1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm | 165.3 x 74.4 x 8.5 mm | OnePlus 8 Pro is taller and slightly thicker, while iPhone is wider. The iPhone will feel more dense and slightly less comfortable in smaller hands due to the width difference. |
| Weight | 226g | 199g | OnePlus 8 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to handle. The iPhone is noticeably heavier and may cause fatigue during extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | OnePlus 8 Pro offers superior screen protection from scratches and impacts. The iPhone's screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | OnePlus 8 Pro has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1440x3168 | OnePlus 8 Pro has a significantly sharper display with more detail, leading to more crisp text and visuals. |
| PPI | 458 | 513 | The higher pixel density of the OnePlus 8 Pro results in a noticeably clearer display with less pixelation, improving visual clarity. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both phones offer excellent color reproduction and contrast with deep blacks, providing very high-quality displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 8 Pro offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive and fluid. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 8 Pro is slightly better for outdoor use with better screen visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Both offer top-tier performance, but the A13 Bionic has a slight edge in raw processing power. The Snapdragon 865 is still an excellent processor and is optimized for Android. |
| Antutu Score | 916,151 | 745,300 | The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a higher benchmark score, suggesting better overall speed and responsiveness, but in real world use the difference will not always be apparent. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 650 | Both phones have powerful GPUs suitable for graphics-intensive tasks such as gaming and video editing. The Apple GPU is typically optimized for Apple's software and is slightly superior in terms of raw processing power. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 48MP | OnePlus 8 Pro captures more detailed photos with the potential for larger prints and more flexible cropping. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.78 | OnePlus 8 Pro has a slightly wider aperture which, although similar, allows slightly more light into the sensor, potentially improving low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/1.4" | OnePlus 8 Pro has a significantly larger sensor which gathers more light and provides better dynamic range and overall image quality. |
| Telephoto Camera | 12MP | 8MP | The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a telephoto lens for optical zoom, while the OnePlus 8 Pro also has a telephoto lens, but with different characteristics. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | 48MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | The iPhone has a standard wide angle lens, while the OnePlus has an ultrawide lens and an additional macro capability, enabling more versatile photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | OnePlus 8 Pro has a slightly higher resolution for clearer selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Both offer very similar high-quality video recording with HDR, but the OnePlus 8 Pro offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother footage. |
| DxOMark - Mobile (Main) | 122 Main Score, 126 Photo Score, 124 Video Score | 113 Main Score, 113 Photo Score, 109 Video Score | The iPhone 11 Pro Max performs better overall in main camera tests for both photo and video capture according to DxOMark scores. |
| DxOMark - Selfie | 122 Main Score, 115 Photo Score, 134 Video Score | 123 Main Score, 121 Photo Score, 127 Video Score | The OnePlus 8 Pro selfie camera performs slightly better for photos, while the iPhone selfie camera performs slightly better for video capture, according to DxOMark scores. |
| Additional Features | Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | Quadruple camera, Optical zoom, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | The OnePlus 8 Pro offers more versatility with an optical zoom lens, a dedicated macro lens, and digital image stabilization, whereas the iPhone has a simple triple camera setup with OIS. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 4510mAh | OnePlus 8 Pro has a larger battery capacity, which generally translates to longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 8 Pro charges significantly faster than the iPhone, reducing downtime for charging. |
| Features | Fast charge 18W, Wireless reverse charging | 30W wireless charging, 3W reverse charging | The OnePlus 8 Pro has faster wireless charging at 30W compared to 18W fast charging for the iPhone. The iPhone offers Wireless reverse charging, while the OnePlus offers faster 30W wireless charging and 3W reverse charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Raw Performance: The A13 Bionic chipset delivers higher benchmark scores, translating to a slightly smoother and more responsive experience for demanding tasks.
- Higher Main Camera Quality: While the OnePlus has a higher-resolution sensor, the iPhone’s main camera scores higher in DxOMark testing, with better photo and video results.
- Mature iOS Ecosystem: The iOS ecosystem is known for its polished user experience, software updates, and tight integration with other Apple devices.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: The iPhone offers a more immersive audio experience with better separation and clearer audio quality.
