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

The Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering from their respective manufacturers. This comparison isn't simply about specs; it's about contrasting philosophies – Huawei's focus on rapid charging and a multi-core CPU approach versus Apple's emphasis on optimized performance and ecosystem integration. We'll dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a seamless software experience, the iPhone 15 Pro Max emerges as the winner. Its A17 Pro chipset and optimized iOS deliver a smoother, more responsive experience. However, the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate’s unparalleled 100W charging and 80W wireless charging capabilities make it the clear choice for those who demand the fastest possible power replenishment.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 80 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
Announced2025, November 252023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, November 26Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, titanium alloy frameGlass 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 + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· 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)
Weight249 g (8.78 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 3 (basalt tempered)Ceramic 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)
TypeDual-layer LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, BT.2020, 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 20GB RAM, 1TB 20GB 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, 1080p@240fps, 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, 1080p4K@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, White, VioletBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsSGU-AL10A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 1470 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 RS Ultimate

  • Unrivaled 100W wired and 80W wireless charging speeds
  • Potentially superior multitasking capabilities with 9-core CPU
  • Higher reverse charging wattage for powering other devices

  • Lack of detailed specifications hinders a complete comparison
  • Potential software ecosystem limitations compared to iOS

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance with the A17 Pro chipset
  • Long battery life and efficient power management
  • Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate
  • Limited customization options compared to Android

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a peak brightness of 1787 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate’s display specs are not provided, Huawei typically employs OLED panels with excellent color accuracy. The iPhone’s likely use of LTPO technology allows for a variable refresh rate, optimizing battery life. The absence of detailed display specs for the Huawei makes a direct comparison difficult, but the iPhone’s measured brightness provides a clear advantage in outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Huawei has historically excelled in computational photography. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera system, while details are not provided, is expected to deliver exceptional photo and video quality, leveraging Apple’s advanced image processing algorithms. The iPhone’s focus on video capabilities, combined with its likely superior stabilization, gives it an edge for content creators. The absence of sensor size or aperture information for the Huawei makes it difficult to assess its low-light performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A17 Pro (3nm) versus Huawei’s Kirin 9030 Pro (6nm). The A17 Pro’s 3nm process offers significant power efficiency gains and higher transistor density compared to the Kirin 9030 Pro’s 6nm node, translating to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While the Kirin 9030 Pro’s 9-core CPU configuration might appear advantageous on paper, Apple’s focus on optimizing the 6-core A17 Pro for real-world tasks often yields superior results. The iPhone’s LPDDR5X RAM further contributes to faster data transfer speeds, enhancing overall responsiveness.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves an impressive 16:01h of active use, demonstrating excellent battery life. While the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate’s battery capacity is unknown, its 100W wired charging is a game-changer, potentially allowing for a full charge in under 30 minutes. The 80W wireless charging is equally impressive, significantly faster than the iPhone’s 15W MagSafe/Qi2 charging. The iPhone’s endurance rating of 118h suggests excellent standby time, but the Huawei’s charging speed offers a unique advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The 4.5W reverse wired charging on the iPhone is minimal compared to the Huawei’s 18W and 20W options.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate if you absolutely need the fastest charging speeds available in a smartphone, value a multi-core CPU for multitasking, and are comfortable with the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize a refined user experience, long-term software support, a powerful and efficient processor for demanding tasks like video editing, and integration with other Apple devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Kirin 9030 Pro’s 9-core CPU compare to the A17 Pro’s 6-core CPU in real-world gaming performance?
While the Kirin 9030 Pro has more cores, Apple’s A17 Pro leverages a more advanced 3nm process and highly optimized architecture. This typically results in superior single-core performance, which is crucial for many mobile games. The A17 Pro’s GPU is also likely more powerful, leading to higher frame rates and better graphics fidelity.
❓ Is the 80W wireless charging on the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate compatible with all Qi wireless chargers?
No, the Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate’s 80W wireless charging requires a compatible Huawei charger to achieve those speeds. Standard Qi wireless chargers will likely charge at a much slower rate. The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports Qi2, but only at 15W, requiring iOS 17.2 for full functionality.
❓ What are the implications of the 6nm vs 3nm process node for long-term battery life and thermal management?
The 3nm process node used in the A17 Pro is significantly more efficient than the 6nm process in the Kirin 9030 Pro. This means the A17 Pro consumes less power for the same level of performance, resulting in longer battery life and reduced heat generation. Less heat also means less thermal throttling, allowing the A17 Pro to maintain peak performance for longer periods.