The iPhone 13 Pro Max, even in 2025, remains one of the most powerful smartphones in the market. Released back in 2021, this flagship model from Apple continues to hold its ground with impressive performance, an extraordinary camera system, and a smooth, fluid user experience. But, just like many of Apple's previous models, the iPhone 13 Pro Max comes packed with hidden features that a lot of users aren't fully utilizing. These features enhance productivity, creativity, and usability.

Exploring Hidden Features of iPhone 13 Pro Max

Mastering Focus Modes for Enhanced Productivity

One of the most powerful, yet underutilized features on the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the Focus Mode. This feature allows you to customize how notifications behave based on your activity or time of day. For example, when you’re working, you can turn on a "Work" focus mode to limit distractions by only allowing important work-related notifications through. Similarly, during personal time or when you’re winding down for the evening, you can switch to a "Personal" or "Sleep" mode that silences most notifications, helping you stay focused on what truly matters. The Focus Mode feature also allows you to hide certain apps and change home screen pages based on your mode, ensuring you only see what’s relevant at any given time.

This feature is essential for those who value productivity and organization. It lets you take control of when and how you engage with your phone, helping to maintain your focus and balance throughout the day. Apple has integrated Focus Modes deeply within iOS, making them easy to set up and customize. While many smartphones offer similar features, Apple’s Focus Mode allows for seamless integration across all devices in the Apple ecosystem. This ensures that your notifications are synchronized across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, creating a unified experience across all your devices.

Leveraging Back Tap for Quick Actions

Another hidden gem on the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the Back Tap functionality. This feature lets you assign actions to a double or triple tap on the back of your device. It can be used for a variety of functions, from taking a screenshot to activating Siri or opening specific apps. For instance, you can set up the double-tap gesture to instantly open your favorite app, or use the triple-tap feature to take a screenshot without needing to press any physical buttons.

The ability to trigger such actions with a simple tap on the back of your iPhone might seem like a small convenience, but it makes a huge difference in everyday use. It allows you to interact with your phone more efficiently and saves you from navigating through menus or reaching for buttons, which can be especially helpful when you're multitasking. While similar features are available on some Android devices, Apple's Back Tap is highly customizable and well-integrated into the system, providing a seamless experience across all apps and functions.

Utilizing the Hidden Trackpad Functionality

The iPhone 13 Pro Max also offers a hidden trackpad functionality that many users don't take full advantage of. This feature allows you to control the cursor with greater precision, especially useful when editing text. To activate the trackpad, simply press and hold the spacebar on the keyboard. The keys will disappear, and your finger will transform into a cursor that can move through text with extreme accuracy.

This functionality is incredibly useful when you're composing emails, messages, or documents and need to navigate through text quickly and precisely. Rather than moving your finger over the screen and struggling to place the cursor exactly where you need it, the trackpad feature gives you pinpoint control. This small but powerful feature enhances the user experience, particularly for those who type or edit text frequently on their device.

Enhancing Photos with Hidden Editing Tools

While the iPhone 13 Pro Max is already known for its exceptional camera system, there are also hidden editing tools within the Photos app that can help you take your photos to the next level. For example, the iPhone offers a wide array of advanced editing tools such as the ability to adjust the depth of field, fine-tune the lighting, and apply filters to individual parts of a photo. Additionally, the "Photo Editor" feature allows you to remove or adjust specific elements in a photo, such as unwanted objects or blemishes, with impressive accuracy.

One of the most significant tools is the ability to use AI-based adjustments to enhance your photos automatically. This includes features like Smart HDR and Deep Fusion, which combine multiple images to create a single photo with enhanced detail and color accuracy. The iPhone 13 Pro Max's powerful camera system, combined with these editing tools, gives users the ability to produce professional-quality photos with minimal effort. This makes it a perfect device for both amateur photographers and seasoned professionals looking for a portable solution to their photography needs.

Using Siri Shortcuts for Automating Tasks

Siri Shortcuts is another feature that can significantly improve your productivity and automate various tasks on your iPhone 13 Pro Max. Siri Shortcuts allow you to create custom voice commands or automations that can execute a series of actions with a single command. For example, you can set up a shortcut to send a message to a loved one, turn off your smart home devices, or start a playlist, all with a single voice command.

This feature is incredibly powerful for users who want to save time and streamline their daily tasks. It also integrates seamlessly with many third-party apps, allowing for even greater customization and flexibility. Siri Shortcuts are easy to set up and can be tailored to fit your specific needs, whether you want to automate your commute, manage your schedule, or control smart home devices.

