Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max
Shop Android Smartphones
Huawei P20
Starting at
£95.00
iPhone XS Max
Starting at
£168.09£459.00 newWhat's the difference between the Huawei P20 and iPhone XS Max?
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Huawei P20 starts at £95, £73.09 less than the iPhone XS Max.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Front camera
- Chipset: Kirin 970 (10 nm) on the Huawei P20, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max.
- The Huawei P20 has a bigger battery: 3400 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
- The iPhone XS Max has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 5.8 inch.
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max specs
The Huawei P20 and iPhone XS Max, both released in 2018, appeal to different users based on their strengths. The Huawei P20 offers a smaller, lighter design with a sharper front camera and a larger battery capacity, making it a good fit for those who prioritise selfie quality and longer battery life. Storage options vary, with the Huawei P20 stocked at 128GB and the iPhone XS Max available in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities. Your choice depends on whether you prefer Android or iOS, screen size, and storage needs.
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max price
Storage
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and operating system, which all affect how long a device stays functional and current. These two phones show clear differences in these areas.
Battery Capacity
The Huawei P20 has a 3400 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone XS Max's 3174 mAh. This means the Huawei P20 may offer longer battery life between charges, suiting users who want to go through the day with less need to recharge.
Operating System
The Huawei P20 runs Android, offering a familiar interface and app ecosystem for Android users. The iPhone XS Max runs iOS, which suits those who prefer Apple's operating system and integration with other Apple devices.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. Both phones have 4 GB of RAM, which supports everyday app use and multitasking.
Chipset
The Huawei P20 uses the Kirin 970 chipset built on a 10 nm process, while the iPhone XS Max runs on the Apple A12 Bionic. Both chipsets are designed to handle common tasks smoothly, but users may notice differences in app responsiveness or gaming depending on the apps they use.
Storage Options
The Huawei P20 is stocked with 128GB of storage, suitable for users who want ample space for photos and apps. The iPhone XS Max offers three storage sizes: 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, allowing users to choose based on their storage needs.
Chipset
RAM
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max screen
The screen is key for viewing content and interacting with the device. These two phones differ significantly in screen size, resolution, and display technology.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Huawei P20 has a 5.8 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2240, offering a compact but sharp display. The iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5 inch screen with a higher resolution of 1242 x 2688, ideal for those who want more room for videos, games, and browsing.
Screen Type
The Huawei P20 uses an IPS LCD screen, which generally provides good colour accuracy and viewing angles. The iPhone XS Max features a Super Retina OLED screen, delivering deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, which can enhance the experience of watching photos and videos.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max camera
Audiovisual features focus on the front and main cameras, which affect photography and video calls.
Front Camera
The Huawei P20 has a 24 megapixel front camera, which captures higher detail in selfies and video calls. This suits users who prioritise front-facing photography. The iPhone XS Max has a 7 megapixel front camera, providing good quality for typical selfies and video chats.
Main Camera
Both phones feature a 12 megapixel main camera, offering similar resolution for everyday photography needs.
Front camera
Main camera
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max size and design
Other practical differences include size, weight, SIM options, connectors, and carrier compatibility. These affect how the phone feels in hand and how it fits various mobile setups.
Size and Weight
The Huawei P20 is smaller and lighter at 149.1 mm tall, 70.8 mm wide, and 165 g weight. The iPhone XS Max is larger and heavier at 157.5 mm tall, 77.4 mm wide, and 208 g weight. Users who prefer a more compact phone may favour the Huawei P20, while those wanting a larger device might prefer the iPhone XS Max.
SIM Card Options
The Huawei P20 supports dual physical SIM cards, which is useful for people who want to use two separate phone numbers or carriers without switching SIMs. The iPhone XS Max offers one physical SIM with an eSIM, allowing for a secondary line without a second physical card.
Connector Type
The Huawei P20 uses a micro USB connector for charging and data transfer. The iPhone XS Max uses Apple's Lightning connector, common among iPhone accessories.
Carrier Compatibility
Both devices are unlocked, meaning they can be used with any compatible 4G network.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Huawei P20 or iPhone XS Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Huawei P20 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £95, £73.09 less than the iPhone XS Max
- you want a bigger battery (3400 mAh vs 3174 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (24 megapixels vs 7 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone XS Max if
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 5.8 inch)
- you want an OLED screen
What our customers say
Customers using the Huawei P20 praise it for being in excellent condition and good value for money. Many say it is easy to use and works well, with battery life lasting around 24 hours in daily use. Some appreciate the camera quality, especially the front camera. A few note network compatibility issues with certain SIM cards, and one mentioned problems with installing Google Wallet. Overall, users find the Huawei P20 a reliable Android phone with a compact size and solid performance.
Users of the iPhone XS Max report that the phone looks like new with no scratches or dents. Battery life varies, with some noticing it lasts well while others have found it shorter, around six hours. The large Super Retina OLED screen impresses users, and the phone's condition is generally described as excellent. Some experienced minor issues like low call volume or a non-working Face ID, but replacements or repairs addressed these. The iPhone XS Max suits those who want a bigger screen and ongoing software support.
Both phones meet the needs of different users: the Huawei P20 suits those wanting a lighter, smaller Android phone with a strong front camera and longer battery, while the iPhone XS Max appeals to those who prioritise a large, vibrant screen and iOS updates.
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max FAQs
Huawei P20 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Kirin 970 (10 nm) on the Huawei P20, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max. The Huawei P20 has a bigger battery: 3400 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
The Huawei P20 is cheaper refurbished, from £95 compared with £168.09 for the iPhone XS Max.
The Huawei P20 has a bigger battery: 3400 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
We don't have published update dates for the Huawei P20. Updates for the iPhone XS Max ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
Refurbished, the Huawei P20 comes in 128GB, and the iPhone XS Max in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
