Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering from their respective ecosystems. This comparison isn't simply about Android versus iOS; it's a clash of chip architectures, camera philosophies, and charging technologies, all vying for the title of ultimate flagship. With Huawei regaining prominence and Apple refining its formula, the stakes are higher than ever.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing seamless software integration and consistently excellent performance, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the safer bet. However, the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ offers significantly faster charging and a potentially unique camera experience, appealing to power users willing to navigate a different software landscape.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ 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
Announced2024, November 262023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, titanium alloy frameGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions164.6 x 79.5 x 8.3 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.33 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)
Weight226 g (7.97 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1316 x 2832 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 117.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSHarmonyOS 4.3iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
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)
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.1, 93mm (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, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@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, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@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, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (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/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging100W wired 80W wireless 20W reverse wireless 18W reverse wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5700 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, White, GreenBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsPLA-AL10A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 1120 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 70 Pro+

  • Significantly faster 100W wired charging
  • 80W wireless charging and 20W reverse wireless
  • Potentially innovative camera technology (Huawei's history)

  • HarmonyOS ecosystem may not appeal to all users
  • Chipset fabrication process (7nm) is less advanced than A17 Pro (3nm)

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Polished and intuitive iOS ecosystem
  • Industry-leading A17 Pro chipset performance
  • Excellent video recording capabilities

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Mate 70 Pro+
  • Limited reverse charging functionality

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a measured peak brightness of 1787 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Mate 70 Pro+’s display specifications are not provided, Huawei typically employs high-quality OLED panels. The iPhone’s LTPO technology allows for a variable refresh rate, optimizing battery life, a feature likely present in the Mate 70 Pro+ as well. The iPhone’s color accuracy is renowned, and the Mate 70 Pro+ will need to match this level of calibration to compete effectively. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both devices, contributing to an immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are expected to deliver exceptional camera performance, but their approaches differ. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is known for its consistent image processing and excellent video capabilities. The Mate 70 Pro+’s camera specifications are not detailed, but Huawei has a history of pushing boundaries with sensor technology and computational photography. The absence of specific sensor details for the Mate 70 Pro+ makes a direct comparison difficult, but Huawei often prioritizes large sensors and advanced image stabilization. The iPhone’s strength lies in its video recording, while the Mate 70 Pro+ may excel in low-light photography and zoom capabilities. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lens found on many smartphones, the focus should be on the main and ultrawide sensors.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A17 Pro (3nm) versus Huawei’s Kirin 9020 (7nm). The A17 Pro’s 3nm process provides a significant advantage in power efficiency and transistor density, translating to superior performance and thermal management. The A17 Pro’s hexa-core configuration (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) contrasts with the Kirin 9020’s octa-core setup (1x2.5 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510). While core count isn’t everything, the A17 Pro’s architectural advantages and smaller node size will likely result in faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. 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 active use score, demonstrating excellent battery life. While the Mate 70 Pro+’s battery capacity is unknown, its charging capabilities are a standout feature. 100W wired charging allows for a significantly faster full charge compared to the iPhone’s PD2.0 charging (50% in 30 min). The Mate 70 Pro+ also offers 80W wireless charging and 20W reverse wireless charging, features the iPhone lacks. The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports 15W wireless charging (MagSafe/Qi2) and a meager 4.5W reverse wired charging. The Mate 70 Pro+'s charging speed is a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ if you need blazing-fast 100W charging, value reverse wireless charging capabilities, and are comfortable with the HarmonyOS ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize a polished user experience, long-term software support, and a mature app ecosystem, alongside a proven track record of camera performance and efficient power management.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 Pro+ generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The 7nm fabrication process of the Kirin 9020 is less efficient than the A17 Pro’s 3nm process, potentially leading to higher temperatures under sustained load. Huawei likely employs advanced cooling solutions to mitigate this, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to maintain lower temperatures due to its more efficient chipset.
❓ How does the reverse wireless charging on the Mate 70 Pro+ compare to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in practical use?
The Mate 70 Pro+’s 20W reverse wireless charging is significantly more powerful than the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 4.5W reverse wired charging. This means the Mate 70 Pro+ can more effectively charge accessories like earbuds or smartwatches, while the iPhone’s reverse charging is primarily for emergency situations.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ a significant drawback for most users?
The absence of GMS means users will rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and alternative app sources. While AppGallery has expanded, it still lacks some popular apps readily available on the Google Play Store. This is a major consideration for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem.
❓ What real-world charging time can I expect from the Mate 70 Pro+'s 100W wired charging?
With 100W wired charging, the Mate 70 Pro+ is expected to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 30-40 minutes, significantly faster than the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 30 minutes to 50%.