OnePlus 8 Pro Advantages:
- Larger and Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and higher resolution provide a visibly superior visual experience with smoother animations.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging are faster, reducing charging times significantly.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers additional lenses, including telephoto and macro capabilities.
- Lighter and Thinner Build: More comfortable and easier to handle for extended use.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Resulting in longer run time between charges
- Better Connectivity Offers better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities and more accurate GPS tracking
- More RAM: The OnePlus 8 Pro has significantly more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Heavier, slower charging, and lower refresh rate display, but slightly better raw processing performance and camera quality.
- OnePlus 8 Pro: Lower benchmark score, but offers a more modern and versatile feature set and better user experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, seeking seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Content Creators: Users who value the iPhone's superior video and main camera quality for content creation.
- Power Users: Those who need a device that excels at demanding apps and games with high performance.
- Users that value simplicity: Users who value a refined experience and ease of use may prefer the iOS platform.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional video and photo editing.
- Demanding gaming sessions.
- Users who prioritize a polished and intuitive user interface
- Seamless integration across Apple devices such as AirPods, iPad and MacBook.
Ideal Users for OnePlus 8 Pro:
- Android Enthusiasts: Users who prefer the customization options and open-source nature of the Android OS.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who prioritize display quality and refresh rate for movies, games, and browsing.
- Power Users: Those who need a device for heavy multitasking with lots of open apps.
- Photography Lovers: Those who want versatility in their camera setup with multiple lenses and modes for creative photography.
Specific Use Cases:
- Immersive gaming and media consumption.
- Frequent travelers who require fast charging.
- Users who appreciate more versatile photography options with telephoto and macro lenses.
- Android users who desire more customization options than iOS.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Typically higher price, the value comes from the established ecosystem, high-quality camera and top-tier performance and mature ecosystem, but dated technology in some aspects.
- OnePlus 8 Pro: Provides more value with modern features (120Hz, faster charging, larger battery) and a more versatile camera system, but can be argued to not perform as well in specific scenarios.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, or do you prefer Android's flexibility?
- Performance vs. Visual Experience: Do you prioritize raw processing power and top-notch main camera quality, or do you value a smoother display and faster charging?
- Camera Versatility vs. Main Camera Quality: Do you need multiple lenses and modes for creative photography, or is the main camera quality most important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Professional Content Creation): If you need the best video and main camera quality, along with seamless integration with Apple software, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is a better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Multimedia and Gaming): If you want a more immersive media experience with smoother scrolling, longer battery life and fast charging, the OnePlus 8 Pro is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3 (Versatile Photography): If you value more creative options and want to experiment with multiple lenses and modes, the OnePlus 8 Pro is better with its wide-angle + macro and telephoto options.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I would go with the OnePlus 8 Pro. While the iPhone 11 Pro Max has its strengths, particularly in raw processing power and main camera quality, the OnePlus 8 Pro better suits my needs.
Here's why:
- Display Experience: The 120Hz refresh rate is a huge upgrade for overall daily use. The smoother scrolling and animations significantly enhance the feel and responsiveness of the phone, making the overall experience far more enjoyable. This is something you notice and benefit from every time you use the phone.
- Charging Speed: The significantly faster wired and wireless charging speeds of the OnePlus 8 Pro are a major benefit. I prefer a phone that charges quickly, allowing for quicker usage in between charges, rather than being plugged in for long periods.
- Modern Features: The OnePlus has a more modern feature set in a number of areas such as the display, battery, camera, connectivity, storage and RAM which results in a more practical user experience overall.
- Camera Versatility: While the iPhone's main camera might be slightly better in specific situations, the versatility offered by the OnePlus's multiple lenses (including a macro lens) aligns more with how I like to take photos, providing more creative options.
- Android Flexibility: As an Android user, I appreciate the openness and customization offered by the Android OS compared to the more restricted iOS environment. This allows for more flexibility in how I use and personalize my device.
While the iPhone 11 Pro Max is a powerful device, its older technology and slower charging times are less appealing to me. Ultimately, the OnePlus 8 Pro offers a more compelling balance of features for my needs, making it the better choice.
