Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Huawei nova 11 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-04-27 | The Huawei is significantly newer, with potentially updated features and software. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | The Huawei is taller and slightly thicker, while the iPhone is wider. This affects handling and pocketability. |
| Weight | 228g | 188g | The Huawei is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Both displays are virtually the same size; the small difference is hardly noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1200x2652 | The iPhone has a moderately sharper display, which may be noticeable when viewing very detailed images or text. |
| Pixel Density | 458 ppi | 429 ppi | The iPhone has slightly crisper visuals due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use the same OLED tech, providing excellent contrast and color. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Huawei's 120Hz refresh rate provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 950 nits | The iPhone's higher brightness ensures better outdoor visibility, particularly in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | The iPhone's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 592,297 | The iPhone has nearly double the AnTuTu score, indicating drastically superior performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 642L | The iPhone has a faster GPU, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 4500mAh | The Huawei has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Huawei charges much faster, a significant convenience for users on the go. |
| Battery Features | MagSafe, Qi Wireless Charging | Reverse Charging | The iPhone supports wireless charging while the Huawei can reverse charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 50MP f/1.9 | The Huawei has a higher megapixel count, but the iPhone has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 60MP f/2.4, 1/2.8" | The Huawei boasts much higher megapixel count on its selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | None | The iPhone has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom, absent on the Huawei. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | None | The iPhone has an ultra-wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes, absent on the Huawei. |
| Wide + Macro Lens | None | 8MP f/2.2 | The Huawei includes a combined wide-angle and macro lens for detailed close-up photography, while iPhone lacks such lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 720p@960fps | The iPhone supports higher resolution 4K video recording, while the Huawei has higher frame rates for slow motion. |
| Camera Score (DxOMark) | 131 (Main), 132(Selfie) | Not Available | The iPhone's camera performs very well; lack of test results for the Huawei makes direct comparison difficult. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Triple Cam | Digital Image Stabilization | The iPhone offers better stabilization and zoom capabilities while Huawei uses a digital approach, potentially less effective for moving subjects. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to 18) | Unknown | The iPhone runs on iOS, which offers a different ecosystem, potentially better support and longer software updates; lack of specific software on Huawei |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Both support similar Wi-Fi, with Huawei having additional Direct and Display features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 with APT-x | The Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version with advanced audio codec support. |
| GPS | Multiple Satellites | Multiple Satellites, Dual Band | The Huawei supports more satellite systems for enhanced location accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | The iPhone provides more versatile SIM options including eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both offer similar internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB | 6/8/12 GB | The Huawei offers more RAM in its top variants, which improves multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The iPhone offers more immersive audio due to Dolby Atmos and Digital Plus. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Face ID | Fingerprint Sensor | The Huawei has a convenient fingerprint sensor for quickly unlocking, the iPhone uses Face ID for secure access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The iPhone has an additional barometer sensor, while the Huawei features a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chipset provides superior processing power, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Superior Display Brightness: The 1200 nits brightness ensures better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Better Main Camera Low-Light Performance: Wider f/1.6 aperture on the main camera captures more light, resulting in better low-light photos.
- Telephoto and Ultra-Wide Lenses: Offers more versatility in photography with dedicated telephoto and ultra-wide angle lenses.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Provides better audio immersion due to Dolby Atmos support.
- eSIM Support: More versatile SIM options.
- Stronger Video Recording: Ability to record in 4K resolution.
- Better Camera Overall: With better dxoMark scores.
Practical Implications: The iPhone is better for users who need high performance for demanding tasks, prefer better outdoor visibility, require a versatile camera system, and appreciate immersive audio experience.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Release Date: Being a newer model, it potentially comes with updated software and features.
- Lighter and Slightly Thinner: More comfortable for extended usage and easier to handle.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 120Hz display provides smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid user experience.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: The bigger battery and 100W fast charging offer better battery life and faster top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 60MP front-facing camera captures more detailed selfies.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Fingerprint sensor: Convenient and fast access to the phone.
- More RAM options: Up to 12 GB of RAM, better for multitasking.
- More Bluetooth codecs: Better compatibility with bluetooth headphones.
Practical Implications: The Huawei is better for users who prioritize battery life, fast charging, lighter design, smoother display, detailed selfies, and convenient fingerprint access.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max sacrifices some battery and charging speed for higher performance and better overall camera.
- The Huawei nova 11 Pro sacrifices some performance for a lighter design, better battery and fast charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Power Users: Those who frequently use demanding apps, edit photos/videos, and play graphics-intensive games.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who require a versatile camera system with excellent low-light performance and optical zoom capabilities.
- Content Creators: Users who need the best video recording capabilities and a high-quality display for editing.
- Users invested in the Apple Ecosystem: Those already using other Apple products and appreciate the ecosystem.
Specific Use Cases:
- Editing 4K videos on-the-go
- Playing intensive mobile games with demanding graphics
- Professional photographers requiring excellent low-light results
- Users who value strong long term software support
Ideal Users for Huawei nova 11 Pro:
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize a balance of performance, battery life, and fast charging for daily tasks.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who take a lot of selfies and post on social media.
- Users Who Prefer Lighter Phones: Those who need a phone that is comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Users who prioritize Battery Life: Heavy users that need their phone to last the day.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long hours of browsing, messaging, and social media
- Quickly charging the phone during busy days
- Taking high-resolution selfies and capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Users who prefer a fingerprint sensor for unlocking.
Price-to-Value:
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max, while older, still commands a premium price. It offers top-tier performance and photography but might not be the best value if the budget is a primary concern.
- The Huawei nova 11 Pro provides a modern smartphone experience with a balance of features, potentially offering better value depending on price in the market.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance for you? (Gaming, demanding apps)
- How important is battery life and fast charging? (Long days away from power outlets)
- Do you prioritize camera versatility or selfie quality? (Different photo needs)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance is Key: If you prioritize raw speed for gaming or intensive tasks, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Long Battery Life and Fast Charging: If you value long battery life and rapid charging, the Huawei nova 11 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you are a balanced user who uses their phone for diverse tasks and prioritize a more modern design, the Huawei nova 11 Pro may be a better fit.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: If you are conscious of the price, the Huawei nova 11 Pro will likely be a better option because of its newer release.
- Scenario 5: Apple Ecosystem: If you already own a bunch of Apple products and want to stay in the same ecosystem, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the way to go.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would likely pick the Huawei nova 11 Pro. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers superior performance and a better overall camera, my use case is more aligned with the Huawei’s strengths. I value the convenience of a fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking, the smoother display experience due to the 120Hz refresh rate, and the significantly faster 100W charging, especially on days when I’m constantly on the go. The lighter design also makes it more comfortable to hold for long periods and carry around. While I acknowledge the older chipset and potentially less versatile camera system, the more modern features, and the balance between performance and battery life make it a more practical option for my everyday needs.
