Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max
Shop Android Smartphones
Huawei P30
Starting at
£134.00
iPhone XS Max
Starting at
£168.09£459.00 newWhat's the difference between the Huawei P30 and iPhone XS Max?
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Huawei P30 starts at £134, £34.09 less than the iPhone XS Max. The Huawei P30 is the newer model, released in 2019.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Kirin 980 (7 nm) on the Huawei P30, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max.
- The Huawei P30 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Huawei P30 has a bigger battery: 3650 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max specs
The Huawei P30 and iPhone XS Max differ in several key areas that suit different needs. The Huawei P30 offers a slightly smaller but lighter design with a 6.1 inch OLED screen and a larger battery capacity. It runs Android and has more RAM, which helps with multitasking. The iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5 inch Super Retina OLED screen and higher resolution, making it a good choice if screen size and sharpness are priorities. Camera options vary with the Huawei P30 featuring higher megapixel counts for both front and main cameras, while the iPhone XS Max provides a wider range of storage sizes to choose from. Your choice will depend on whether you prefer a bigger, sharper display and iOS support or a lighter phone with more RAM, battery capacity, and higher megapixels.
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max price
Storage
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, operating system support, and physical design elements that affect daily use. These differences can impact how long each device lasts on a charge and how long it receives software updates.
Battery Capacity
The Huawei P30 has a 3650 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone XS Max's 3174 mAh. This means the Huawei P30 may offer longer usage between charges, which is helpful if you use your phone heavily throughout the day or prefer fewer charging interruptions.
Operating System
The Huawei P30 runs Android, which offers a wide range of customisation and app availability. The iPhone XS Max runs iOS, known for its smooth integration with other Apple products and consistent user experience.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max performance
Performance focuses on the processing power, memory, and storage options that determine how well each phone handles apps, multitasking, and storage needs.
Processor
The Huawei P30 uses the Kirin 980 (7 nm) chipset, while the iPhone XS Max is powered by the Apple A12 Bionic. Both are capable processors designed for smooth everyday use and demanding apps, with each suited to their respective operating systems.
RAM
With 6 GB of RAM, the Huawei P30 can keep more apps open in the background, which benefits multitasking and switching between apps. The iPhone XS Max has 4 GB of RAM, which supports iOS's efficient memory management.
Storage Options
The Huawei P30 is stocked with 128GB of storage, offering a solid amount of space for apps, photos, and files. The iPhone XS Max offers more variety with 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB options, allowing you to choose the storage size that best fits your needs.
Chipset
RAM
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, with differences in size, resolution, and display technology shaping your experience when watching videos, browsing, or gaming.
Screen Size
The iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5 inch screen, which provides more room for videos and multitasking. The Huawei P30's 6.1 inch screen is slightly smaller and may be easier to handle with one hand.
Resolution
The iPhone XS Max offers a higher resolution of 1242 x 2688 pixels, which delivers sharper images and finer detail. The Huawei P30 has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, which still provides clear and vibrant visuals on its smaller screen.
Screen Type
Both phones use OLED technology for rich colours and deep blacks. The iPhone XS Max features a Super Retina OLED screen, a branded display type that is known for high colour accuracy and brightness.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera capabilities, which impact photo and video quality, as well as front camera resolution for selfies and video calls.
Front Camera
The Huawei P30 has a 32 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for capturing detailed selfies and video calls. The iPhone XS Max has a 7 megapixel front camera, which still offers quality images but with fewer pixels.
Main Camera
The Huawei P30's main camera has a 40 megapixel sensor, which can capture more detail in photos. The iPhone XS Max has a 12 megapixel main camera, which is designed to produce balanced and colour-accurate shots.
Front camera
Main camera
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max size and design
Miscellaneous features include physical design, connectors, network compatibility, and expandability, which affect daily convenience and how you use your phone.
Connectors
The Huawei P30 includes both a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it easy to use wired headphones and standard charging cables. The iPhone XS Max uses a Lightning connector, which requires compatible accessories.
SIM and Network
The Huawei P30 supports a physical SIM card and 4G mobile networks. The iPhone XS Max supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, providing more flexibility for managing multiple phone numbers or plans.
Expandable Storage
The Huawei P30 supports NM (Nano Memory) cards, allowing you to increase storage with a compatible card. The iPhone XS Max does not have expandable storage.
Size and Weight
The Huawei P30 is lighter at 165 g and smaller in width and height, making it easier to carry and handle. The iPhone XS Max weighs 208 g and has a larger physical footprint, which suits users who prefer a bigger device.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Huawei P30 or iPhone XS Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Huawei P30 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £134, £34.09 less than the iPhone XS Max
- you want more RAM (6 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3650 mAh vs 3174 mAh)
Buy the iPhone XS Max if
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 6.1 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who use the Huawei P30 appreciate its excellent battery life, with some mentioning it can last about three days with their usage. The camera quality receives positive remarks, especially the detail and colour, and users find the phone fast and reliable for everyday tasks. The fingerprint sensor and overall condition of the device are also noted as satisfying. Some users value the phone as a good upgrade or a practical, environmentally friendly choice. However, a few customers have experienced issues with network unlocking.
Reviews of the iPhone XS Max highlight its good condition, with many saying the phone looks like new and performs well for their needs. The screen quality is praised, and the device is seen as a quality smartphone suitable for users not needing the latest model. Battery life varies, with some customers finding it shorter, lasting about six hours in one case. The camera and general performance meet expectations, and the phone's size appeals to those wanting a larger display. A few users mention minor scratches or setup times but remain overall happy with the device.
Both phones attract users looking for capable devices with strong camera features and good screen quality. The Huawei P30 may suit those wanting longer battery life and expandable storage, while the iPhone XS Max appeals to users seeking a larger screen and ongoing software updates.
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max FAQs
Huawei P30 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Kirin 980 (7 nm) on the Huawei P30, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max. The Huawei P30 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.
The Huawei P30 is cheaper refurbished, from £134 compared with £168.09 for the iPhone XS Max.
The Huawei P30 has a bigger battery: 3650 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
The Huawei P30 has a higher-resolution main camera: 40 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
We don't have published update dates for the Huawei P30. Updates for the iPhone XS Max ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
Refurbished, the Huawei P30 comes in 128GB, and the iPhone XS Max in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
