Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering from their respective ecosystems. This comparison isn't simply about brand loyalty; it's a head-to-head examination of drastically different approaches to performance, charging, and user experience, particularly focusing on Huawei's aggressive charging tech versus Apple's refined software and chip integration.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a seamless ecosystem, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max emerges as the winner. Its 16:01 hour active use battery life and optimized A17 Pro chip provide a consistently smooth experience. However, the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max’s 100W charging is a game-changer for those who value speed above all else.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max 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
Announced2025, November 252023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, November 25Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frame, aluminum alloy backGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions164.4 x 79 x 8.3 mm (6.47 x 3.11 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)
Weight239 g (8.43 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1320 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~455 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 117.2 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, HDR Vivid, 8000 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPU9-core (1x2.75 GHz & 4x2.27 GHz & 4x1.72 GHz)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetKirin 9030 Pro (6 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPUMaleoon 935Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSHarmonyOS 6.0iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 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)
Quad50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.1, 91mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.2, 140mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 6.2x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF-
Triple-48 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@960fps, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid4K@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/2.0, 18mm (ultrawide), AF 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
Bluetooth6.0, 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
Type6000 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Blue, GoldBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsSGT-AL10A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 980 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 80 Pro Max

  • Unrivaled 100W wired and 80W wireless charging speeds
  • Potential for a more customizable software experience (depending on EMUI version)
  • Reverse wireless charging at 20W offers versatile power sharing

  • Potential software ecosystem limitations and app availability
  • Chipset fabrication process (6nm) less efficient than iPhone's (3nm)

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Exceptional battery life (16:01h active use)
  • Powerful and efficient A17 Pro chipset
  • Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
  • Long-term software support and updates

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Huawei (50% in 30 min)
  • MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging limited to 15W

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a peak brightness of 1787 nits, a figure that significantly surpasses expectations and ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max’s display specs are not provided, Huawei typically employs OLED panels with vibrant colors. The iPhone’s likely use of LTPO technology allows for variable refresh rates, conserving battery life during static content viewing, a feature we anticipate the Mate 80 Pro Max may lack. The iPhone’s superior brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Mate 80 Pro Max, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Apple’s focus on computational photography and sensor-shift stabilization, combined with its advanced video capabilities, positions the iPhone 15 Pro Max as a strong contender. The iPhone’s image processing prioritizes natural colors and detail, while Huawei often leans towards more saturated and stylized images. The absence of specific sensor size information for the Mate 80 Pro Max makes it difficult to assess its low-light performance relative to the iPhone.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A17 Pro (3nm) versus Huawei’s Kirin 9030 Pro (6nm). The A17 Pro’s smaller node size translates to greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, meaning sustained performance under load with less thermal throttling. While the Kirin 9030 Pro’s 9-core configuration sounds impressive, the A17 Pro’s hexa-core design, coupled with Apple’s software optimization, delivers superior real-world performance. The iPhone’s LPDDR5X RAM further enhances data transfer speeds, contributing to a smoother multitasking experience.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s endurance rating of 118 hours and 16:01 hours of active use demonstrates exceptional battery life. While the Mate 80 Pro Max’s battery capacity is unknown, its charging capabilities are its standout feature. 100W wired charging can replenish the battery from 0-100% in a remarkably short time, while 80W wireless charging is equally impressive. However, the iPhone’s efficiency and optimized software mean it can often last a full day on a single charge, even with heavy use. The Mate 80 Pro Max relies on quick top-ups, while the iPhone prioritizes longevity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max if you absolutely need the fastest charging available and prioritize raw charging speed over ecosystem integration. Its 100W wired and 80W wireless charging capabilities are unmatched. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you value a polished software experience, long-term software support, and a consistently high level of performance across all tasks, backed by the efficiency of the A17 Pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Kirin 9030 Pro’s 9-core architecture compare to the A17 Pro’s 6-core design in real-world gaming performance?
While the Kirin 9030 Pro has more cores, Apple’s A17 Pro leverages a more advanced architecture and manufacturing process (3nm). This results in higher single-core performance and greater efficiency, leading to smoother frame rates and less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The A17 Pro’s GPU is also significantly more powerful.
❓ Is the 80W wireless charging on the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max significantly faster than the 15W wireless charging on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Yes, the 80W wireless charging is substantially faster. It can add a significant percentage of charge in the time it takes the iPhone to gain a minimal amount. However, wireless charging is inherently slower than wired, and the iPhone’s 15W wireless charging is still convenient for topping up.
❓ Does the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max support Google Mobile Services (GMS) and popular apps like Google Maps and YouTube?
This is a critical consideration. Due to ongoing restrictions, the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max likely runs on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and may require workarounds to access Google apps. While Huawei has been building its app ecosystem, compatibility remains a potential issue for users heavily reliant on GMS.
❓ How does the reverse wireless charging on both phones compare for charging accessories like earbuds?
The Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max offers significantly faster reverse wireless charging at 20W, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 4.5W. This means the Huawei can charge accessories much more quickly, making it a more practical option for power sharing.