade-in. That does not mean the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the promotional purchase.
Compare the complete cost:
Unlocked purchase: $400 phone + taxes and service from the carrier of your choice.
Carrier offer: device payments + required plan premium + taxes and activation fees − monthly credits − actual trade-in value.
A carrier deal can make sense if you already want the qualifying plan, will keep the line through the entire credit period and receive a genuinely strong trade-in value. Buying outright is usually better for prepaid users, frequent carrier switchers, international travelers and anyone who dislikes bill-credit lock-in.
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Do not compare only screen size. Compare the complete price of the 13 Pro Max with an iPhone 14 Pro Max, 15 Pro Max, current entry-level iPhone or carrier-subsidized alternative. A newer model may offer a newer battery, better resale value and a longer expected support runway.
Best Value
- Unlocked
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to come with a battery that equals or exceeds 90% of original capacity.
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm’s length. Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- Includes a brand new, generic charging cable that is certified Mfi (Made for iPhone) and a brand new, generic wall plug that is UL certified for performance and safety. Also includes a SIM tray removal tool but does not come with headphones or a SIM card.
- Backed by 1 year satisfaction guarantee as brand new Apple products.
For context, Apple’s surfaced refurbished inventory included examples such as a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB at $759 and an iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB at $1,099. Those are not direct substitutes for a $400 phone, but they show why the 13 Pro Max becomes less compelling as its price approaches newer models.
Inspection checklist for a used or refurbished phone
Before paying
- Get the exact storage capacity, model number and region.
- Request the IMEI or use the marketplace’s safe verification process.
- Request battery Maximum Capacity and Parts and Service History screenshots.
- Confirm Find My iPhone will be disabled and Activation Lock removed.
- Confirm the IMEI is clean and the device is not carrier-financed.
- Review clear photos of the display, frame, camera lenses, charging port and buttons.
- Read the actual warranty, return period and seller feedback.
Immediately after delivery
- Open Settings → General → About and verify model, capacity, IMEI and Carrier Lock.
- Open Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging and check capacity and service warnings.
- Review Settings → General → About → Parts and Service History.
- Enroll and test Face ID.
- Test touch across the full display, brightness, True Tone, dead pixels and discoloration.
- Test every rear camera, the front camera, flash, autofocus, video and microphones.
- Test Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, cellular data, calls, texts and the intended SIM or eSIM.
- Inspect camera glass, screen edges, frame, speakers, buttons and Lightning port.
If a major test fails, photograph or record the problem and start the return process before opening the phone or attempting a repair. Avoid “Wi-Fi only,” “for parts,” MDM-locked, iCloud-locked or no-return listings. Never send payment outside the marketplace.
Who should buy it?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max remains worth considering when you specifically want its large Pro Max design, the phone is fully unlocked, battery health is acceptable, and the price is clearly below comparable newer models. It is especially attractive around the mid-$400s for a clean 256GB refurbished unit with returns and warranty coverage.
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Pass when the price approaches a newer Pro Max, the battery is near 80% without a discount, the phone is locked to an unwanted carrier, replacement parts are undocumented, or the seller offers no practical returns.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: For most U.S. shoppers, an unlocked 256GB iPhone 13 Pro Max in good condition is a fair buy at roughly $425–$500. Prices near $300 may involve important compromises, while prices close to newer iPhones deserve a careful comparison. Check battery health, parts history, Activation Lock, IMEI status, carrier compatibility and return protection before purchasing.
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.
