Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs Huawei nova 9 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Huawei nova 9
Huawei nova 9
Huawei

General

Launch Date September 20, 2019 September 30, 2021
Release Year 2019 2021

Physical

Volume 99.57 cm³ 91.98 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.88 "/g 3.75 "/g
Weight 226 g 175 g
Height 158 mm 160 mm
Width 77.8 mm 73.7 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Matte Space Gray
  • Matte Silver
  • Matte Gold
  • Matte Midnight Green
  • Black
  • Green
  • Violet
  • Starry Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.57 "
Resolution 1242 x 2688 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.4 % 89.9 %
Pixel Density 458 PPI 392 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 93.94 mAh/in² 99.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.86 mAh/cm³ 46.75 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3969 mAh 4300 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 642L

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS N/A
Initial OS Version 13 N/A
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive into a user-focused comparison of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and the Huawei nova 9. Instead of just listing specs, we're going to explore what these numbers mean for you, the user.

1. Design and Usability Assessment

Feature CategoryApple iPhone 11 Pro MaxHuawei nova 9User Experience Impact
Interface DesignClassic iOS, familiar grid of icons, known for its simplicity and intuitive navigation.EMUI (based on Android), sleek and modern interface, offers more customization options.iPhone: Consistent and easy to learn, great for those in the Apple ecosystem. Huawei: More flexibility for those who enjoy personalizing their phone.
Interaction FlowGesture-based navigation, generally fluid, but requires some learning for new users.Gesture-based navigation, some unique EMUI specific gestures.Both: Intuitive, but may have a slight learning curve if you're switching ecosystems.
Accessibility FeaturesRobust suite, including VoiceOver, zoom, and closed captions, caters to diverse needs.Offers similar suite of accessibility features.Both: Good accessibility, but each has its unique implementation style, will depend on personal preference
Design ErgonomicsLarger, heavier phone, may be difficult for smaller hands.Slimmer and lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use.iPhone: Better for watching media and a more secure grip, but slightly less comfortable in smaller hands. Huawei: Ergonomically, easier to handle due to lower weight and slimmer profile, great for daily usage.
Build QualityPremium build, feels very durable, and more water resistant.Premium build with smooth finish and good grip.Both: Both have a premium feel and look and will be pleasing to the eye.

2. Narrative-Driven Feature Exploration

The Tale of Two Screens

Imagine you're on a bright, sunny day at the beach. You pull out your phone to capture the beautiful scenery. Here's where the screens of these phones tell different stories.

iPhone 11 Pro Max: Its 1200 nits brightness cuts through the glare like a lighthouse, allowing you to see every detail of your photos and videos. The vivid colors pop, making every memory a visual masterpiece. It's a cinema-quality display in your pocket. While the refresh rate might be 60Hz, the quality of this display at peak brightness is what stands out.

Huawei nova 9: With its vibrant OLED and 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling is buttery smooth – like gliding your finger over silk. It's especially good for social media surfing and fast-paced gaming and delivers a great viewing experience indoors.

User Experience Focus: The iPhone 11 Pro Max excels in bright conditions, making it the ideal companion for outdoor adventures and ensuring your screen is clearly visible. The Huawei nova 9 makes social media and mobile gaming smoother.

The Power of the Processor

Let’s say you're a gamer and a student, using your phone all day long to switch between intensive games and studying using your apps. How do these two phones perform?

iPhone 11 Pro Max: The Apple A13 Bionic chip works seamlessly and effortlessly. Apps load instantly, games run smoothly, and multitasking becomes second nature. The phone doesn't break a sweat.

Huawei nova 9: The Snapdragon 778G 4G processor is still very capable for everyday tasks and some gaming and delivers a smooth user experience for most users. The 8GB of RAM is also great for users who like multitasking.

User Experience Focus: The iPhone 11 Pro Max provides an ultra-smooth, high performance experience for demanding users who like to do a lot of tasks on their phone and enjoy mobile gaming. The Huawei nova 9 provides a fluid experience for everyday tasks and most mid range mobile gaming.

Capturing Moments with the Camera

Picture this: You're at a concert, trying to capture the energy of the night. How do these cameras perform?

iPhone 11 Pro Max: It captures rich, vivid photos with its triple lens setup with a versatile zoom capability. The video recording is top notch with options to record in 4k at 60 fps, ideal for content creators.

Huawei nova 9: Its 50 MP main sensor captures highly detailed pictures, the ultrawide lens is good for landscape photography and the macro lens is useful for capturing extreme closeups.

User Experience Focus: The iPhone 11 Pro Max excels in photography and video recording with superior video capture. The Huawei nova 9 provides versatility with additional camera lenses and high-resolution imaging.

3. Inclusive Technology Evaluation

  • Tech Novices: The iPhone 11 Pro Max with its intuitive iOS is easier to pick up and use immediately.
  • Power Users: The iPhone 11 Pro Max's performance is for those who need top tier performance, while Huawei’s higher RAM is beneficial for multitasking.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Both phones offer great capabilities, but with differing styles. The iPhone prioritizes video, while the Huawei provides more options.
  • Budget-Conscious Users: The Huawei nova 9 is more accessible due to its lower price point.

4. Design-Centric Decision Framework

FeatureiPhone 11 Pro MaxHuawei nova 9User Insight
ScreenBrighter (1200 nits), 60HzSmoother 120Hz refresh rateiPhone: Excellent in bright sunlight. Huawei: Better for smooth scrolling and gaming.
PerformancePowerful A13 BionicCapable Snapdragon 778G 4GiPhone: Superior for intensive tasks and gaming. Huawei: Great for everyday use.
CameraTop tier video recording, versatile zoom.High-resolution imaging with different lenses.iPhone: For video enthusiasts and high quality imagery. Huawei: Versatile for different photography styles.
BatterySlightly smaller, 18W fast chargingLarger battery, 66W fast chargingiPhone: Decent battery, slower charging. Huawei: Slightly better battery, very fast charging.
DesignLarger and HeavierSlimmer and LighteriPhone: Best screen experience. Huawei: Comfortable to hold.

My Choice:

For me, the iPhone 11 Pro Max would be my go-to device. Its superior screen brightness and higher performance capabilities align more with my priorities. As someone who takes a lot of photos and videos in different environments, the iPhone’s camera quality and smooth video are a game-changer, especially when it comes to video. I also enjoy the seamless user experience of iOS, especially when it comes to consistent design.

The Huawei nova 9 is an excellent device, especially for its price point, offering a smooth and customizable user experience and being great for social media and casual gamers. The 66W fast charging is also something I would enjoy!

Ultimately, it boils down to what is most important to you in a mobile experience.

Sophia Rodriguez
Sophia Rodriguez

Technology Communications Specialist

Expert in transforming complex technological innovations into accessible, engaging narratives.

Key Strengths:

  • Technology storytelling
  • User experience design analysis
  • Inclusive technology communication
  • Design-driven technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with human-centered understanding.