1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 157.6 × 74.3 × 8 mm | iPhone 12 Pro Max is slightly taller and wider but thinner; Pura 70 is more compact overall and thicker. |
| Weight | 228g | 207g | Pura 70 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a marginally larger display area. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1256x2760 | Minimal difference in sharpness; both offer excellent visual fidelity. |
| PPI | 458 | 460 | Essentially identical pixel density for crisp visuals. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use vibrant OLED technology with great contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pura 70 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Kirin 9000S1 | Different architectures; iPhone A14 has better benchmark results. |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 768,000 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has better raw processing power. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Maleoon 910 (8-core) | Different GPU configurations; Apple's shows better performance in benchmarks |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 4900mAh | Pura 70 offers considerably longer battery life due to higher capacity. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Pura 70 charges much faster. |
| Features | MagSafe & Qi Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless, Reverse Charging | Pura 70 provides fast wireless charging & power sharing. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70 µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1.20 µm | Pura 70 captures more detail; wider aperture on Pura 70 allows more light. |
| Selfie | 12MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Pura 70 has a slightly higher resolution, iPhone has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/3.4 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a better telephoto aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.40µm | 13MP, f/2.2 | Pura 70 has slightly higher resolution and wider aperture. |
| Video | 4K@60fps HDR | 4K, 960fps Slow-Mo | iPhone offers wider range of high-quality video recording options, while Pura 70 has superior slow-motion. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 131, Selfie: 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro Max has higher ratings for camera quality, while Pura 70 is untested. |
| Features | OIS, RAW, Night Mode | OIS, RAW, Night Mode, Laser AF, Dual Front Camera | Pura 70 has advanced focus and front camera system features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradeable to iOS 18) | Unknown | Different ecosystems. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Display | Pura 70 has features for easy wireless content sharing |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2, LDAC, AAC, SBC | Pura 70 provides better audio codecs |
| GPS | Multiple constellations | More constellations, dual-frequency | Pura 70 has potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | Pura 70 has physical SIM redundancy, while iPhone uses eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Pura 70 has an option for 1TB of storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | Pura 70 is better for multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | No way to expand storage on either phone. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos | iPhone 12 Pro Max has slightly more advanced audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Fingerprint Sensor | Pura 70 offers more robust biometric security |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Gravity, Hall, RGB, Accelerometer | Pura 70 has more sensors and biometric authentication |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: Higher benchmark scores suggest better performance for intensive tasks and smoother operation within the iOS ecosystem.
- Established Camera Reputation: While specs differ, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has DXOMark scores showing good photo and video quality and reliable performance with proven consistency.
- Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Slightly Larger Display: Offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and multitasking.
- Advanced Audio Features: Features like Dolby Digital Plus provide a superior audio experience for music and videos.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher refresh rate and brightness improve smoothness and outdoor visibility significantly.
- Much Better Battery Life: Larger battery capacity combined with potentially more efficient chipset for longer usage.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging and 50W wireless charging allow significantly faster top-ups.
- More Versatile Camera: Higher resolution main sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance. Also includes additional camera features like Laser AF and dual front cameras.
- More Storage and RAM: Up to 1TB storage and 12GB of RAM for storing more data and smoother operation in demanding apps.
- Newer Technology: Newer Bluetooth version with advanced audio codecs and newer GPS for better location tracking.
- Advanced Security: Fingerprint sensor included for enhanced biometric security.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Smaller battery, slower charging, lower refresh rate display, potentially outdated processor compared to current flagship standards and lacks a fingerprint sensor.
- Huawei Pura 70: Older chipset, lower benchmark scores and lack of DXOMark scores for the camera. Also unknown OS details, and a more limited ecosystem.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ecosystem Loyalists: Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem who value seamless integration and consistent experience.
- Content Creators: Users who prioritize high-quality video recording and editing capabilities, with reliable and simple performance.
- Users who value proven camera performance: Those who prioritize reliable and consistent picture and video quality.
- Those who prefer a more established and tested operating system.
Use Cases:
- Professionals working within the Apple ecosystem, using iMessage, iCloud, and other Apple services extensively.
- Social media influencers and content creators who rely on reliable video recording capabilities, with good color science and easy to edit videos.
- Users seeking a smooth, consistent experience.
Ideal User for Huawei Pura 70:
- Power Users: Users who demand long battery life, fast charging, and high performance for multitasking and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want more control over their photos, potentially utilizing RAW capabilities and advanced focusing features.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize smooth, bright displays and enjoy using their phone for watching videos.
- Users who are not heavily invested in Apple’s ecosystem and are comfortable with a different user experience and software system.
Use Cases:
- Travelers and outdoor adventurers needing long-lasting battery life and excellent outdoor display visibility.
- Mobile gamers looking for the smoothest performance from the display and ample RAM.
- Photographers who want creative control and the flexibility of advanced camera features
- Users who need additional biometric security
Price-to-Value:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max is an older model, so you may find better deals.
- Pura 70 is a newer phone but may carry a premium price tag
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Which ecosystem am I heavily invested in? (Apple vs. other)
- How much do I prioritize battery life and fast charging? (Crucial for Pura 70)
- Do I prefer a consistent and established camera or one with more features? (iPhone vs Pura 70)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize ecosystem integration and consistent video, choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It offers a reliable and polished user experience, excellent video capabilities, and a seamless workflow within Apple's services.
- If you prioritize battery life, faster charging, superior display, and cutting-edge camera features, choose the Huawei Pura 70. It offers better battery endurance, a more vibrant display, and advanced camera capabilities, but may lack the polished performance.
- If you're on a budget, look into the resale market for an iPhone 12 Pro Max and see if its price point meets your needs.
My Choice and Why:
If I had to choose, I would personally lean towards the Huawei Pura 70. Here's why:
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a well-established ecosystem and excellent video recording capabilities, the Pura 70's advantages in key areas are more compelling for my personal use. The combination of a 120Hz display with 2500 nits of brightness would be a game-changer for outdoor use, and the larger battery combined with 65W fast charging would alleviate my need for constant power management. Additionally, the upgraded camera and more flexible shooting modes appeal to my use cases and needs. The extra RAM would also greatly benefit my multitasking needs and gaming.
While the Apple A14 is powerful, the Kirin 9000S1, coupled with the 12GB of RAM and larger battery, makes a much better choice for a daily phone for me. Even though the DXOMark ratings would make it sound as if the iPhone has a better camera, the Pura 70 has more versatility with the additional features and the wider aperture lens and larger main sensor.
My main use cases involve outdoor photography, video capture and editing, and a lot of media consumption; The Pura 70 fits these needs more closely than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
