Huawei nova Flip vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Detailed Comparison

The smartphone landscape offers diverse choices, from the innovative form factor of the Huawei nova Flip to the established dominance of Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. This comparison isn’t about declaring a single winner, but dissecting how each device caters to different priorities – style and portability versus raw power and a comprehensive ecosystem.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and longevity, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the superior choice. Its A17 Pro chipset and exceptional battery life deliver a smoother, more reliable experience. However, the Huawei nova Flip offers a unique, fashionable design and rapid 66W charging at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova Flip 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 bands5G1, 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, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, August 052023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, August 10Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
DimensionsUnfolded: 169.8 x 75.4 x 6.9 mmFolded: 87.6 x 75.4 x 15.1 mm159.9 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)
Weight195 g or 199 g (6.88 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
Protection-Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1136 x 2690 pixels (~421 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.94 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO OLED, 120HzLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-coreHexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetKirin 8000 (7 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPU-Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSHarmonyOS 4.2iOS 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
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-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)
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@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
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (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
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 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 40 min 5W reverse wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsGreen, Pink, White, BlackBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsPSD-AL00A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 680 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 Flip

  • Stylish and compact flip phone design
  • 66W fast wired charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Less powerful Kirin 8000 chipset
  • Likely lower battery life compared to iPhone
  • Unknown camera performance details

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Industry-leading A17 Pro chipset
  • Exceptional battery life and endurance
  • Advanced camera system with superior image processing

  • Slower wired charging speed (50% in 30 min)
  • Higher price point
  • Larger and heavier form factor

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 Flip’s display specs aren’t provided, flip phone displays often prioritize power efficiency over peak brightness. The iPhone’s likely use of LTPO technology allows for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life, a feature not confirmed on the nova Flip. The iPhone’s larger screen real estate also benefits content consumption and multitasking.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to feature a sophisticated camera system with advanced image processing capabilities. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Apple’s computational photography is renowned for its accuracy and dynamic range. The nova Flip’s camera specs are currently unknown, but Huawei typically focuses on strong camera performance in its devices. However, the A17 Pro’s image signal processor (ISP) will likely offer superior video recording and image stabilization. The iPhone’s focus on photo and video quality makes it the better choice for content creators.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A17 Pro (3nm) versus Huawei’s Kirin 8000 (7nm). The A17 Pro’s 3nm architecture delivers superior transistor density and power efficiency, translating to faster processing speeds and reduced thermal throttling. The iPhone’s hexa-core CPU (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) is architecturally more complex than the nova Flip’s octa-core, optimized for both performance and efficiency. While the Kirin 8000 is capable, it will likely struggle to match the A17 Pro in demanding tasks like video editing or high-end gaming. The iPhone’s LPDDR5X RAM further enhances performance.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max excels in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 16:01h and an endurance rating of 118h. While the nova Flip’s battery capacity is unknown, its 66W wired charging (100% in 40 min) is significantly faster than the iPhone’s wired charging (50% in 30 min). The iPhone does offer 15W wireless charging (MagSafe and Qi2), but the nova Flip provides 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to top up accessories. The iPhone’s superior battery life, however, offsets the nova Flip’s faster charging speed for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova Flip if you prioritize a compact, stylish design and fast charging speeds, and are comfortable with a potentially less powerful processor. It’s ideal for fashion-conscious users who value portability and aesthetics. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you demand top-tier performance, a best-in-class camera system, and long-lasting battery life. This is the phone for power users, content creators, and those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 8000 in the Huawei nova Flip struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Kirin 8000 is a capable chipset, it’s unlikely to deliver the same smooth, high-framerate experience as the A17 Pro in demanding games. Expect to potentially lower graphics settings or experience some frame drops during extended gaming sessions. The A17 Pro’s GPU is significantly more powerful.
❓ How does the 66W charging on the Huawei nova Flip compare to real-world charging times with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and its 27W maximum?
The Huawei nova Flip’s 66W charging is considerably faster. It claims 100% charge in 40 minutes, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max takes approximately 60 minutes to reach 100% with a compatible 27W charger. However, the iPhone’s superior battery capacity means you may not need to charge it as frequently.
❓ Is the flip phone form factor of the Huawei nova Flip practical for everyday use, or is it more of a fashion statement?
The flip phone form factor is primarily a stylistic choice. While it offers increased portability, it can be less convenient for one-handed operation and may require getting used to the folding mechanism. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s traditional form factor offers greater usability for most tasks.