Huawei nova 13 vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive into Speed and Endurance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a polished ecosystem, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the superior choice. Its 16:01-hour active use score and robust software support outweigh the nova 13’s impressive 100W charging, especially considering the iPhone’s superior processing power.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 13 | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 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 bands | SA/NSA | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, October 22 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October 25 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5) |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 75.3 x 7 mm (6.35 x 2.96 x 0.28 in) | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-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) |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | Ceramic Shield glass |
| Resolution | 1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.3 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | - | Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) |
| Chipset | - | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) |
| GPU | - | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) |
| OS | HarmonyOS 4.2 | iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| 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) |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR |
| Single | 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC (320-960 kbps HD audio) | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 3-50% in 10 min 5W reverse wired | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4441 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Purple, Green | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium |
| Models | BLK-AL80, BLK-LX9 | A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2 |
| Price | About 350 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 nova 13
- Blazing-fast 100W wired charging
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Reverse wired charging capability (5W)
- Likely inferior processing power compared to A17 Pro
- Unspecified battery capacity and overall endurance
- Potential software ecosystem limitations
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Exceptional battery life (16:01h active use)
- Industry-leading A17 Pro chipset
- Superior display brightness and quality
- Slower wired charging speed (50% in 30 min)
- Higher price point
- Reliance on Lightning/USB-C ecosystem
Display Comparison
The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1787 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the nova 13’s display specs are not provided, it’s unlikely to match this peak brightness. The iPhone’s display likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to power efficiency. The iPhone’s display is also likely to have superior color accuracy and calibration, crucial for content creators.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera system is expected to feature advanced computational photography capabilities, leveraging the A17 Pro’s image signal processor. While specific sensor details are not provided, Apple typically prioritizes image quality and video recording features. The nova 13’s camera specs are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but it’s likely to focus on megapixel count rather than overall image quality and video stabilization. We can assume the iPhone will offer superior video recording capabilities, including ProRes support.
Performance
The Apple A17 Pro chipset, fabricated on a 3nm process, represents a substantial leap in mobile processing power. Its hexa-core configuration (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) delivers exceptional performance in both single-core and multi-core tasks. The 3nm node translates to improved thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. The nova 13’s chipset is not specified, but it will almost certainly lag behind the A17 Pro in raw processing power and efficiency. The iPhone’s LPDDR5X RAM further enhances performance, providing faster data access.
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 nova 13’s battery capacity is unknown, its 100W wired charging offers a significant advantage in terms of charging speed – achieving a 30-50% charge in just 10 minutes. However, the iPhone’s 50% charge in 30 minutes, coupled with its superior overall capacity, provides a more practical solution for most users. The iPhone also supports 15W wireless charging via MagSafe and Qi2 (requiring iOS 17.2), offering convenient charging options.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 13 if you frequently find yourself needing a quick power boost throughout the day and value extremely fast charging speeds. Its 100W wired charging is a game-changer for those who can’t afford downtime. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize long-lasting battery life, a seamless user experience, and top-tier performance for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The A17 Pro chip and optimized software deliver a level of refinement the nova 13 can’t match.