Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering from their respective ecosystems. This comparison isn't simply about specs; it's about contrasting philosophies – Huawei's focus on rapid charging and a unique aesthetic versus Apple's emphasis on optimized software and a refined user experience. We'll dissect their core components to determine which device delivers the most compelling package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing seamless software integration and long-term ecosystem support, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the better choice. However, the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate’s blistering 100W charging and potentially unique camera processing offer a compelling alternative for those seeking cutting-edge hardware and aren't constrained by app availability.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 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
Announced2024, November 262023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, December 19Available. 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)
Weight251 g or 256 g (8.85 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass (basalt tempered)Ceramic 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)
TypeDual-layer LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3500 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz)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, 1080p4K@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, White, RedBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsPLU-AL10A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 1580 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 RS Ultimate

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired and 80W wireless charging
  • Potentially innovative camera processing algorithms
  • Unique and premium design aesthetic

  • App ecosystem limitations due to geopolitical factors
  • 7nm chipset may result in higher thermal throttling

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Seamless software integration and long-term updates
  • Exceptional performance thanks to the A17 Pro chip
  • Excellent camera system with natural image processing

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Mate 70 RS Ultimate
  • Less powerful reverse wireless charging

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 RS Ultimate’s display specs are not provided, Huawei typically employs high-quality OLED panels. The iPhone’s advantage lies in its precise color calibration and potentially a higher PWM dimming rate, reducing eye strain for sensitive users. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display technology is likely LTPO, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency, a feature we expect but haven't confirmed for the Huawei.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Mate 70 RS Ultimate, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Huawei has historically excelled in computational photography. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera system is renowned for its consistent image quality and excellent video recording capabilities. The larger sensor size on the iPhone 15 Pro Max (assumed, based on previous models) will likely capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The iPhone’s image processing prioritizes natural colors, while Huawei often leans towards more vibrant, saturated images. The absence of detailed camera information for the Mate 70 RS Ultimate makes a definitive judgment difficult, but its potential lies in innovative image processing algorithms.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A17 Pro (3nm) versus Huawei’s Kirin 9020 (7nm). The A17 Pro’s smaller node promises significantly improved power efficiency and transistor density, translating to superior performance per watt. The A17 Pro’s hexa-core configuration (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) is designed for both peak performance and sustained workloads. While the Kirin 9020’s octa-core setup (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) offers a broader range of cores, the 7nm process will likely result in higher thermal output under sustained load. The iPhone 15 Pro Max benefits from faster LPDDR5X RAM, further enhancing its performance capabilities.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves an impressive 16:01h of active use and an endurance rating of 118 hours, demonstrating excellent battery life. The Mate 70 RS Ultimate compensates for a potentially smaller battery with its revolutionary charging capabilities: 100W wired, 80W wireless, and even 20W reverse wireless. This allows for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the iPhone’s wired charging (50% in 30 min) and 15W wireless charging (MagSafe/Qi2). The Mate 70 RS Ultimate’s reverse wireless charging at 20W is significantly more powerful than the iPhone’s 4.5W offering, enabling faster charging of accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate if you need unparalleled charging speeds, appreciate a distinctive design, and are comfortable operating within the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize a polished user experience, access to a vast app library, and long-term software updates, and value a strong resale value.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 RS Ultimate overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The 7nm process of the Kirin 9020 is more prone to thermal throttling compared to the A17 Pro’s 3nm process. While Huawei employs advanced cooling solutions, extended gaming at maximum settings may result in performance drops to manage heat. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to maintain more consistent performance under sustained load.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) affect the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate user experience?
The absence of GMS means no direct access to Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Huawei’s AppGallery and alternative app sources offer replacements, but compatibility and functionality may vary. Users reliant on GMS will find the iPhone 15 Pro Max a more seamless experience.
❓ Is the 80W wireless charging on the Mate 70 RS Ultimate compatible with all Qi wireless chargers?
While the Mate 70 RS Ultimate supports Qi wireless charging, achieving the full 80W requires a compatible Huawei wireless charger. Standard Qi chargers will likely deliver significantly lower charging speeds. The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports Qi2, offering improved efficiency and compatibility with a wider range of chargers.
❓ What are the benefits of the A17 Pro's dedicated AV1 decode engine for streaming video?
The A17 Pro's hardware-accelerated 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 YouTube and Netflix.