Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs Realme 9 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Realme 9 Pro
Realme 9 Pro
Realme

General

Launch Date September 20, 2019 February 23, 2022
Release Year 2019 2022

Physical

Volume 99.57 cm³ 105.58 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.88 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 226 g 195 g
Height 158 mm 164.3 mm
Width 77.8 mm 75.6 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Matte Space Gray
  • Matte Silver
  • Matte Gold
  • Matte Midnight Green
  • Midnight Black
  • Aurora Green
  • Sunrise Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1242 x 2688 1080 x 2412
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.4 % 84.4 %
Pixel Density 458 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 93.94 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.86 mAh/cm³ 47.36 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3969 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 13 12
Maximum OS Version 18 13

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive into the user experience of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and the Realme 9 Pro. Instead of just reciting specs, we're going to explore how these phones feel in your hand, and how their features fit into your daily life.

User Experience Comparative Matrix:

Feature CategoryApple iPhone 11 Pro MaxRealme 9 ProUser Experience Impact
Interface DesignEcosystem: iOS 13 with potential upgrade to 18. Focus on simplicity and elegance.Openness: Android 12 with update to 13. Highly customizable interface.iOS: Consistent, intuitive, smooth, but less personalization. Android: Highly customizable but can be overwhelming for beginners.
Interaction FlowSmooth Transition: Fluid animations, focus on haptic feedback, gestures-based navigation.Responsive: Fast refresh rate for smoother scrolling and navigation. More physical buttons for functions.iOS: Feels like a seamless experience. Android: More customizability in how you interact with the phone.
Accessibility FeaturesMature Suite: VoiceOver, zoom, subtitles, screen readability options. Excellent for users with disabilities.Standard Android Options: Voice access, magnification, color correction.iOS: Strong focus on accessibility from the start. Android: Requires third-party solutions for many additional features.
Design ErgonomicsPremium Feel: Stainless steel and glass, heavier, smaller form factor. Slightly thicker edges.Lighter Build: Plastic body, lighter, taller and slightly thinner, slightly rounded edges for better hand feelApple: Premium, solid build. Can be heavy for some. Realme: More comfortable for long periods, and easy to hold for smaller hands due to the lower weight..

Narrative-Driven Feature Exploration:

The Story of the Screen:

Imagine you're a busy architect. You're on a construction site, the sun is glaring, and you need to check the blueprints on your phone.

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max: Its OLED display shines bright like a beacon, piercing through the harsh light with a peak brightness of 1200 nits, so you can see every fine detail. The screen is sharp, making sure those lines and angles look crisp.
  • Realme 9 Pro: While the Realme 9 Pro might not match that level of brightness (0 nits), its 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through those blueprints smooth and seamless, even if you have to find some shade to view it properly.

The Tale of the Camera:

Let's say you're a street photographer. You see a captivating scene unfolding before you— a child chasing pigeons in a park.

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max: You pull out the iPhone and use its triple-lens camera. It's super quick to start, and its image stabilization ensures the shot is clear and without any blur despite your shaky hands from the adrenaline. The detail is amazing thanks to its multiple lenses.
  • Realme 9 Pro: The Realme has a macro camera, which can add a sense of wonder to every day shots. You might need to adjust your shot in post-processing, as its video quality isn't on par with the iPhone, but it still does a great job in good lighting.

The Everyday Use Story:

Think about your daily commute. You're listening to a podcast, checking emails, maybe even playing a quick game to pass the time.

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max: With the A13 Bionic chip, multitasking is a breeze. Switching between apps feels instant. Its excellent audio enhances your podcast listening experience, and battery lasts for a while.
  • Realme 9 Pro: The Realme, with its larger battery, will keep you going longer. With the fast charging, you can quickly add a few hours of power during a quick coffee break. It also offers an expanded audio range with Bluetooth, so your music can sound the way it's supposed to.

Inclusive Technology Evaluation:

Let's consider different user groups:

  • The Power User: The iPhone 11 Pro Max will be great for a user who values speed, smoothness and the best quality photos and videos. The integration of iOS is great for a user who prefers simplicity.
  • The Budget-Conscious User: The Realme 9 Pro offers great specs for a more affordable price. It’s user-friendly for those looking for a solid, reliable phone. The Android OS is more open to customization for advanced users.
  • The Accessibility-Focused User: The iPhone 11 Pro Max with its mature suite of accessibility features, is excellent for users with visual or auditory impairments. The strong contrast on the OLED panel and quality haptic feedback will be great for many users.
  • The Content Creator: The iPhone 11 Pro Max will be great for a content creator who needs great quality video and a powerful performance for editing videos. The Realme 9 Pro offers versatility with it's macro lens and great battery life.

Design-Centric Decision Framework:

For Users Who Value:

  • Premium Build & Ecosystem: Choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Its build quality, smooth interface, and mature ecosystem provide a solid foundation for seamless daily use.
  • Customization & Affordability: The Realme 9 Pro is your best bet. Its highly customizable Android system, and lower price point, makes it great for users seeking flexibility.
  • Display & Performance: The iPhone 11 Pro Max's superior screen and performance might appeal to those who value sharpness, brightness, and speed.
  • Versatility & Battery Life: The Realme 9 Pro's great battery life, fast charging, and extra features for it's camera will be appealing to those looking for versatility and good performance at a reasonable price.
  • Smoothness: The 120HZ screen refresh rate on the Realme is great for those looking to scroll without interruption.

My Choice and Why:

If I had to choose, I would lean towards the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Here's why, keeping my user-focused approach in mind:

1. The Overall Experience: The iPhone excels at delivering a cohesive, refined experience. Everything from its stunning screen to its silky-smooth performance feels polished and well thought-out. The seamless app interactions, the responsiveness of the gestures, and the quality of the camera all add up to a premium experience.

2. Content Creation: As a communications specialist, high quality video and photos is a big priority. I appreciate the high quality video and photo experience the iPhone offers as well as it's excellent editing capabilities.

3. Accessibility: The mature accessibility suite is a major plus. It’s not just about catering to specific needs, but about ensuring a great, inclusive experience for every user.

4. Design Philosophy: I appreciate Apple’s design focus on simplicity and elegance. While it may not be as customizable as Android, I find the iOS ecosystem to be incredibly user-friendly and it just works.

While the Realme 9 Pro is a great phone, it's more of a "jack of all trades," whereas the iPhone 11 Pro Max excels in creating an all-around seamless experience. As someone who also values the ecosystem of Apple, it's my preferred choice.

Sophia Rodriguez
Sophia Rodriguez

Technology Communications Specialist

Expert in transforming complex technological innovations into accessible, engaging narratives.

Key Strengths:

  • Technology storytelling
  • User experience design analysis
  • Inclusive technology communication
  • Design-driven technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with human-centered understanding.