Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Nokia G10
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2019-09-20 | 2021-04-26 | The Nokia G10 is significantly newer (almost 2 years), potentially benefiting from newer software and features. |
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 164.9 × 76 × 9.2 mm | The Nokia G10 is taller and thicker, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max is wider. The G10 has a larger overall volume. The iPhone may feel more pocketable and the G10 slightly more unwieldy |
| Weight | 226g | 194g | The Nokia G10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.52" | Virtually identical screen size; negligible practical difference. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 720x1600 | The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a much sharper and clearer display, with significantly more pixels. This is noticeable in text clarity and detail in images and video. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 269 | The iPhone's higher PPI means finer details and smoother text, enhancing overall visual quality. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | OLED on the iPhone provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the LCD on the Nokia. This is noticeable when viewing high contrast images or videos. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits (Unspecified) | The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a much brighter display, making it significantly easier to view in bright sunlight. The G10 display brightness is unknown, but without specified nits it will struggle in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both offer the same standard refresh rate, providing a similar scrolling and animation experience |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | The A13 Bionic offers vastly superior performance, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. The Helio G25 is more basic. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 102,700 | The iPhone 11 Pro Max scores significantly higher, demonstrating its superior performance for demanding tasks. The G10 is geared more towards basic tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | PowerVR GE8320 | The Apple GPU in the iPhone offers significantly better graphics processing power, resulting in better gaming and video editing capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969 mAh | 5050 mAh | The Nokia G10 has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering better battery life. Actual endurance depends on software and usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | The iPhone 11 Pro Max charges faster than the G10 using its included 18W charging, but the battery is smaller. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, Fast Charge 18W, Wireless reverse charging | Non-removable | The iPhone offers wireless reverse charging, a notable convenience feature and faster charging. The G10 lacks these features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55" | 13MP, f/2.2 | The iPhone has a wider aperture for better low light performance. The sensor on the iPhone is known to be superior. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 12MP, f/2.0 | None | The iPhone has a dedicated telephoto lens allowing for optical zoom. The Nokia must use digital zoom which reduces image quality |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | The iPhone has an ultrawide angle lens, allowing for more creative, wider shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 8MP | The iPhone captures higher resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP | The G10 includes a dedicated depth sensor, which helps improve portrait effect accuracy. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | The G10 allows users to capture close-up photos with its macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | The iPhone records higher resolution video with more frame rate options and HDR. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 4K Video, RAW, Night Mode | Panorama, HDR | The iPhone includes OIS and a more robust feature set allowing for greater creative control. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 122, Selfie: 122 | N/A | The iPhone has a tested and verified higher quality camera. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | iOS 13 (upgradeable to iOS 18) | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | iOS is known for its smooth, seamless operation and robust ecosystem. Android is more customizable. The Nokia software is also older and has fewer version upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11b/g/n | The iPhone supports the latest WiFi 6 standard providing faster speeds and more efficient handling of connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Both offer similar Bluetooth functionality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both have good satellite coverage; the iPhone has QZSS and the Nokia has Beidou. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The iPhone supports eSIM functionality and both support using two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/256GB/512GB | 32GB/64GB | The iPhone offers significantly more storage, with a 512 GB top end option compared to 64 GB on the G10. |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB or 4GB | Both phones have sufficient RAM for basic usage |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card slots for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo speakers | 2 microphones | The iPhone has higher quality audio, with stereo speakers and enhanced sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The G10 offers a physical biometric sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection details. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor | The iPhone includes additional environmental sensors. The Nokia G10 includes a fingerprint sensor which is a notable security and convenience upgrade. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, OLED technology, and brightness provide a vastly better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The A13 Bionic chip is significantly more powerful than the Helio G25, leading to smoother operation and better performance in demanding tasks.
- Better Camera System: More versatile camera system with dedicated telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, higher resolution video and better low light performance. 4K capability makes it more suitable for content creation.
- Premium Audio: Features like Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise-cancelling mic contribute to a superior audio experience.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM support for greater flexibility with dual-SIM usage.
- Faster Wireless Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster speeds.
Nokia G10 Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 5050 mAh battery may offer longer battery life.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers added security and convenience with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Macro and Depth Camera: Includes dedicated macro and depth cameras for expanded photography options.
- Lighter Design: Lighter weight for comfortable, prolonged use.
- Newer OS out of the box: Released with Android 11 and can be upgraded to Android 13 compared to iOS 13/18
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max sacrifices battery capacity and weight for a superior screen, processing power and camera capabilities.
- The Nokia G10 sacrifices screen, processing power and camera capabilities to achieve a lower price point and larger battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive tasks.
- Content Creators: Users who value high-quality photo and video capabilities, especially 4K video and optical zoom.
- Media Consumers: Those who appreciate a premium display for watching videos and browsing the web.
- Ecosystem Users: Those already embedded in the Apple ecosystem who value integration.
Use Cases:
- Gaming with high graphic settings
- Video production for social media or other platforms
- Photo editing on the go
- Extensive mobile app use
- Reliable performance for professional use
- Bright sunlight outdoor usage
Nokia G10 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a reliable smartphone at an affordable price.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, such as browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Battery Focused: Users who prioritize battery life over high-end performance.
- Android Users: Users who value customizability and the Google ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, emails)
- Light social media and browsing
- Long battery life for extended use without needing to charge
- Simple photo capture (for quick memories)
- Using it as a secondary device
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 11 Pro Max is likely to be significantly more expensive than the Nokia G10, therefore price will be a key factor.
- What is your primary use case? Is high performance (gaming, media editing) or long battery life (basic tasks, extended use) more important?
- Do you value display and camera quality? Or are you happy with the basics. The iPhone 11 Pro Max's camera and display are much higher quality than the Nokia G10's.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Demanding User, Budget is not a factor: Choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max for its superior performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Nokia G10 for its affordability and acceptable battery life for basic tasks.
- Scenario 3: Camera Focused: Choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max for its robust camera system and video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 4: Primary use is for calls/text/social with good battery life: Choose the Nokia G10 as it has good battery life for basic tasks.
Personal Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max. While the Nokia G10 offers excellent value for the price with its large battery, my needs and preferences lean towards a higher-performance device with a superior display and camera. The difference in performance, particularly with the much faster chip, is incredibly significant and makes for a much smoother user experience. I would find it hard to go back to a lower PPI screen, and enjoy having a capable camera system with optical zoom and ultrawide capabilities for photography. For me, the extra cost of the iPhone 11 Pro Max would be worth it.
