Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Honor 90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-06-07 | Honor 90 is a much newer device, likely benefiting from newer technologies. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is slightly taller and thinner but less wide; the iPhone 12 Pro Max feels wider and potentially less comfortable for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 228g | 183g | Honor 90 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size, offering a similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1200 x 2664 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a slightly sharper display, but the difference may be negligible in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 458 ppi | 435 ppi | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a marginally sharper display, though not significantly noticeable. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast; the difference between OLED and AMOLED is minimal in practical use. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90's 120Hz display provides noticeably smoother animations and scrolling compared to the iPhone's 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90's display is significantly brighter, making it more legible under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Apple A14 Bionic offers substantially better performance, while Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is still a capable mid-range chip. |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 701,227 | iPhone 12 Pro Max demonstrates significantly faster performance, suitable for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 644 | Different GPUs; the Apple GPU is optimized for iOS, while the Adreno 644 is used in Android devices. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687 mAh | 5000 mAh | Honor 90 has a much larger battery, which generally translates to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | No wireless | iPhone 12 Pro Max has the advantage of wireless charging, offering more convenient charging options |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 12MP f/1.6 | 200MP f/1.9 | Honor 90 captures highly detailed images due to its high resolution; iPhone 12 Pro Max excels in low-light performance with its wider aperture. |
| Selfie | 12MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.4 | Honor 90 captures more detailed selfie photos; the aperture differences are negligible. |
| Telephoto | 12MP f/2.2, 1/3.4" | Not Available | iPhone 12 Pro Max has dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom; Honor 90 relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP f/2.4, 1/2.55" | Not Available | iPhone 12 Pro Max has dedicated wide angle lens for better capturing landscape photos; Honor 90 relies on standard lens. |
| Portrait Mode | Not Available | 2MP f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a dedicated depth sensor, enabling portrait mode with enhanced bokeh effects; iPhone 12 Pro Max relies on software for depth effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 12MP f/2.2 | Honor 90 allows macro photography with its wide angle lens which the iPhone lacks |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro Max has higher frame rate recording, while Honor 90 relies on EIS and no OIS; both record at 4K resolution for high quality footage |
| DXOMark Mobile | 131 | 122 | iPhone 12 Pro Max demonstrates superior overall camera performance. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 | Not Available | iPhone 12 Pro Max shows superior front facing camera performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (up to iOS 18) | Android 13 | iOS offers a smooth user experience; Android provides more customization options. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 90 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with wider codec support. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | Multiple systems | Both support reliable GPS positioning; iPhone includes QZSS while Honor includes B1. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 Pro Max allows dual-SIM functionality with a physical SIM and an eSIM; Honor 90 uses two physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both offer ample storage options; the iPhone has a 128 GB base storage option, Honor does not. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking and smoother app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers | Noise Cancellation mic | The iPhone offers superior audio with its stereo speakers, while the Honor provides noise cancellation for calls. |
| Security | Basic Security features | Fingerprint Sensor | Honor 90 provides a fingerprint scanner for quick and secure authentication. iPhone 12 Pro Max does not have a fingerprint sensor, only face recognition |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use unknown screen protection technology |
| Sensors | Multiple Sensors | Multiple Sensors | iPhone 12 Pro Max has Barometer and Gyroscope while Honor 90 has Fingerprint and RGB |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Apple A14 Bionic chip provides significantly better performance for demanding tasks.
- Enhanced Camera System: Includes a Telephoto and Wide Angle lens with higher optical zoom and better picture quality according to DXOMark scores.
- Premium Audio: Offers superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- MagSafe and Wireless Charging: Provides convenient wireless charging options.
- Better Video Stabilization: Uses OIS and other video stabilization technologies.
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is better suited for power users, photographers, and anyone who values smooth performance and great multimedia consumption.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Comfortable: Significantly lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate display, provides much smoother scrolling and animations.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Significantly longer battery life and faster charging speed for those with battery concerns.
- High-Resolution Main Camera: High-resolution 200MP camera captures images with lots of detail.
- Greater RAM: Provides more RAM for efficient multitasking and faster app loading times.
- Newer Operating System: Android is more customizable with more options to choose from.
Practical Implications: The Honor 90 is ideal for users who value a lightweight design, long battery life, a smoother display experience, and a high-resolution camera.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance: The Honor 90's chipset is not as powerful as the iPhone 12 Pro Max's A14 Bionic.
- Camera versatility: The iPhone 12 Pro Max's telephoto and wide-angle lens offer more camera shooting options.
- Video Stabilization: The Honor 90 does not feature OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) meaning less stable video recording compared to iPhone.
- Software Ecosystem: iOS and Android offer different experiences; users may have preferences.
- No Wireless Charging: Honor 90 users will have to charge via cable.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Power users: Those who require top-tier performance for demanding apps, gaming, and video editing.
- Content creators: Photographers and videographers who prioritize camera quality and video features.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Individuals who are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize audio quality and multimedia experience.
Use Cases:
- Gaming on demanding mobile titles.
- Professional photo and video editing.
- Daily usage with multiple apps and intensive multitasking.
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Ideal Users for Honor 90:
- Everyday users: Those who prioritize a good user experience, long battery life, and a lightweight design.
- Social media users: Users who want to capture detailed images and enjoy a smoother display experience.
- Android enthusiasts: Users who prefer the flexibility and customization of the Android OS.
- Users looking for value: Those who seek a balanced and well-rounded device at an accessible price.
Use Cases:
- All-day usage without needing to recharge frequently.
- Capturing high-resolution photos for social media.
- Enjoying smooth scrolling and animations on a vibrant display.
- Multitasking between various applications.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Requirements: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps, or is a smooth everyday experience sufficient?
- Camera Preferences: Do you prefer a versatile camera system with various lenses or a single high-resolution sensor?
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you invested in the iOS ecosystem, or do you prefer the flexibility of Android?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance is Paramount: If you prioritize top-tier performance, superior photo quality, then the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Battery Life and Smoothness: If you value long battery life, a lighter design, and smooth display, the Honor 90 is better suited.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious: If you are more budget conscious, the Honor 90 provides more value for the money for the mid-range price and its features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Honor 90.
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max undoubtedly has a more powerful processor and a more capable camera system in terms of versatility, my personal priorities align more with the strengths of the Honor 90. The key reasons for my choice are:
- Comfort and Ergonomics: The significant weight difference between the two devices is important for me. The Honor 90 would be much more comfortable for prolonged use, which I prioritize in a daily driver.
- Display Experience: The 120Hz refresh rate display on the Honor 90 would make a noticeable improvement in day-to-day usage, such as scrolling through web pages, social media, and apps. I personally value this smoothness over pixel density.
- Battery Life and Charging Speed: The larger battery and significantly faster charging of the Honor 90 would remove anxiety around battery life, something I regularly encounter with other smartphones.
- Price to Value: The Honor 90 provides much more value for the price with its great display, long lasting battery, and more recent technologies.
While I recognize the strength of the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s camera and performance, I find the overall user experience of the Honor 90 more appealing for my everyday needs, which outweighs its shortcomings.
