1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2019-09-20 | 2024-04-29 | The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is significantly newer, benefitting from newer tech and design trends. |
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm | 162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | The Huawei is taller and slightly thicker; the Apple is wider. May impact hand feel and pocketability. |
| Weight | 226g | 226g | Both phones have similar weight, so feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | The Huawei offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1260x2844 | The Huawei has a higher resolution for sharper image and text rendering. |
| Pixel Density | 458 PPI | 460 PPI | Both have very similar sharpness, so you will not see a difference. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both phones use OLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Huawei offers much smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience much more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | The Huawei's screen is significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Different chipsets; the Apple A13 is older, the Kirin 9010 is newer, but benchmarking suggests similar performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 869,707 | The Apple scores slightly higher, indicating marginally better raw performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Maleoon 910 (8-core) | Different GPUs; The Huawei has more cores but may not translate to higher real world gaming performance; performance differences may exist between apps due to specific optimisations. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 5200mAh | Huawei has a much larger battery, potentially leading to significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 100W fast charging | The Huawei charges much faster, reducing downtime, and offers much more advanced charging capabilities. |
| Features | 18W Fast, Wireless reverse | 100W Fast, 80W Wireless, 20W Reverse Wireless | The Huawei has significantly faster wired and wireless charging, and more comprehensive wireless charging features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" | Huawei's camera has higher resolution, larger sensor for better low-light photos, and a wider aperture for shallower depth of field. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/2.1 (Telephoto Lens) | The Huawei has dedicated Telephoto lens; the Apple has a secondary lens for portrait; both will provide optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" | The Huawei has a much higher resolution wide-angle lens for more detailed landscape shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 13MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar selfie camera setups and resolution. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 4K | Both have 4K video recording, but the Apple offers different frame rates. |
| DxoMark Mobile | 122 (Main) | 163 (Main) | The Huawei has a significantly higher camera performance rating according to DXoMark, but Apple excels in video/selfie |
| Features | OIS, Autofocus, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | OIS, Digital Image Stabilisation, Phase Detection AF, Laser AF, etc. | Both have full suites of camera features; the Huawei has additional advanced autofocus and image stabilisation. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 (upgradable to 18) | Unknown | Different operating systems, iOS offers a more refined ecosystem; the Huawei's operating system and its limitations are unknown (due to missing specs). |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have similar Wi-Fi standards, the Huawei adds support for direct and display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version, supporting more modern audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | The Huawei has a more comprehensive GPS for enhanced location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Both have dual SIM, Apple adds the flexibility of an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/256/512GB | 512/1024GB | The Huawei has larger storage options, and no smaller storage options, important if you store media directly on your device. |
| RAM | 4GB | 16GB | The Huawei has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation Mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Apple includes a dedicated noise cancellation mic. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Fingerprint sensor | The Huawei adds fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Huawei has a more comprehensive sensor suite, important for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Mature Ecosystem: iOS is a well-established, refined operating system with strong app compatibility.
- Marginally Better Performance: Slightly higher benchmark scores may translate to snappier performance with some applications.
- eSIM Support: Added flexibility for travel or multiple lines.
- Better Video/Selfie Camera Performance: Better performance in the video and selfie camera department.
Practical Implications:
- Users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, who require app compatibility, and prefer iOS, will find the iPhone more comfortable.
- The iPhone might slightly edge out the Huawei in raw application performance.
- eSIM is useful for frequent travelers or users who need multiple cellular accounts without the need for physical SIM changes.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Newer Technology: The phone benefits from 5 years of technological advancements over the Apple iPhone.
- Superior Display: Higher refresh rate, higher brightness for a smoother and more visible experience.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 100W wired and 80W wireless charging are incredibly convenient.
- Larger Battery: A larger capacity offers potentially longer battery life, especially if you are a heavy user.
- Better Camera System: Overall much better camera hardware and DXoMark score.
