Honor X8a vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Honor X8a
Honor X8a
Honor

General

Launch Date February 11, 2023 September 22, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 91.02 cm³ 101.79 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.74 "/g 3.03 "/g
Weight 179 g 221 g
Height 162.9 mm 159.9 mm
Width 74.5 mm 76.7 mm
Thickness 7.5 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Midnight Black
  • Titanium Silver
  • Cyan Lake
  • Black Titanium
  • White Titanium
  • Blue Titanium
  • Natural Titanium

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2388 1290 x 2796
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.6 % 89.8 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 1000 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 2000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.25 mAh/in² 98.93 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.44 mAh/cm³ 43.63 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 4441 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
GPU Mali-G52 MC2 Apple GPU (6-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, Gen 2, DisplayPort

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 12 17
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureHonor X8aApple iPhone 15 Pro MaxPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)162.9 x 74.5 x 7.5159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly shorter, wider, and thicker, but the differences are minimal in hand.
Weight (g)179221The iPhone 15 Pro Max is significantly heavier, potentially noticeable during extended use.
Build MaterialsNot specifiedTitanium frame, glass backLack of information on Honor X8a build makes comparison difficult. iPhone's titanium frame offers superior durability.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDiPhone offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and brighter highlights due to OLED technology.
Display Size (inches)6.76.7Same screen size.
Resolution1080 x 23881290 x 2796iPhone has a sharper display with higher pixel density, leading to clearer text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)90120iPhone's 120Hz adaptive refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing user experience.
HDRNo Dolby VisionDolby Vision, HDR10iPhone supports HDR content for a more dynamic and immersive viewing experience.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G88 (12nm)Apple A17 Pro (3nm)The A17 Pro is significantly more powerful, resulting in much faster performance in demanding tasks, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)iPhone's CPU offers significantly higher clock speeds and a more efficient architecture, translating to superior performance.
GPUMali-G52 MC2Apple GPU (6-core)Apple's custom GPU provides superior graphics performance for gaming and other visually demanding applications.
RAM6GB/8GB8GBWhile both offer ample RAM for most tasks, the iPhone's optimized OS may make better use of its RAM.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)10048iPhone's 48MP sensor with advanced features like sensor-shift stabilization and ProRAW capture offers significantly better image quality, especially in low light.
Ultrawide (MP)512iPhone boasts a higher resolution ultrawide lens for improved image quality and detail.
TelephotoNo12MP (5x optical zoom)iPhone offers optical zoom capability for capturing distant subjects without quality loss. Honor X8a relies on digital zoom.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps with HDR, Dolby VisioniPhone offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, frame rates, and HDR support.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)45004441Similar battery capacities, but real-world battery life depends heavily on optimization and usage patterns.
Fast Charging22.5W27W (claimed)iPhone 15 Pro Max supports faster charging, although real-world differences may be less significant than the numbers suggest.
Wireless ChargingNoYes (MagSafe and Qi)iPhone offers wireless charging convenience.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Honor X8a Advantages:

  • Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
  • Potentially Longer Battery Life: Slightly larger battery capacity, though real-world usage will vary.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Higher Quality Display: OLED technology with HDR and higher refresh rate delivers a much better visual experience.
  • Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, optical zoom, and superior video recording capabilities.
  • Premium Build Quality: Titanium frame offers enhanced durability.
  • Software Updates: Apple's consistent and long-term software updates ensure security and new features for years.
  • Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.

Trade-offs:

  • Price: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is significantly more expensive.
  • Weight: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is noticeably heavier.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Honor X8a:

  • Budget-conscious users: Ideal for those seeking a basic smartphone with essential features at an affordable price.
  • Light users: Suitable for those primarily using their phone for calling, texting, social media browsing, and light photography.

iPhone 15 Pro Max:

  • Power users: Ideal for demanding tasks, gaming, and professional content creation.
  • Photography enthusiasts: Excellent for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
  • Users prioritizing premium experience: Those valuing a smooth, responsive user experience with a top-tier display and build quality.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The price difference is substantial.
  2. What are your primary smartphone usage patterns? Consider your needs for performance, camera quality, and display quality.
  3. How important are software updates and ecosystem integration?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Limited budget, basic needs: Honor X8a
  • Demanding tasks, gaming, or professional content creation: iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Best camera and display quality: iPhone 15 Pro Max

My Choice: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

While the Honor X8a offers good value for its price, the iPhone 15 Pro Max's superior performance, display, camera system, and long-term software support make it the better choice for me. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, high-quality content consumption and creation, and the longevity that comes with Apple's ecosystem. The significant price difference is justified by the substantial improvements in key areas that impact daily usage. The heavier weight is a minor trade-off for the overall premium experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.