Huawei Pura 80 Pro+ vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive into Flagship Features

The Huawei Pura 80 Pro+ arrives as a strong contender challenging Apple’s dominance with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This comparison focuses on key differentiators: Huawei’s aggressive charging speeds and camera technology versus Apple’s established ecosystem and the A17 Pro’s raw processing power. We’ll dissect the specs to determine which phone delivers the best experience for different user needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the user prioritizing charging speed and potentially innovative camera features, the Huawei Pura 80 Pro+ is the clear winner. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max maintains its edge for those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, valuing long-term software support, and demanding consistent, optimized performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Pura 80 Pro+ 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/NSA - China only1, 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, June 112023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, June 11Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions163 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 3.00 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)
Weight219 g (7.72 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass 2 (Basalt-tempered)Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1276 x 2848 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~459 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, HDR Vivid, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, 3000 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5GHz & 3x2.15GHz & 4x1.6GHz)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSEMUI (International), HarmonyOS 5.1 (China)iOS 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/1.6-4.0, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.1, 93mm (telephoto), PDAF (5cm - ∞), OIS, 4x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF48 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@960fps (interpolated), HDR Vivid, 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/2.0, (ultrawide), AF12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 1080p, 1080p@240fps, HDR Vivid, 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
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/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging100W wired 80W wireless 18W reverse wired Reverse wirelessWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5700 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Red, GreenBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsLMR-AL10A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 970 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 80 Pro+

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired and 80W wireless charging
  • Potentially innovative camera system with advanced computational photography
  • Android ecosystem flexibility and customization
  • Reverse wireless charging capabilities

  • Kirin 9020 chipset may trail the A17 Pro in raw performance
  • Software support and updates may be less consistent than Apple

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Industry-leading A17 Pro chipset for exceptional performance
  • Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
  • Long-term software support and updates
  • Excellent video recording capabilities (ProRes)

  • Significantly slower charging speeds compared to the Pura 80 Pro+
  • Less 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 Pura 80 Pro+’s brightness isn’t specified, Huawei typically delivers vibrant displays. The iPhone’s ProMotion technology (LTPO) dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, a feature likely present on the Pura 80 Pro+ as well given its flagship status. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but Apple’s consistent color accuracy and calibration are a known strength.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Pura 80 Pro+, we can assume Huawei will emphasize computational photography and potentially a large main sensor. The iPhone 15 Pro Max excels in both photo and video, offering ProRes video recording and excellent dynamic range. Huawei’s strength often lies in its image processing algorithms, aiming for vibrant and detailed images. The absence of a specified megapixel count for the Pura 80 Pro+’s main sensor makes direct comparison difficult, but Huawei has previously utilized high-resolution sensors. Both phones likely feature advanced optical image stabilization (OIS) systems.

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 9020 (Octa-core, 1x2.5GHz & 3x2.15GHz & 4x1.6GHz). The A17 Pro’s smaller node and architectural improvements translate to superior single-core performance and efficiency. While the Kirin 9020 is a powerful chip, it’s likely to trail the A17 Pro in demanding tasks like video editing and high-end gaming. The iPhone benefits from optimized software and faster LPDDR5X RAM, contributing to a smoother overall experience. Thermal management will be crucial for the Kirin 9020 to maintain peak performance under sustained load.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves an impressive 16:01h of active use and an endurance rating of 118 hours, demonstrating excellent battery life. The Pura 80 Pro+ compensates for potentially lower battery capacity with its incredibly fast 100W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in a fraction of the time compared to the iPhone’s 50% in 30 minutes. The 80W wireless charging is also a significant advantage, dwarfing the iPhone’s 15W MagSafe/Qi2 charging. The Pura 80 Pro+ also offers 18W reverse wired and wireless charging, a feature the iPhone provides at a slower 4.5W wired.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Pura 80 Pro+ if you need unparalleled charging speeds (100W wired, 80W wireless), are excited by cutting-edge camera technology, and are comfortable with the Android ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize seamless integration with other Apple devices, a mature and stable operating system, and a proven track record of long-term software updates and resale value.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Pura 80 Pro+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 9020 is a capable chip, its 7nm process node is less efficient than the A17 Pro’s 3nm node. This means the Pura 80 Pro+ may experience more thermal throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to reduced performance. Huawei will likely employ advanced cooling solutions to mitigate this, but it remains a potential concern.
❓ How does the 80W wireless charging on the Pura 80 Pro+ compare to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's MagSafe charging in real-world use?
The Pura 80 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 80 Pro+ in under an hour, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max will take considerably longer – potentially over 3 hours. This makes the Pura 80 Pro+ ideal for users who frequently rely on wireless charging.
❓ Is the lack of iOS app ecosystem a significant drawback for users switching from iPhone to the Huawei Pura 80 Pro+?
For users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and reliant on specific iOS-exclusive apps, switching to the Pura 80 Pro+ and Android could present challenges. While most popular apps are available on both platforms, some niche or professional applications may be exclusive to iOS. This is a key consideration for those deeply integrated with Apple’s services.