I'll compare the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Huawei Pura 80 Ultra in simple language to make it easier to understand. Based on the specifications and what's already known, here are the pros and cons plus which one is likely to be superior in real-world situations. To make a comparison between Huawei Pura 80 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max, some information was gathered from Huawei and Apple website.
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Main camera: 48 MP, OIS, sensor-shift stabilization.
- Ultra-wide: 48 MP.
- Telephoto: 4× optical zoom, plus "optical-quality" zoom up to 8× with a crop sensor.
- Maximum digital zoom is approximately 40×.
Huawei Pura 80 Ultra
- Main camera: 50 MP, large 1-inch sensor, variable aperture f/1.6–f/4.0 + OIS.
- Ultra-wide: 40 MP.
- