Huawei Mate 60 Pro Max vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Chipset and Camera Showdown

The Huawei Mate 60 Pro Max represents a significant technological leap for the company, particularly given geopolitical constraints, while the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max continues to refine Apple’s established formula. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two flagship devices, focusing on their processing power, camera capabilities, and charging technologies, to determine which offers the best experience for discerning users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a seamless ecosystem and consistently optimized software, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max remains the superior choice. However, the Huawei Mate 60 Pro Max delivers impressive performance with its Kirin 9000S and boasts significantly faster charging, appealing to users seeking innovation and independence from established platforms.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 60 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 bands-1, 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, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, August 292023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 10Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions161.4 x 76 x 8 mm (6.35 x 2.99 x 0.31 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)
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~441 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.69 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~88.4% 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 4.0iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB 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)
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 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)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, Display Port 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
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 30 min 50W wireless 5W 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 4750 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Green, PurpleBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsALN-AL00, BRA-AL00A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 750 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

  • Blazing-fast 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Impressive Kirin 9000S chipset given constraints
  • Potentially innovative software features

  • Software ecosystem less mature than iOS
  • Potential concerns regarding app availability
  • Performance lags behind the A17 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance with the A17 Pro chipset
  • Mature and optimized iOS ecosystem
  • Industry-leading camera quality and video recording

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Mate 60 Pro Max
  • Less customization options compared to Android
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a peak brightness of 1787 nits, providing excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the Mate 60 Pro Max’s display specifications aren’t provided, Huawei typically employs high-quality OLED panels. The iPhone’s LTPO technology allows for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life, a feature likely present in the Mate 60 Pro Max as well. The iPhone’s superior brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use, while both devices likely offer excellent color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is renowned for its exceptional photo and video capabilities, leveraging advanced computational photography. While specific sensor details for the Mate 60 Pro Max 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 vibrant and saturated images. The A17 Pro’s image signal processor (ISP) provides superior video encoding and stabilization. Without detailed sensor information for the Mate 60 Pro Max, it’s difficult to definitively assess its camera performance, but the iPhone likely holds an edge in overall consistency and video quality.

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 and architectural advantages translate to significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance. The Kirin 9000S, despite its limitations, is a remarkable achievement given US sanctions, but it cannot match the A17 Pro’s raw power. The iPhone’s LPDDR5X RAM further enhances performance, while the Mate 60 Pro Max’s RAM specifications are unknown. Thermal management will be crucial for the Kirin 9000S to sustain performance under load.

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 Pro Max compensates with significantly faster charging: 66W wired (100% in 30 min), 50W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless. The iPhone offers 50% charge in 30 minutes with wired PD2.0 and 15W wireless charging (MagSafe/Qi2). While the iPhone excels in longevity, the Mate 60 Pro Max’s charging speed is a game-changer for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The 4.5W reverse wired charging on the iPhone is significantly slower than the Mate 60 Pro Max’s 5W offering.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 60 Pro Max if you need blazing-fast charging speeds (66W wired, 50W wireless) and are comfortable with a potentially different software experience. It’s ideal for users who value hardware innovation and aren’t deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prefer a polished, user-friendly experience, a mature app ecosystem, and long-term software support. It’s the better choice for content creators and those who prioritize camera consistency and video recording capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000S chipset overheat during prolonged gaming sessions on the Huawei Mate 60 Pro Max?
Given the 7nm process and the chipset's architecture, thermal throttling is a potential concern during extended gaming. Huawei likely employs aggressive cooling solutions, but the A17 Pro’s 3nm process offers inherent thermal advantages. Real-world testing is needed to determine the extent of throttling on the Mate 60 Pro Max.
❓ How does the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging compare to the Mate 60 Pro Max’s 50W wireless charging?
While MagSafe and Qi2 offer convenience, they are limited to 15W. The Mate 60 Pro Max’s 50W wireless charging is significantly faster, allowing for a substantial battery top-up in a shorter amount of time. This makes the Mate 60 Pro Max a better choice for users who frequently rely on wireless charging.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 60 Pro Max a significant drawback for most users?
The absence of GMS means users cannot directly access Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps without workarounds. Huawei’s AppGallery is growing, but it lacks the breadth and depth of the Google Play Store. This is a major consideration for users heavily reliant on Google services.
❓ What are the benefits of the A17 Pro’s dedicated AV1 decode engine for streaming video on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The AV1 decode engine allows for more efficient streaming of AV1-encoded video content, resulting in lower data usage and improved battery life. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently stream high-resolution videos from services like Netflix and YouTube.