Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)
Both are good choices with different strengths. The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is lighter and is more compact, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch lasts longer on a charge, has a bigger screen and has a sharper screen.
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Key differences
- Battery life Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch should last longer on a charge: it has a 99.8 Wh battery against 58 Wh.
- Weight Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is 0.6 kg lighter: 1.4 kg against 2 kg.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has the bigger screen (16" against 13.3"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is more compact.
- Sharpness Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch's screen is sharper: 3K against 2.5K.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch if…
- You'll carry it every day: at 1.4 kg it's easy to take everywhere.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 13.3-inch screen.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2020.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- You want more room to work: its 16-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 3K screen makes text and images crisper.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch leads on the screen; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Both laptops are very close on performance.
Their processors are in the same class: both are smooth with lots of apps and tabs open, and both have 16 GB of memory.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 | Intel Core i7-9750H |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M + Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics memory | — | 4 GB |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X-3733 onboard | DDR4-2666 |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has the bigger screen (16" against 13.3"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is more compact. The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is more compact, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has a bigger screen and has a sharper screen.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.3" | 16" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | 3K (3072 x 1920) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | — |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is lighter, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch lasts longer on a charge.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10 hours | — |
| Battery capacity | 58 Wh | 99.8 Wh |
| Charger | 61 W | 96 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 2 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 212.4 x 15.6 mm | 357.9 x 245.9 x 16.2 mm |
| Materials | recyclable low-carbon aluminium enclosure | — |
| Colour | Space Grey | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Silver, Space Grey | Silver, Space Gray |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is ahead on ports and wireless.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C; all four charge, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 4x Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s | Thunderbolt 3 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 4 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p FaceTime HD | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 66-key ISO layout; Touch Bar; ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 65 (US) / 66 (ISO) keys, inverted-T arrows, Touch Bar, ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | Force Touch trackpad (pressure-sensing, Force clicks, Multi-Touch) |
| Speakers | stereo speakers with high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos playback | Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | — |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MWP42B/A | — |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 |