Huawei Mate 70 vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

The Huawei Mate 70 and 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 – Huawei's focus on rapid charging and in-house silicon versus Apple's integrated hardware and software experience. We'll dissect their key differences to determine which device reigns supreme.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term software support and a refined ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the better choice. However, the Huawei Mate 70’s significantly faster 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, coupled with the Kirin 9020’s potential, makes it a compelling alternative for those seeking cutting-edge charging technology and aren't reliant on Google services.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 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, aluminum alloy frameGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions160.9 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.33 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)
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~440 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~89.1% 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 & 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
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 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)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
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
Type5300 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, White, GreenBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsCLS-AL00A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 720 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

  • Significantly faster 66W wired charging
  • 50W wireless charging – a major advantage
  • Reverse wireless and wired charging options

  • Older 7nm chipset compared to iPhone's 3nm
  • Potential software ecosystem limitations (Google services)

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Industry-leading A17 Pro chipset performance
  • Exceptional camera and video recording capabilities
  • Long-term software support and ecosystem integration

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Mate 70
  • MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging is slower

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’s display specs are not provided, Huawei typically employs OLED panels with vibrant colors. The iPhone’s advantage lies in its precise color calibration and potentially a higher refresh rate (assumed 120Hz based on market segment) for smoother scrolling. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display technology is likely LTPO, offering variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Mate 70.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is renowned for its exceptional photo and video capabilities, though specific sensor details aren’t provided in the context data. Apple’s computational photography excels in dynamic range and detail preservation. The Mate 70’s camera specs are also missing, but Huawei has historically focused on large sensor sizes and advanced image processing algorithms. The iPhone’s video recording capabilities are likely superior, offering ProRes video recording and cinematic mode. Without detailed sensor information for the Mate 70, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but Apple’s established image signal processing pipeline gives it an edge.

Performance

The core difference here is the chipset architecture. Apple’s A17 Pro, fabricated on a 3nm process, delivers a hexa-core CPU with two high-performance cores clocked at 3.78 GHz. This contrasts with the Huawei Mate 70’s Kirin 9020 (7nm), an octa-core processor. While core count isn’t everything, the 3nm node of the A17 Pro offers significant advantages in power efficiency and transistor density, translating to superior sustained performance and thermal management. The A17 Pro’s GPU is also expected to outperform the Kirin 9020’s GPU, particularly in graphically 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 118 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The Mate 70’s battery capacity is unknown, but its charging capabilities are a standout feature. 66W wired charging allows for a significantly faster 0-100% charge compared to the iPhone’s PD2.0 charging (50% in 30 minutes). The Mate 70 also offers 50W wireless charging, far exceeding the iPhone’s 15W MagSafe/Qi2 charging. While the iPhone may have superior overall endurance, the Mate 70’s charging speed is a game-changer for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 if you need blazing-fast charging speeds, value reverse wireless charging capabilities, and are comfortable operating within the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize a seamless user experience, industry-leading app support, exceptional video recording capabilities, and a guaranteed long-term software update schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the 7nm process isn't as efficient as the A17 Pro's 3nm, Huawei has implemented advanced cooling solutions in the Mate 70. However, sustained peak performance may be limited compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially in graphically demanding games. Expect some throttling, but likely not to the point of unplayability.
❓ How does the reverse wireless charging on the Mate 70 compare to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of speed and usability?
The Mate 70 offers 7.5W reverse wireless charging, and even 5W reverse wired charging, significantly outpacing the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 4.5W reverse wired charging. This makes the Mate 70 a more practical option for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 70 a major inconvenience for most users?
For users heavily reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps, the absence of GMS is a significant drawback. Huawei’s AppGallery offers alternatives, but the app selection and compatibility aren’t as comprehensive. Users will need to explore workarounds or rely on Huawei’s ecosystem.
❓ What is the real-world benefit of the 50W wireless charging on the Mate 70 compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 15W wireless charging?
The 50W wireless charging on the Mate 70 can potentially charge the device from 0% to 100% in under an hour, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro Max will take considerably longer. This is a substantial time saving for users who prefer wireless charging and are often on the go.