Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | iPhone is wider; Huawei is taller and thicker, making it feel slightly bulkier in hand |
| Weight | 228g | 195g | Huawei is significantly lighter, improving comfort for extended use |
| Build | |||
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; both offer large viewing areas |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1080 x 2388 | iPhone has much sharper text and images, with noticeably higher detail |
| Pixel Density | 458 PPI | 391 PPI | iPhone displays finer details and sharper text |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone offers superior contrast, black levels, and color accuracy, better for media consumption |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in games |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone is much more usable outdoors, even under direct sunlight, while the Huawei will struggle outdoors |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | iPhone handles intensive tasks and games significantly faster and smoother |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 249,000 | iPhone is much more responsive for all tasks from app launching to gaming |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 | iPhone handles graphics intensive tasks significantly better, with smoother gaming experiences |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm | iPhone captures better low-light photos and video quality, while the Huawei has a higher resolution sensor |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | iPhone has more detail in selfies while Huawei can perform slightly better in low light |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | Not available | iPhone offers optical zoom capabilities, improving portrait and faraway shots |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | Not available | iPhone allows for wide shots for landscapes or group photos |
| Secondary Camera | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei offers macro capability with a dedicated sensor |
| Tertiary Camera | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei offers depth sensing for better portrait photos |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | iPhone has a higher video resolution and HDR capabilities for professional-quality video |
| DXOMARK Score (Mobile) | 131 | Not available | iPhone’s camera has been professionally rated for its photo and video quality |
| DXOMARK Score (Selfie) | 132 | Not available | iPhone's selfie camera quality is also very high according to DxOMark |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, PDAF | iPhone captures professional quality images and videos with additional features for different needs |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687 mAh | 5000 mAh | Huawei has a much larger battery, likely resulting in a longer battery life |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 40W fast charging | Huawei charges significantly faster, reducing downtime |
| Battery Features | MagSafe & Qi Wireless Charging | iPhone can be charged wirelessly with MagSafe and Qi wireless charging | |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Not Available | iPhone has a fluid OS and longer update support |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | iPhone has faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in congested networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | iPhone has a newer Bluetooth version, offering potential improvements in efficiency and connectivity |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone supports eSIM, allowing users to switch carriers digitally; Huawei supports two physical SIM cards |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | iPhone offers much greater storage options for media, apps and files |
| RAM | 6 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Huawei offers up to 8GB of RAM, good for intensive multitasking and gaming |
| Expandable | Not available | Not available | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | iPhone has enhanced audio and spatial experience for improved listening experience |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei offers convenient biometric security with a fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | iPhone offers environmental sensors, while the Huawei offers a fingerprint reader |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED technology, higher resolution, and higher brightness result in a significantly better visual experience, especially outdoors.
- Much Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers vastly superior processing power, making the phone significantly faster for all tasks, from gaming to multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto and wide-angle lenses, better video capabilities (up to 4K), and features like OIS and RAW capture result in much higher quality photos and videos
- Enhanced Audio: Superior speakers and Dolby Atmos support for a richer audio experience
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi Wireless Charging capabilities
- OS: iOS with longer update support
- eSIM Support: Can switch between carriers via eSIM.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers much better battery life, useful for those who need all-day usage.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging is much quicker than the iPhone's 20W charging.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 90Hz display offers smoother animations and scrolling.
- Lighter Weight: 33 grams lighter than the iPhone, making it more comfortable for extended use
- Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient and faster security with the side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Lower Price: It is generally a more budget-friendly option, making it accessible for more users
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Higher price, heavier weight, slower charging, and potentially shorter battery life.
- Huawei nova Y90: Significantly lower performance, lower display quality (especially outdoors), and a less advanced camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ideal Users: Professionals, content creators, media consumers, and those who prioritize performance, camera quality, and display quality. Users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem will find it seamless.
- Use Cases: Professional photography and videography, gaming, video editing, graphic design, multimedia consumption, and users who need a future-proof smartphone.
- Price-to-Value: Expensive but offers flagship performance and features
Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life, and need a phone for everyday tasks, browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Use Cases: Long battery life is critical for traveling or extended use away from a charger. The device is suitable for casual photography, social media browsing and basic apps.
- Price-to-Value: A more affordable option with a good battery life and large screen.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The iPhone is significantly more expensive, while the Huawei is a budget option.
- What do you prioritize most? Performance and display quality (iPhone), or battery life and affordability (Huawei)?
- What is your primary use case? Casual use and media consumption (Huawei) vs. performance-heavy tasks and professional media creation (iPhone)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max for its superior camera system, optical zoom, and 4K video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Huawei nova Y90 for its lower price, longer battery life, and decent performance for everyday tasks.
- Scenario 3: Performance Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max for its superior performance in gaming and smooth graphics, even though the Huawei provides a 90Hz refresh rate.
- Scenario 4: Heavy User who needs long Battery Life: The Huawei nova Y90 is the better choice with its large battery and fast charging.
My Choice and Why:
If I had to choose between these two, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. My reasoning is based on a few key factors.
First, the vastly superior performance of the A14 Bionic chip makes it significantly more future-proof. This is important for me as I like to use my devices for at least 3-4 years. Second, the OLED display is of higher quality. Lastly, the camera system is a big win for me, as I like to take photos and videos with great quality.
While the Huawei offers advantages in battery life and charging speed, these are not as important to me as having a great display, a good camera, and a snappy and smooth user experience.
I acknowledge that the iPhone is significantly more expensive and has a larger weight, but for my needs, the premium features it offers outweigh those disadvantages.
