1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | iPhone is wider, Huawei is slightly thicker. iPhone may feel less comfortable for single-handed use for those with smaller hands |
| Weight | 226g | 195g | Huawei P50 Pro is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use and pocketability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Minimal difference, negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1228x2700 | Almost identical, both provide sharp images. |
| PPI | 458 | 450 | Near identical pixel density, both offer very crisp visuals. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei P50 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience especially in games and fast-moving content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | Data missing for Huawei P50 Pro brightness. iPhone 11 Pro Max excels in outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Different architectures; Apple A13 Bionic benchmarks higher and offers a more responsive experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 697,566 | iPhone 11 Pro Max is noticeably faster in benchmarks, translates to slightly smoother app loading and operation. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G78 MP24 | Different graphics units; real world gaming performance difference is hard to tell without specific game benchmarks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 4360mAh | Huawei P50 Pro has slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer battery life |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Huawei P50 Pro charges much faster, convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Charging Features | 18W Fast, Wireless reverse charging | 66W Fast, 50W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | Huawei offers faster wired and wireless charging |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | Huawei captures more detailed images due to higher resolution and a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | 64MP f/3.4, 1/2" 0.70 µm | Huawei has a dedicated telephoto lens for superior zoom capabilities, the Apple one is combined with Portrait |
| Wide Angle | 12MP f/2.4 | 13MP f/2.2 1/3.06", 1.12µm | Huawei offers a wide angle lens with macro capabilities |
| Black & White | Not present | 40MP, f/1.6, 1/1.7", 1.0µm | Huawei P50 Pro includes a dedicated black and white sensor, potentially offering better monochrome image quality and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 13MP f/2.4 | Similar selfie quality with a slight edge in resolution for the Huawei. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both record high-quality video, with Huawei offering more slow-motion options, while missing HDR |
| DxOMark Mobile | 122 | 143 | Huawei P50 Pro significantly outperforms the iPhone 11 Pro Max in camera performance, according to DxOMark scores. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 122 | 144 | Huawei P50 Pro significantly outperforms the iPhone 11 Pro Max in selfie performance, according to DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, OIS | Quadruple Camera, OIS, Laser AF | Huawei includes more advanced autofocus and optical zoom capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 | No OS Specified | Different operating systems. iOS 13 is a mature and stable system |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Both support fast Wi-Fi but Huawei offers added features like WiFi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 | Huawei has a newer version, potentially with more efficient and stable connections and added codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei offers more accurate positioning using more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | iPhone offers eSIM option for easier switching, both offer Dual Sim functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both phones have ample storage capacity options with similar max |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12 GB | Huawei has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking, especially on the higher end models |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | iPhone has an additional Noise cancellation microphone |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic security features | Fingerprint Sensor | Huawei includes a fingerprint sensor for easier unlock and authentication |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones are using similar screen protection technologies |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Huawei has a more advanced sensor array. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: The A13 Bionic chip offers higher benchmark scores, translating to a very snappy and responsive user experience.
- Guaranteed Software Updates: Known for consistent and timely software updates, it has a clear software support path.
- HDR video: iPhone video features HDR, while the Huawei doesn't.
Practical Implications: The iPhone is great for users who prioritize raw performance, seamless operation and long term software support.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: The P50 Pro has a higher resolution main sensor, a dedicated telephoto lens, and a black and white sensor with much better DxOMark scores. It has more features such as PDAF, laser autofocus, a macro lens, and more.
- Faster Charging: Much faster wired and wireless charging speeds.
- Higher Refresh Rate: A smoother display experience with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Larger RAM: 8GB or 12GB of RAM offers better multitasking.
- Advanced Connectivity: More satellite systems for GPS, and added features for WiFi
- Fingerprint Sensor: Faster unlock and added security.
Practical Implications: The P50 Pro is a better choice for photography enthusiasts who need top-tier camera capabilities and those who prioritize a smooth user interface and battery charging.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone sacrifices some camera versatility and faster charging speeds for raw speed and guaranteed software updates.
- The Huawei lacks the same level of raw processing power compared to the iPhone and its software future is unclear, though it has a much more versatile camera setup and faster charging.
- Huawei P50 Pro brightness is not provided, which can be a crucial trade-off for people using their phones outside.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those already invested in Apple products and services.
- Performance-Focused Users: Gamers and power users who need a fast and responsive device.
- Long-Term Support Seekers: Those who want reliable software updates for years to come.
- Reliable Video Users: Those who need to record high quality HDR video
Use Cases for iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- High-end gaming and demanding applications.
- Smooth and reliable daily use with seamless Apple ecosystem integration.
- Reliable video recording with HDR
Ideal Users for Huawei P50 Pro:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a top-tier camera system with versatile options.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy smooth display and fast charging.
- Multi-taskers: Those who need to juggle multiple applications at once.
Use Cases for Huawei P50 Pro:
- High-quality photography and videography in various scenarios.
- Smooth gaming experience with a 120Hz refresh rate display.
- Fast battery top-ups for users who don't want to wait too long.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max might be cheaper on the secondary market, but is older.
- The Huawei P50 Pro offers a more modern design, camera, and features but may be a bit more expensive.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I prioritize raw performance or camera versatility? (iPhone for performance, Huawei for camera)
- Is a guaranteed long-term software support important to me? (iPhone is a better choice)
- How crucial is fast charging and a smooth display to my needs? (Huawei is a better choice)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Casual Users: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is still a great performer that will handle daily usage well with a good camera. The Huawei is more advanced but has less predictable long term software.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: The Huawei P50 Pro's superior camera system makes it a clear winner.
- For Power Users: The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a more powerful processing for demanding apps, while Huawei offers more ram for multitasking.
- For Gamers: The iPhone offers slightly better performance, but both devices offer similar gameplay.
My Choice
If I were making this choice, I would choose the Huawei P50 Pro. Although the iPhone has the edge in processor performance, the Huawei offers a more compelling package overall. The faster charging, superior camera system, the 120Hz display, extra sensors and the larger RAM are all features that I value more. Although the software situation is unclear, this can be navigated through third party applications and updates. The biggest caveat is that the brightness of the Huawei screen is unknown, which is a crucial part of a smartphone, if this turns out to be severely low, I would revert to the iPhone.
