Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Flagship Face-Off

The Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ arrives as a compelling alternative to the established dominance of Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, particularly for users seeking cutting-edge camera technology and rapid charging. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two titans, focusing on their chipsets, displays, camera systems, and battery performance to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing ecosystem integration and consistently optimized software, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains the safer bet. However, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ offers a compelling package with significantly faster charging and potentially innovative camera features, appealing to those willing to embrace a different mobile experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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, April 182023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 29Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather)Glass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.40 x 2.96 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)
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass (Xuanwu tempered)Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1260 x 2844 pixels (~460 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.3 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.18 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.55 GHz Cortex-A510)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetKirin 9010 (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
Internal512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 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)
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-4.0, 25mm (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.1, 93mm (telephoto), PDAF (5cm - ∞), OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 12.5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)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, 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, (ultrawide), AF12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
VideoYes, HDR4K@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, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, 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
TypeLi-Po 5050 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, SilverBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsHBN-AL10, HBN-AL80A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 1050 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 Pura 70 Pro+

  • Incredibly fast 100W wired and 80W wireless charging
  • Potentially innovative camera technology from Huawei
  • Reverse wireless charging capabilities (20W)

  • Software ecosystem may not appeal to all users
  • Chipset is older process node (7nm) compared to A17 Pro (3nm)

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Seamless iOS ecosystem and long-term software support
  • Powerful A17 Pro chipset for exceptional performance
  • Excellent video recording capabilities

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Pura 70 Pro+
  • Limited reverse wireless charging (4.5W)

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a measured peak brightness of 1787 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Pura 70 Pro+’s display specifications aren’t provided, Huawei typically employs OLED panels with vibrant colors. The iPhone’s ProMotion technology (adaptive refresh rate) is absent from the provided specs for the Pura 70 Pro+, potentially impacting smoothness during scrolling and animations. The iPhone’s display is likely to have a more refined color calibration and wider color gamut coverage, crucial for professional content creators.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Pura 70 Pro+, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Huawei has consistently pushed boundaries in mobile photography, often focusing on large sensors and advanced computational photography. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera system is renowned for its consistent image quality and excellent video recording capabilities. The Pura 70 Pro+ may excel in low-light photography and zoom capabilities, areas where Huawei has historically innovated. The iPhone’s video recording, particularly in ProRes format, provides professional-grade quality. The absence of detailed sensor information for the Pura 70 Pro+ makes a definitive camera assessment impossible.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s 3nm A17 Pro (hexa-core, 2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) versus Huawei’s 7nm Kirin 9010 (octa-core, 1x2.3 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.18 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.55 GHz Cortex-A510). The A17 Pro’s smaller node size translates to superior power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing for sustained peak performance during demanding tasks. While the Kirin 9010’s octa-core configuration suggests multitasking prowess, the A17 Pro’s architectural advantages and GPU capabilities likely deliver a smoother gaming experience and faster processing speeds. 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 active use score and an endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The Pura 70 Pro+ compensates for potentially lower battery capacity with its blazing-fast charging speeds: 100W wired, 80W wireless, and even 20W reverse wireless. This means the Pura 70 Pro+ can go from 0-100% significantly faster than the iPhone, which relies on slower wired charging (50% in 30 min) and 15W wireless charging (MagSafe/Qi2). The Pura 70 Pro+'s reverse wireless charging capabilities are also far superior at 20W compared to the iPhone's 4.5W.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ if you need unparalleled charging speeds (100W wired, 80W wireless) and are intrigued by Huawei’s advancements in mobile photography, even if it means navigating a different software ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prefer a seamless user experience, a mature app ecosystem, and long-term software support, prioritizing stability and integration with other Apple devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9010 chipset in the Pura 70 Pro+ suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the chipset's architecture, the Kirin 9010 is likely to experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. However, Huawei employs various cooling solutions, and the extent of throttling will depend on the device's thermal design. The A17 Pro's 3nm process offers a clear advantage in thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling.
❓ How does the 80W wireless charging on the Pura 70 Pro+ compare to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's MagSafe charging in real-world usage?
The Pura 70 Pro+'s 80W wireless charging is significantly faster than the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 15W MagSafe. Expect a full wireless charge on the Pura 70 Pro+ in under an hour, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max will take considerably longer. This makes the Pura 70 Pro+ ideal for users who frequently rely on wireless charging.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Pura 70 Pro+ a major inconvenience for most users?
The absence of GMS is a significant consideration. Users will rely on Huawei's AppGallery and potentially sideloading apps. While AppGallery has expanded, it still lacks the breadth of apps available on the Google Play Store. This may be a dealbreaker for users heavily reliant on Google services like Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube.