Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. OnePlus 10 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 163 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | OnePlus 10 Pro is taller and slightly thicker, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max is wider. This means the OnePlus will fit better in some hands but be taller in pockets. |
| Weight | 226g | 201g | OnePlus 10 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | OnePlus 10 Pro has a slightly larger screen providing a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 10 Pro's higher resolution leads to noticeably sharper text, images, and videos, resulting in a more crisp viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density | 458 PPI | 525 PPI | OnePlus 10 Pro’s sharper display makes small details clearer and text less pixelated. |
| Technology | OLED | iPhone 11 Pro Max uses OLED technology, known for excellent contrast, color accuracy and deep blacks. OnePlus 10 Pro technology is not specified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 10 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling, animations, and a more fluid user interface, particularly noticeable in games and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 10 Pro has slightly higher brightness, making the screen easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | These are different chipsets on different architectures. Both offer strong performance. Real-world performance differences are minimal for most users, though the OnePlus chip is more modern. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 900,491 | Scores are almost identical indicating comparable everyday performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Both offer high-end graphics processing, suitable for demanding gaming and applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.40 µm pixels | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels | OnePlus 10 Pro's main sensor has significantly higher resolution and a larger sensor, allowing for more detailed photos. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 12MP, f/2.0 | None | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom and portrait shots, but the specs are incomplete. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" sensor, 0.80 µm pixels | OnePlus 10 Pro's selfie camera has a higher resolution for more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor, 1.00 µm pixels | OnePlus 10 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64 µm pixels | OnePlus 10 Pro's wide angle lens offers a higher resolution for more detailed wide-angle photos and has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | OnePlus 10 Pro supports higher video resolution (8K) for professional-grade video content creation. Both have great stabilization. |
| DXOMARK Score | Mobile: 122, Photo: 126, Video: 124; Selfie: 122, Photo: 115, Video: 134 | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 119 | iPhone 11 Pro Max slightly edges in video on the main camera and has a selfie camera DXO Mark, while the phones are very close on the main camera. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus 10 Pro has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 80W fast charging | OnePlus 10 Pro supports much faster charging, getting you back up and running quickly. |
| Features | 18W Fast charge, Wireless Reverse Charge | 80W Fast charge, 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charge | OnePlus 10 Pro has much faster charging and better wireless options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 (upgradable to 18) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | iPhone uses the iOS ecosystem which is preferred by some for its simplicity, and updates. OnePlus uses Android which offers more customization and open source capabilities. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | OnePlus 10 Pro supports a newer Wi-Fi standard for potentially faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for faster and more efficient data transfers. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | OnePlus 10 Pro has more satellite systems supported for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | iPhone 11 Pro Max supports an eSIM for switching carriers and for two active lines simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both offer similar storage options, but the OnePlus 10 Pro starts at a higher base storage (128 GB vs 64 GB). |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12 GB | OnePlus 10 Pro has significantly more RAM, improving multitasking and responsiveness, especially for gamers. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | OnePlus 10 Pro has 3 microphones, potentially improving call quality and spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security Features | basic fingerprint sensor | OnePlus 10 Pro includes a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 10 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | OnePlus 10 Pro has a fingerprint sensor and RGB sensor; Apple includes a barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Ecosystem: Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem for users heavily invested in Apple products and services.
- OLED Display: While the OnePlus 10 Pro's display is higher resolution and faster refresh, The iPhone 11 Pro Max has the OLED technology, which provides accurate color reproduction and true blacks.
- Telephoto + Portrait Camera: iPhone 11 Pro Max has a dedicated telephoto lens and superior portrait camera.
- eSIM Support: Ability to switch carriers digitally and potentially use two numbers simultaneously.
- Selfie Camera DXO Mark: The selfie camera has been tested and shown to have a good DXO Mark score.
- Environmental Sensor: Includes a barometer.
OnePlus 10 Pro Advantages:
- Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and 120Hz refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother and sharper visual experience.
- Performance: More modern Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip for better efficiency. Significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Battery: Larger capacity and drastically faster charging (80W wired, 50W wireless) for much less downtime.
- Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, Telephoto lens, and wide-angle cameras for more detailed shots, along with 8K video capabilities. More features (e.g. autofocus) and options (e.g. RAW).
- Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster and more stable connections.
- GPS: More comprehensive GPS system with support for multiple satellite systems.
- Additional features: A fingerprint sensor, 3 microphones and a RGB sensor.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides a much stronger layer of defense against drops and scratches.
- Price: Is typically less expensive than a similarly spec'd Apple iPhone.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Older chipset, slower charging, less RAM, and lower refresh rate, but has the benefits of the Apple ecosystem and an OLED display.
- OnePlus 10 Pro: Lacks the seamless ecosystem of Apple, may have some camera limitations and doesn't have an OLED display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Ideal User: Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem who prioritize seamless integration, a great screen, and want an excellent portrait camera.
- Use Cases:
- Users who prioritize the ease of use within the Apple ecosystem.
- Professional photographers who take a lot of portrait photos
- Users who use features such as the barometer.
OnePlus 10 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users who need the fastest performance, the smoothest display, and quick charging, and those who prefer the open-source Android ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need high refresh rate and high performance.
- Heavy multitaskers who switch between apps frequently.
- Users who prioritize the fastest wired and wireless charging speeds.
- Users who need excellent video capture.
- Android enthusiasts who prefer customization and open source capabilities.
- Users who value newer connection standards like Wifi 7 and bluetooth 5.2.
Price-to-Value:
- The OnePlus 10 Pro typically offers a higher price-to-value ratio due to its newer hardware, faster charging, and higher refresh rate display at a potentially lower cost than a similar model used iPhone 11 Pro Max.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem or do you prefer the flexibility of Android?
- Performance vs. Features: Do you prioritize the absolute latest in processing and display technology, or are you comfortable with slightly older technology for integration with the Apple Ecosystem?
- Charging and Battery Needs: Do you need the fastest charging and longer battery life, or do you charge your phone frequently?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Apple ecosystem user: If you already use multiple Apple devices and value seamless integration, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance-focused user: If you prioritize the absolute best performance and features regardless of the ecosystem, the OnePlus 10 Pro is the better choice, especially for gaming.
- Scenario 3: Android User: If you prefer android customization and open-source capabilities, the OnePlus 10 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 4: Photography Focused User: If you take a lot of portraits, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the better choice. If you prioritize the absolute best in all other camera specs (resolution, zoom, wide angle, video capabilities), and more camera features (e.g. manual focus, RAW options), the OnePlus 10 Pro is better.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 10 Pro. Here's why:
- Future Proofing: The OnePlus 10 Pro has a more modern chipset, more RAM, newer connectivity standards (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2), and a 120Hz refresh rate display. These features make it feel much more future-proofed and would be more enjoyable for years to come.
- Performance and Responsiveness: While both phones are very fast, the added RAM and more modern chipset on the OnePlus 10 Pro would make it a better experience for multitasking and gaming which I frequently do on my device.
- Battery and Charging: The drastically faster charging speeds, both wired and wireless, and larger battery capacity are key benefits. I hate worrying about battery levels, and the OnePlus lets me forget those worries.
- Android Flexibility: I prefer the customization and open-source options of Android.
- Price-to-Value: The OnePlus 10 Pro likely offers a better price-to-value ratio for a similar experience to a used iPhone 11 Pro Max.
While I acknowledge the appeal of the Apple ecosystem for those entrenched in it, and the superior selfie camera and portrait lens of the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the OnePlus 10 Pro simply offers more of what I prioritize in a smartphone.