Exploring the Measure App for Everyday Measurements

The iPhone 13 Pro Max includes a hidden utility that can be incredibly useful in everyday situations: the Measure app. This app uses the phone's camera and sensors to take measurements of objects in the real world. It can measure the length, width, and height of objects, as well as the distance between two points. It even has a level tool that can help you ensure surfaces are perfectly horizontal or vertical.

For those who frequently need to measure things in their daily lives, the Measure app provides a convenient and accurate solution. It’s great for a wide range of applications, from measuring furniture for a new home setup to checking the dimensions of a space before buying something. The app’s integration with the iPhone's camera allows for easy, real-time measurements, making it a powerful tool for both professionals and casual users.

Setting Up Custom App Icons for a Personalized Home Screen

Customization is a key aspect of the iPhone experience, and one feature that allows you to personalize your device even further is the ability to set custom app icons. Using the Shortcuts app, you can create personalized icons for your apps, changing the way your home screen looks and feels. Whether you want to match your device’s aesthetic or just make your apps stand out, custom icons are a fun and easy way to personalize your iPhone 13 Pro Max.

While the process may take a little bit of time, it allows for complete creative control over how your home screen appears. This feature is particularly popular for those who enjoy expressing their individuality and want a unique, stylized look for their phone.

Improving Battery Life with Optimized Settings

The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes with several features designed to help you extend battery life, even as your device ages. One of the most effective features is the Battery Health option, which allows you to monitor the overall health of your battery and make adjustments to preserve its lifespan. You can also enable Low Power Mode, which reduces power consumption by limiting certain background activities and visual effects.

Additionally, iOS includes advanced power management settings like Optimized Battery Charging, which reduces wear on your battery by learning your charging routine and adjusting the charging speed accordingly. By leveraging these settings, you can ensure that your iPhone 13 Pro Max stays powered throughout the day without needing to constantly recharge.

Managing Notifications Effectively

Over time, notifications can become overwhelming, distracting you from the tasks that matter most. The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers robust tools to manage notifications more effectively. You can customize how and when you receive notifications, group them by app, and even choose whether or not a notification shows on the lock screen. Additionally, the Focus Mode (mentioned earlier) can help silence non-urgent notifications at specific times, allowing you to focus on what’s most important.

With these settings, you can regain control over your device and ensure that it only alerts you when necessary, rather than bombarding you with constant interruptions. This can be especially helpful for those who value peace of mind and want to maintain a sense of calm throughout their day.

Discovering Accessibility Features for a Tailored Experience

For those with specific accessibility needs, the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a range of powerful features designed to make the device more usable. These include VoiceOver (screen reader), magnification, and the ability to customize text size and contrast. Additionally, there are audio options that allow users to tailor the sound experience to their hearing preferences, including mono audio and hearing aid compatibility.

These accessibility features are built into iOS and are highly customizable to ensure that all users, regardless of ability, can make the most out of their device. Apple’s commitment to accessibility ensures that everyone has the tools they need to use the iPhone 13 Pro Max in a way that’s most comfortable for them.

Comparison with Other Models

The iPhone 13 Pro Max still holds its ground in 2025, especially when compared with newer models and competitor devices. It continues to offer a well-rounded and powerful experience, even as new features and advancements emerge in the smartphone world.

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max

While the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces several new features, such as USB-C charging and improved camera capabilities, the iPhone 13 Pro Max still offers a compelling package. The performance of the A15 Bionic chip is more than enough for everyday tasks, and the camera system, while not the newest, remains excellent. Plus, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is available at a more affordable price point, making it a great choice for those who want flagship performance without the premium cost.

iPhone 13 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S25

When compared to Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy S25, the iPhone 13 Pro Max stands out with its seamless integration of hardware and software. While the Galaxy S25 offers an impressive screen and camera system, the iPhone’s software, ecosystem, and focus on privacy make it the superior option for users who want a polished, intuitive experience.

Conclusion

In 2025, the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains one of the best smartphones on the market. Its powerful features, such as Focus Modes, Siri Shortcuts, Back Tap, and advanced camera editing tools, ensure that it continues to meet the demands of today’s users. Whether you’re an Australian professional looking to increase productivity, a photography enthusiast seeking top-tier photo quality, or a customization lover wanting a personalized experience, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has something to offer.

If you’re in Australia and looking for an iPhone 13 Pro Max, Wise Market Australia offers competitive prices, fast shipping, and excellent customer service. Get in touch with us today to experience the power of the iPhone 13 Pro Max and unlock its full potential.