Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive

The Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering from their respective ecosystems. This comparison isn't just about specs; it's about contrasting philosophies – a return to in-house silicon for Huawei against Apple’s continued refinement of its mobile platform. We’ll dissect the key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing seamless software integration, long-term support, and a refined camera experience, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the superior choice. However, the Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate offers a compelling alternative with its incredibly fast charging and unique design, appealing to those seeking a premium, independent experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A3106
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3106
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, September 252023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 28Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions163.7 x 79 x 8.1 mm (6.44 x 3.11 x 0.32 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight242 g or 246 g (8.54 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1260 x 2720 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~440 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 114.4 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120HzLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.62 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetKirin 9000S (7 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPUMaleoon 910 MP4Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSHarmonyOS 4.0 (China)iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Triple48 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR Vivid, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, Dolby Vision HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, HDR Vivid4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging88W wired, 100% in 30 min 50W wireless 20W reverse wirelessWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, RedBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsALN-AL10A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 1550 EUR€ 758.79 / $ 579.87 / £ 628.29
SAR-1.07 W/kg (head)     1.11 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate

  • Incredibly fast 88W wired charging
  • Unique and premium design
  • 50W wireless charging and 20W reverse wireless
  • Independent ecosystem

  • Older 7nm chipset compared to A17 Pro
  • Software ecosystem limitations
  • Limited global availability
  • Lack of detailed camera specifications

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Industry-leading A17 Pro performance
  • Exceptional camera and video recording
  • Seamless software integration and long-term support
  • Bright and efficient LTPO display

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Huawei
  • Limited customization options
  • Ecosystem lock-in
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a peak brightness of 1787 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Mate 60 RS Ultimate’s display specs aren’t provided, Huawei typically employs high-quality OLED panels. The iPhone’s LTPO technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz, optimizing battery life. The absence of detailed display specs for the Huawei device makes a direct comparison challenging, but Apple’s measured brightness provides a clear advantage in outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is renowned for its exceptional video recording capabilities and computational photography. While specific sensor details for the Mate 60 RS Ultimate are unavailable, Huawei has a strong track record in camera technology. The iPhone’s image processing prioritizes natural colors and dynamic range, while Huawei often leans towards more saturated and stylized images. The iPhone’s advanced stabilization and ProRes video recording are key differentiators. Without detailed camera specs for the Huawei device, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Apple’s established camera system holds a strong advantage.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s 3nm A17 Pro (Hexa-core, 2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) versus Huawei’s 7nm Kirin 9000S (Octa-core, 1x2.62 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510). The A17 Pro’s smaller node promises superior power efficiency and transistor density, translating to higher performance and reduced thermal throttling. The Kirin 9000S, while a significant achievement given US sanctions, is inherently limited by its older manufacturing process. The A17 Pro’s GPU is also expected to significantly outperform the Kirin’s, making it the clear choice for demanding gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. The iPhone 15 Pro Max benefits from faster LPDDR5X RAM, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves an impressive 16:01h of active use and an endurance rating of 118h, demonstrating excellent battery life. The Mate 60 RS Ultimate compensates with significantly faster charging: 88W wired (100% in 30 min), 50W wireless, and 20W reverse wireless. The iPhone offers 50% charge in 30 minutes with wired PD2.0, 15W wireless (MagSafe/Qi2), and a meager 4.5W reverse wired. While the iPhone excels in longevity, the Mate 60 RS Ultimate’s charging speed is unmatched, offering a substantial convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate if you need blazing-fast 88W wired and 50W wireless charging, value a distinctive design aesthetic, and are comfortable operating within the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize a polished user experience, industry-leading video recording capabilities, and a robust app ecosystem with guaranteed software updates for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000S chipset suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm manufacturing process, the Kirin 9000S is more susceptible to thermal throttling compared to the A17 Pro’s 3nm chip. While Huawei employs cooling solutions, prolonged intensive tasks will likely result in performance degradation. The A17 Pro’s efficiency mitigates this issue.
❓ How does the 50W wireless charging of the Mate 60 RS Ultimate compare to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's MagSafe charging in real-world scenarios?
The Mate 60 RS Ultimate’s 50W wireless charging is significantly faster than the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 15W MagSafe. Expect a full wireless charge in under an hour with the Huawei, while the iPhone will take considerably longer. This makes the Huawei ideal for users who frequently rely on wireless charging.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate a major inconvenience for most users?
The absence of GMS is a significant consideration. Users reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps will need to utilize workarounds or Huawei’s AppGallery, which has a smaller app selection. This limitation may be a dealbreaker for many, but Huawei is actively expanding its ecosystem.
❓ What is the impact of the Taishan cores in the Kirin 9000S on performance compared to standard ARM Cortex cores?
Huawei’s Taishan cores are based on the ARMv8 architecture but are designed in-house. They aim to improve performance and efficiency, but independent benchmarks suggest they don't consistently outperform Apple's custom cores in the A17 Pro. The A17 Pro's architectural advantages and 3nm process give it a clear edge.