Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Huawei P60 Pro. This is an interesting matchup, as both phones represent top-tier engineering, but cater to different strengths and user needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Huawei P60 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm | 161 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | The P60 Pro is noticeably larger, which can make one-handed use more challenging but offers a more immersive viewing experience. The iPhone 13 Pro is more compact for those preferring portability. |
| Weight | 204g | 200g | Negligible difference in weight; both phones are on the heavier side due to premium materials, but the difference is hardly noticeable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | The P60 Pro's larger screen is ideal for media consumption and gaming; the iPhone 13 Pro's smaller display is more pocket-friendly. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1220x2700 | P60 Pro has a slight edge in sharpness but both are incredibly crisp, though you will hardly notice the difference in daily use. |
| PPI | 460 | 444 | Both phones offer very high pixel densities for sharp and clear displays. Differences are minor. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors due to OLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations for both, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 13 Pro is much better for use under direct sunlight. The Huawei P60 Pro specs indicate zero brightness, which is almost certainly an error, but does not provide the full value. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | The iPhone 13 Pro delivers slightly better benchmark performance, but both phones are fast and responsive in daily tasks. The Snapdragon in the Huawei P60 Pro is limited to 4G. |
| Antutu Score | 1,325,768 | 1,228,811 | iPhone 13 Pro shows higher benchmark scores, but in daily use, both are incredibly smooth. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 730 | Both offer top-tier graphics performance, handling even the most demanding mobile games with ease. Apple has a slight edge in GPU benchmarks due to it's tightly optimized hardware and software integration. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 3125 mAh | 4815 mAh | The P60 Pro's significantly larger battery should translate to longer battery life. However, the battery life is greatly dependant on the phone's software optimization, user habits and other factors. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion | 88W fast charging, Li-Polymer | The P60 Pro charges much faster, which can be a game-changer for many users. |
| Charging Features | MagSafe 15W, 7.5W Qi wireless | 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless | The iPhone 13 Pro offers MagSafe compatibility for easy wireless charging. The P60 Pro offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66" Sony IMX703, 1.9µm | 48MP, f/1.4, 1/1.4" Sony IMX888, 1.17µm | The P60 Pro captures more detail due to the higher resolution sensor and its wider aperture. Its larger sensor provides better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514, No Pixel Size | 31MP, f/2.4, No Sensor Model, No Pixel Size | The P60 Pro selfie camera has a higher resolution, but the iPhone 13 Pro has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Camera | 12MP, f/2.8, Sony IMX713, 1.00 µm pixel size | 48MP, f/2.1, Omnivision, No Pixel Size | The P60 Pro has higher resolution, wider aperture, likely offering better zoom capabilities and low light performance. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX772, 1.00 µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.2, No Sensor Model, No Pixel Size | The P60 Pro has higher resolution, but the iPhone 13 Pro has a wider aperture, enabling better low-light performance. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes, Sony IMX590 | No | The iPhone 13 Pro has a dedicated ToF sensor for depth information |
| Video | Up to 4K 60FPS with HDR | Up to 4K 60FPS, EIS | Both offer high-quality video capture, but the iPhone includes HDR video capabilities across different frame rates. The P60 Pro includes EIS (electronic image stabilization). |
| DxOMark Score | 141 Mobile, 134 Selfie | 156 Mobile | The Huawei P60 Pro has a significantly higher score on DxOMark, particularly in the photo category, indicating superior image quality for mobile photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 15 (Upgradable to 18) | No Information | iOS offers a very smooth user experience and tight integration. The Huawei P60 Pro specs lacks OS information. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Direct, Display | Both are Wi-Fi 6 ready, the Huawei P60 Pro offers additional functionality. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, AAC, A2DP | 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | The P60 Pro uses a newer standard, offering additional Bluetooth audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The P60 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM. The iPhone offers an eSIM option, which is better for digital SIM switching, while the P60 Pro is limited to Nano SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB | The iPhone 13 Pro offers a greater maximum storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB or 12GB | The P60 Pro has more RAM for better multi-tasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 13 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Ecosystem Integration: iOS provides a seamless experience for those invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Performance: A15 Bionic offers excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Display: Superior outdoor visibility due to the 1200 nits of brightness and excellent color accuracy.
- Video: Amazing video recording quality, especially with its HDR capabilities.
- Software Updates: Apple provides regular updates for many years
- MagSafe Great charging capabilities
- Competitive Advantages: Superior user interface integration, amazing video capabilities, and ecosystem advantages.
- Trade-offs: Smaller battery, slower charging speed, and no expandable storage.
Huawei P60 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Camera: Higher resolution sensors, particularly in main and telephoto lenses, and a significantly better DxOMark score.
- Battery: Larger battery capacity and much faster charging speed.
- Ram Offers more RAM for better multi-tasking performance.
- Competitive Advantages: Exceptional camera performance, impressive battery life and faster charging.
- Trade-offs: No information on OS. No information on screen protection, and no expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Apple iPhone 13 Pro is best for:
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Those who heavily rely on Apple’s services and other Apple devices.
- Video Creators: Users who prioritize high-quality video recording and editing.
- Performance Enthusiasts: Individuals who want a great combination of hardware and software with a proven track record.
Huawei P60 Pro is best for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want the best mobile photography experience with great camera versatility.
- Heavy Users: People who need long battery life and fast charging for uninterrupted use.
- Android Users Users that prefer the Android experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
- How important is video recording and ecosystem integration to you? If you heavily rely on Apple services and are focused on video capabilities, the iPhone 13 Pro is the way to go.
- Are long battery life and fast charging critical for your daily use? If your priority is battery endurance and speedy charging, the P60 Pro is a better choice.
- Do you prioritize advanced camera technology? If capturing high-quality photos with versatile zoom capabilities is key for you, the P60 Pro excels here.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Tech-Savvy Professional: If you’re in a corporate environment, have existing Apple devices, and value a consistent, reliable experience, the iPhone 13 Pro is the smarter option.
- For the Social Media Influencer: If you need impressive photography and long battery life for content creation, the Huawei P60 Pro would serve you better.
- For the Power User: If you need fast charging, a large battery, and don't have to be tied down to any specific operating system, the P60 Pro could be a more compelling option.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would lean towards the Huawei P60 Pro. Here's why:
My personal focus is on the quality of the photography, and the P60 Pro's camera performance, especially with the DxOMark scores, is hard to ignore. I also appreciate the larger battery and faster charging as someone who uses their phone heavily throughout the day. While the Apple ecosystem is compelling, the advancements in the P60 Pro's hardware and camera are more exciting and align better with my priorities. The lack of operating system details for the Huawei P60 Pro does raise a red flag however.
