Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Honor Magic6 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 162.5 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | Honor is taller and thicker, iPhone is wider; Honor has larger overall volume, but negligible difference in everyday use. |
| Weight | 228g | 225g | Negligible weight difference, both feel substantial in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Very similar screen sizes, negligible difference for most users. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1280x2800 | Virtually identical clarity, difference is negligible |
| PPI | 458 | 453 | Negligible difference in pixel density, both appear sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Identical vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor Magic6 Pro has much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits (Specification missing) | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers excellent outdoor visibility. Honor's value is missing, so its outdoor usability can't be commented on directly. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Honor has a much newer and more powerful chip, significantly faster performance for apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 2,069,877 | Honor Magic6 Pro has 85% higher performance based on benchmarks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 750 | Honor's GPU offers higher gaming performance based on benchmarks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5600mAh | Honor has significantly larger battery, likely providing much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 80W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Honor charges much faster; Li-Polymer batteries are usually more durable than Li-Ion. |
| Charging Features | 20W adapter sold separately, MagSafe wireless 15W, Qi 7.5W | Reverse, Wireless 66W, Reverse Wireless 7.5W, No charger inbox | Honor's faster wireless charging, reverse charging, and no inbox charger, iPhone includes MagSafe and Qi wireless. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70µm (Sony IMX603) | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.20µm (Omnivision OV50H) | Honor has higher resolution and a wider aperture; potentially better low-light performance and more detail. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 1.00µm (Sony IMX590) | Not available | iPhone has a dedicated telephoto for zoomed photos, which Honor lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 (Sony IMX514) | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.51", 0.64µm (Sony IMX816) | Honor has higher resolution and a wider aperture, potentially better selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.40µm (Sony IMX372) | Not available | iPhone has a dedicated ultrawide camera, which Honor lacks. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | Not available | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88", 0.61µm (Omnivision OV50D40) | Honor has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, which iPhone lacks. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | Not available | 180MP, f/2.6 | Honor includes dedicated Telephoto + portrait camera; superior portraits with greater zoom capabilities |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps, HDR, OIS, Stereo Sound, Slow-motion 240fps | Up to 4K 60fps, HDR, OIS, EIS, Slow-motion 960fps | Both can shoot great videos, Honor offers higher slow-motion frame rates and better stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 131, Selfie: 132 | Mobile: 158, Selfie: 151 | Honor has significantly better camera performance based on DxOMark scores (both front and back). |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, max version 18 | Android 14, max version 18 | Different operating systems, choice depends on personal preference and app ecosystem. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, MIMO | WiFi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Display, MIMO | Honor offers newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and better performance in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1, LE, A2DP | Bluetooth 5.3, LE, A2DP, EDR, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Honor has newer Bluetooth and better codec support for higher quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Honor has better GPS with more bands supported, providing more accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Both offer dual SIM capabilities |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1024GB | Honor offers more storage at the higher end. |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB, 16GB | Honor has much more RAM, providing better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Apple has enhanced spatial audio. Honor has a different surround sound processing system. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | basic fingerprint sensor | Honor offers biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Screen Unknown | Screen Unknown | Specific screen protection details missing. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Fingerprint, Gravity | Honor has a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Strong Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- MagSafe: Convenient magnetic wireless charging and accessory ecosystem.
- Brightness: Significantly higher display brightness makes it better for outdoor use.
- Telephoto Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
- Wide Angle Camera: Dedicated ultrawide lens for expansive shots.
Honor Magic6 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and more RAM for demanding tasks.
- Larger Battery: Much larger battery capacity for extended usage.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging speeds.
- Better Camera: Higher resolution, wider apertures, and better DxOMark scores for both main and selfie cameras. Includes macro and portrait with telephoto lens.
- Newer Technology: More advanced WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and GPS.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother display experience with 120Hz.
- More Storage Option: Higher internal storage option
- Biometric Security: Includes a fingerprint sensor for biometric security.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone: Older processor and lower refresh rate for the display, lower battery capacity, and slower charging are areas where it lags. Lacks fingerprint sensor.
- Honor: Lacks dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lenses, and the display brightness is unknown, but may impact outdoor visibility. Missing charger in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is ideal for:
- Existing Apple users: Those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who prioritize seamless integration with their other Apple devices.
- Users who value build quality: Those who prefer a robust phone with a familiar design.
- Those prioritising excellent outdoor visibility: Users who need a bright display for use under direct sunlight.
- Video Content Creators: Those who value the iPhone’s video capture capabilities and editing options
Use Cases:
- Seamlessly syncing with other Apple devices.
- Using MagSafe accessories.
- Reliable and consistent performance within the Apple ecosystem.
- Shooting photos and videos in bright outdoor conditions.
Honor Magic6 Pro is ideal for:
- Power users: Those who require the highest level of performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- Users wanting long battery life: Users who prioritize battery longevity and fast charging.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who seek superior camera quality and versatility.
- Tech-savvy users: Those interested in the newest hardware and features.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Running demanding apps and multitasking.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in varied conditions.
- Long days away from charging outlets.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you invested in Apple's ecosystem or open to Android?
- Performance or Battery? Do you prioritize top-tier performance or longer battery life?
- Camera Versatility or Specialized Lenses? Do you want a versatile camera with great scores or specific telephoto and ultrawide lenses?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: You're a loyal Apple user with other Apple devices, needing a reliable camera for photos and videos. Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max for its ecosystem integration.
Scenario 2: You're a gamer or power user needing maximum performance and long battery life. Recommendation: Honor Magic6 Pro for its powerful processor, fast charging, and large battery.
Scenario 3: You prioritize the best camera and are willing to switch ecosystems. Recommendation: Honor Magic6 Pro due to it’s far superior camera quality in both front and back.
Scenario 4: You value a bright screen for outdoor visibility. Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max for it’s very high screen brightness.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Honor Magic6 Pro. While I appreciate the simplicity and ecosystem of iOS, the significantly superior performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and charging speed of the Honor Magic6 Pro make it a more compelling option for my needs as a power user. The 120Hz display is also a significant upgrade for daily use, and the fingerprint sensor is also a plus. The versatility of the camera setup and superior benchmark scores put it significantly ahead of the iPhone for my usage pattern.
