1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 7T | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 160.9 × 74.4 × 8.1 mm | OnePlus 7T is taller but narrower, iPhone 11 Pro Max wider, both same thickness. |
| Weight | 226g | 190g | OnePlus 7T is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Screen Protection: Unknown | Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | OnePlus 7T offers better screen protection. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 7T | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.55" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 458 | 402 | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers noticeably crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar quality display tech, vibrant colors and deep blacks in both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 7T offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1000 nits | iPhone 11 Pro Max has better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 7T | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Different architectures; A13 is generally faster. |
| Antutu Score | 916,151 | 582,452 | iPhone 11 Pro Max performs significantly better, faster app loading, smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Different GPU architectures; A13 provides better graphics performance in most cases. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | OnePlus 7T has more RAM, potentially smoother for multitasking heavy apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 7T | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 48MP | OnePlus 7T captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | OnePlus 7T captures more light in low-light situations due to wider aperture. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/2" | OnePlus 7T has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | Yes | Both offer optical zoom capabilities, the implementations of which are not completely comparable |
| Wide-Angle Lens | Yes | Yes | Both offer a wider field of view, the implementations of which are not completely comparable |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | OnePlus 7T captures more detailed selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps HDR, stereo sound | Up to 4K@60fps HDR, EIS | Both offer high-quality video, iPhone has better sound, OnePlus has digital stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | 240 fps | 480 fps | OnePlus 7T can capture slower slow-motion footage. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 122 | Not Tested | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a verified score. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 122 | Not Tested | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a verified score. |
| Camera Features | Night Mode, OIS | Digital image stabilization, OIS | iPhone includes night mode, OnePlus includes digital image stabilization, both having OIS |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 7T | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 3800mAh | Similar battery capacity; similar battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 7T charges significantly faster. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, 18W Fast Charging | WARP 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 7T has faster charging, iPhone 11 Pro Max has wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly higher benchmark scores, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in crisper text, images, and overall visual experience.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in outdoor conditions.
- Advanced Audio: Enhanced spatial audio, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion with noise cancellation microphone
- Wireless Charging: Convenient for cable-free charging.
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital carrier switching.
- Verified Camera Performance: DxOMark score provides a reliable benchmark.
- Night Mode: Captures detailed low-light images.
OnePlus 7T Advantages:
- Lighter Design: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably more fluid visual experience.
- Faster Charging: WARP 30W charging significantly reduces charge times.
- Higher RAM: Better multi-tasking capabilities due to more RAM.
- More Feature-Rich Cameras: Higher resolution cameras offer more detail in photos.
- More comprehensive GPS: Supports more satellite systems.
- Fingerprint Sensor: More secure and easy to use biometric security.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 offers enhanced screen protection
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Heavier and more expensive, lacks the high refresh rate display, slower charging speed, missing fingerprint sensor.
- OnePlus 7T: Lower resolution display, less powerful processor, and lacks wireless charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and demanding apps.
- Content Creators: Professionals who need a high-quality camera system, color accuracy, and HDR video recording with good audio.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Those deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem who value seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Users Needing Bright Screen: Users in bright environments will benefit greatly from the brighter display.
- Users Requiring eSIM: Those who frequently travel internationally and like using eSIM.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photo and video editing on the go.
- Playing graphically intensive games at high frame rates.
- Seamless workflow between iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
OnePlus 7T Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a flagship-level experience without the premium price tag.
- Gamers and Multi-taskers: Individuals who appreciate a smooth user interface, fast charging, and higher RAM for better multi-tasking.
- Users Seeking Fast Charging: Users who need their phone charged quickly and often.
- Users that prefer lighter devices: Those that find heavier phones less comfortable.
- Users who prefer fingerprint security: Those who like biometric security.
Specific Use Cases:
- Enjoying smooth gaming experiences and scrolling.
- Quickly charging the device during busy days.
- Taking detailed photos with the 48MP camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 11 Pro Max is typically more expensive than the OnePlus 7T.
- How important is performance and gaming? The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a more powerful chip and scores better in benchmarks.
- Do you value smoother displays or brighter displays? OnePlus 7T has smoother refresh rate and the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a much brighter display.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For maximum performance and ecosystem integration: Choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- For a smoother visual experience and fast charging on a budget: Choose the OnePlus 7T.
- For users who need a brighter screen and better audio: Choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- For users that want a lighter device with better screen protection and a fingerprint sensor: Choose the OnePlus 7T.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the OnePlus 7T. While the iPhone 11 Pro Max has superior performance and a sharper, brighter display, the OnePlus 7T offers a compelling balance of features at a likely lower price point. The 90Hz display, faster charging, and lighter build are very appealing for day to day use. As someone who plays games but is not a "power-user", the drop in performance is worth it for the other benefits. While I prefer the more convenient wireless charging of the iPhone, I am fine with using a cable when I need to. The 7T's faster charging speed also mitigates some of that inconvenience. The higher RAM is a welcome addition for future proofing. And the fingerprint sensor is a huge plus for security and ease of use.
Ultimately, both phones are great but cater to slightly different needs.
