1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2021-08-12 | Huawei is ~9 months newer, potentially having more up-to-date features. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 158.8 x 72.8 x 8.5 mm | iPhone is taller and wider; Huawei is thicker. Huawei is more compact overall, better for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 228g | 195g | Huawei is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | iPhone has a slightly larger display, offering slightly more viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1228 x 2700 | iPhone has a moderately sharper display, although the difference is likely negligible in daily use. |
| PPI | 458 | 450 | Both have very similar pixel density; screens will appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of OLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei offers smoother scrolling and animations, which improves perceived fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone has much better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight; Huawei's is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Different chipsets; Apple's is known for optimization and efficiency, Huawei's is also powerful but with more limitations |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 697,566 | iPhone has a higher benchmark score; likely means faster app loading and better multitasking performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G78 MP24 | Different GPU configurations, which impact graphics performance in games; iPhone's is better in this case. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687 mAh | 4360 mAh | Huawei has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Huawei charges significantly faster, reducing wait times. |
| Features | MagSafe & Qi wireless charging | 50W wireless & reverse wireless charging | Huawei provides a more versatile wireless charging experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Huawei has a higher resolution sensor for more detailed photos; iPhone has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a slightly higher resolution for selfies; iPhone has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" | 64MP, f/3.4, 1/2" | Huawei offers a much higher resolution telephoto for more detail in zoomed photos; Huawei has a larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55" | Not Available | iPhone has a dedicated wide-angle camera. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | Huawei has a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White | Not Available | 40MP, f/1.6, 1/1.7" | Huawei has a dedicated black and white sensor, improving monochrome photography. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps HDR | Up to 4K 60fps EIS | Both offer high-quality video; iPhone with HDR, Huawei with EIS. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 131 | 143 | Huawei has a significantly higher score, which indicates better overall image quality. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | 144 | Huawei has a higher score, indicating better selfie quality overall. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera | Quadruple Camera | Huawei has more camera lenses, offering diverse photography options |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Different operating systems; iOS has its own ecosystem while the Huawei's OS isn't specified, potentially with restrictions. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Similar Wi-Fi connectivity; Huawei has more direct connection capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially better connection stability and power efficiency |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei supports more satellite systems; for higher accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone offers the convenience of eSIM; Huawei supports two physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB/12GB | Huawei has more RAM for better multitasking and handling of demanding tasks. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos | iPhone offers slightly enhanced spatial audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Fingerprint Sensor | Huawei offers biometric security via fingerprint sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is unspecified. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Huawei has a more comprehensive sensor suite, enhancing advanced features and gaming experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: Significantly higher Antutu score implies better overall performance, app loading, and graphics capabilities.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits of brightness makes the screen much more visible in bright, sunny conditions.
- Wider Aperture in Main Camera: Better low-light performance in the primary camera.
- Dolby Digital Plus Audio: Offers enhanced audio experience with more spatial audio.
- Established Ecosystem: Smooth integration with other Apple products and services.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched almost 9 months after the iPhone, potentially benefiting from more recent technology.
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold and use, particularly for smaller hands.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid and responsive user experience.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer battery life and quicker charging times for less downtime.
- More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto, wide-angle + macro and a black and white sensor offer more creative options.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark scores indicate superior image and video quality.
- More RAM: Better multitasking due to higher RAM.
- Biometric Security: Includes a physical fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone: Sacrifices battery capacity and charging speed for raw performance and a brighter display, potentially with more restriction on its software.
- Huawei: Trades some overall performance for a more versatile camera, faster charging, and a smoother display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ideal User: Power users who prioritize raw performance, excellent screen visibility in sunlight, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who require high frame rates and smooth performance.
- Outdoor photographers and videographers needing a bright, dependable screen.
- Users deeply invested in Apple services.
- Professionals who require fast performance for productivity apps.
- Price-to-Value: May be considered less value-oriented considering that its older and lacks the newest technologies compared to the Huawei.
Huawei P50 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who value a versatile camera system, fast charging, smooth display, and a lighter more ergonomic design.
- Use Cases:
- Photography enthusiasts who want diverse shooting modes and high image quality.
- Users who prioritize a fast charging phone with a longer battery.
- People who prefer a smooth, responsive experience for daily tasks.
- Users who value advanced sensor capabilities for gaming and other advanced features.
- Price-to-Value: Offers better camera performance and more features for a potentially comparable price making it a great value proposition.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs. Camera: Do you prioritize the fastest overall performance and a brighter display (iPhone), or a more versatile camera and smoother display (Huawei)?
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you invested in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone) or more open to other options (Huawei)?
- Battery and Charging Needs: Do you need the fastest charging and longest battery (Huawei) or is decent battery with wireless charging sufficient (iPhone)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User & Apple Fan: If you need the best possible performance and are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 12 Pro Max remains a solid choice.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you want the best possible camera quality and versatility for photos and videos, plus fast charging, the Huawei P50 Pro is a better pick.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: If you value smooth user experience, comfort, and longer battery life, the Huawei P50 Pro is a great option with the smoother display.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious: Both phones are premium, but if price is a significant factor, research the current market prices as both devices are old which may make them much more affordable today compared to release, and compare the price against the benefits you're receiving.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones today, I would lean towards the Huawei P50 Pro. My reasoning is as follows:
- Camera Versatility and Quality: The significantly higher DxOMark score, the inclusion of a dedicated telephoto, macro, and black-and-white lenses, along with its larger sensors, provides more creative flexibility and better image quality than the iPhone.
- Battery Life and Charging: The larger battery and 66W fast charging would suit my usage patterns better. I don't want to be caught without battery, and fast charging is a major convenience.
- Smoother User Experience: The 120Hz refresh rate display is a feature I value daily; smoother animations and scrolling are more important to me than the raw performance edge of the iPhone.
- Ergonomics: The lighter and more compact body of the Huawei is preferable for comfortable, one-handed use.
- Price to value: Given that both devices are old, the Huawei offers better camera quality and more value for potentially a similar price.
While I acknowledge the raw performance advantage of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the P50 Pro's superior camera capabilities, smoother display, faster charging, and more ergonomic design align better with my personal priorities as an everyday user and photography enthusiast. The lack of confirmed brightness and Huawei's current restrictions on its software are negatives to consider, but the other advantages outweigh the negatives in my personal usage case.
