Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2019-09-20 | 2022-07-27 | Huawei is significantly newer, potentially offering longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Huawei is taller and slightly thicker, while the iPhone is wider. |
| Weight | 226g | 195g | Huawei is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Huawei offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2388 | iPhone has a much sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 391 | iPhone has noticeably crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone's OLED offers richer blacks, higher contrast, and potentially better color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei's display has a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone has vastly superior outdoor visibility, essential for sunny conditions. Huawei's brightness is unknown, which is a significant drawback. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | iPhone's chip is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 249,000 | iPhone demonstrates a very high performance advantage (3.6 times higher score), indicating significant speed and responsiveness advantages. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 | iPhone's GPU provides superior graphics performance, critical for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei's larger battery could result in longer battery life, depending on usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Huawei charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Fast charge 18W, Wireless reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | iPhone offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, whereas Huawei focuses on faster wired charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm | Huawei captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions due to higher MP count and lower pixel size. The iPhone captures more light in dark conditions due to larger pixels and better low-light performance thanks to OLED and software processing.. |
| Rear Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | N/A | iPhone offers an optical zoom for capturing more details at a distance. |
| Front (Selfie) | 12MP | 8MP, f/2.0 | iPhone has a higher resolution selfie camera, potentially capturing more details. |
| Rear Wide-Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | N/A | iPhone's wide-angle lens allows for capturing wider scenes, beneficial for group photos and landscapes. |
| Secondary Rear | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei includes a secondary camera which is most likely a macro or depth sensor. |
| Tertiary Rear | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei includes a tertiary camera which is most likely a macro or depth sensor. |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | iPhone records much higher-quality video, including 4K and high frame rates for smooth footage. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 122 | Not Tested | iPhone has a tested, well-performing camera. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | PDAF, Panorama | iPhone provides more advanced features including optical image stabilization, RAW image capture and night mode. Huawei includes Phase Detection Autofocus and Panorama features |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13, Max version: 18 | Android, version unknown | iPhone offers the latest version of iOS. Huawei's Android version is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | iPhone's Wi-Fi 6 offers faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE, EDR | Huawei includes EDR for slightly faster Bluetooth data rates. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei has support for more satellite systems potentially for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | iPhone has an eSIM, allowing for additional flexibility in SIM management. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/256/512GB | 128GB | iPhone provides a much more flexible storage solution with higher capacity options. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Huawei offers more RAM options for improved multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Basic | iPhone has higher quality audio with a focus on immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei has a fingerprint sensor, providing better security and a more convienent unlocking option. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The iPhone includes additional environmental sensors, while the Huawei includes additional biometric sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A13 Bionic chip delivers significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. This results in a more responsive and fluid overall user experience.
- Higher Quality Display: The OLED display offers much better contrast, deeper blacks, and higher brightness, which is a crucial difference for outdoor visibility. The higher pixel density leads to sharper text and images.
- Advanced Camera System: The iPhone includes a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, 4K video recording, optical image stabilization (OIS), and RAW image capture support that offer a much more flexible and capable camera system.
- Enhanced Audio: The iPhone's Dolby Atmos support provides a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone.
- Software Ecosystem: The iPhone operates on iOS which provides a consistent user experience, timely updates, and better app ecosystem.
- Build Quality: The iPhone has a better build quality using high-quality materials, which provides better durability.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Longer Battery Life: The 5000 mAh battery has the potential to offer longer usage times.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging allows for much quicker battery replenishment.
- Newer Device: Being newer, it may offer longer software support (though, the software is not specified).
- Lighter Weight: The lighter weight makes it more comfortable to hold and use over extended periods.
- 90hz Refresh Rate: Provides slightly smoother scrolling.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides convenient and secure unlocking.
- Additional Camera Sensors: Additional 2MP sensors are likely used for better depth or macro photography.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone: Significantly more expensive, heavier, and shorter battery life.
- Huawei: Much lower performance, inferior display and camera technology, software is unknown.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Professional Photographers and Videographers: Benefit from the advanced camera system, 4K recording, RAW capture, and optical stabilization.
- Power Users: Those who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and running demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-quality displays for watching videos and viewing photos.
- Ecosystem Users: People already invested in the Apple ecosystem who prioritize seamless integration.
- Users who prefer high build quality and longevity: Those looking for a phone that is built to last.
Use Cases for iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Professional photography and videography
- High-performance gaming and graphic-intensive applications
- Enjoying high-quality media in bright environments
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
- Long-term use due to high build quality and longevity
Ideal Users for Huawei nova Y90:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a capable phone at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phones for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: People who need their phone to last all day without frequent charging.
- Users who prioritize comfort: Those who prefer a lighter phone.
- Users who need faster charging: Those who want to spend less time plugged into a charger.
Use Cases for Huawei nova Y90:
- Basic daily tasks like social media, browsing, and messaging.
- Extended use without needing to frequently charge the phone.
- Users needing a reliable camera with a high resolution sensor for basic image capture.
- Users who want a device with a fingerprint sensor for quick and easy unlocking.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Photography, gaming, general usage, battery life)
- What is your budget? (iPhone is significantly more expensive)
- How important is display quality and outdoor visibility to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For High-Performance and Photography Enthusiasts: If top-tier performance, advanced camera features, and a premium display are essential, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the clear choice, provided that budget is not a major limitation.
- For Budget-Conscious Users Prioritizing Battery and Weight: If a longer battery life, lighter weight, and faster charging are more important than high-end performance and the best display, the Huawei nova Y90 is a good choice.
- For Everyday Users: The Huawei nova Y90 is recommended for users who are not heavy power users and want an adequate phone experience with long battery life.
My Choice
I would choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max.
While the Huawei nova Y90 offers a few advantages like a larger battery and faster charging, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the superior device in almost every other metric that is important to me. The significantly better performance, higher quality display, and significantly more advanced camera system are key factors. The superior performance ensures that the phone will remain fast and responsive for several years. The significantly better display is important for media consumption and content creation. Finally, the more powerful camera and video capabilities makes it suitable for various purposes. Although the iPhone is more expensive, the overall experience justifies the higher price for my personal needs.