- More RAM: 16GB RAM is excellent for heavy multitasking and smooth gaming.
- Larger Storage: Storage options up to 1TB, important if you are a media user.
- More Comprehensive GPS: Better location accuracy and capabilities for various use cases.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Advanced sensors for gaming.
Practical Implications:
- Users who prioritize display quality, battery life, and fast charging will find the Huawei a more compelling device.
- The larger battery is a boon for heavy users and those on the go, reducing anxiety about running out of power.
- The superior camera system is suitable for people who take photos regularly and want an excellent quality.
- The additional RAM will enable smoother operation when using multiple apps, gaming, and using heavy applications.
- The larger storage is excellent for storing large files, videos, photos, and applications, without the need to offload to cloud services or other devices.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Apple: Older hardware technology, slower charging, smaller battery, less RAM, and less storage.
- Huawei: The operating system and its limitations are unknown, may not have access to the google play store for application installs, and may not perform as well in some applications due to specific optimisations.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Users who are already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and are familiar with iOS.
- Users who require a stable and well-established operating system with guaranteed application compatibility.
- Users who prioritise good video and selfie camera results.
- Users who don't require top-tier charging and battery capabilities.
- Users who are less bothered by having less RAM or less internal storage.
Use Cases:
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices (Mac, iPad, Apple Watch).
- Users who rely on specific apps that are optimized for iOS.
- Users who mostly use the phone for daily communication, light browsing, social media and good quality selfies/videos.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Ideal User:
- Users who value display quality, battery life, and fast charging above all else.
- Users who want the best possible camera system on a smartphone.
- Users who are open to exploring other operating systems besides iOS.
- Users who want a modern smartphone with the latest tech.
- Users who need plenty of RAM for multitasking and plenty of storage for storing media.
Use Cases:
- Heavy media consumption (videos, games, high-quality photos).
- Users who are regularly away from chargers and require long battery life.
- Mobile photographers and videographers who want the best hardware available.
- Users who are power users, frequently using many applications concurrently.
- Users who store large amounts of media on their device.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, being an older model, is likely to be cheaper than the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
- The Huawei, although potentially more expensive, offers significantly better specifications and newer technology.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Operating System Preference: Do you prefer iOS and the Apple ecosystem, or are you open to other operating systems?
- Priorities: Do you prioritise battery life and charging speed, or a more stable, app-rich ecosystem, and superior selfie/video camera performance?
- Camera Quality: Is excellent camera hardware a priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Apple Ecosystem User: If you are deeply invested in Apple products, the iPhone is likely the better choice due to its seamless integration and mature ecosystem.
- Scenario 2: Power User: If you are a power user and want the best hardware, display, battery, and charging performance the Huawei is a clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you're focused on mobile photography and want a versatile and powerful camera system, the Huawei is the clear choice.
- Scenario 4: Price Conscious Buyer: If you are on a budget, the older iPhone may be a better choice.
- Scenario 5: Future Proofing: If you want a phone that is more future proof, the newer Huawei device is a better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
My Reasoning:
While I appreciate the stability and mature ecosystem of iOS, the sheer advancements in hardware, particularly the display, battery, charging speed, camera system, and RAM of the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra are too compelling to ignore.
Display Quality: As someone who consumes a lot of media on my phone, the 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness of the Huawei's display are a significant upgrade over the older iPhone's 60Hz display.
Battery and Charging: The larger battery and much faster charging mean I wouldn't have to worry about running out of power, even with heavy usage.
Camera Performance: The significantly upgraded camera system on the Huawei would allow me to take more compelling photos in a wider range of scenarios.
RAM: The increased amount of RAM on the Huawei would allow me to perform more tasks simultaneously without performance degradation.
Future Proofing: As the newer phone, it would likely have software support for longer and would be better equipped for future use cases.
While the potential limitations of the Huawei's operating system are a consideration, the hardware advantages are so significant that I believe the overall user experience would be far better than with the iPhone 11 Pro Max for my needs.
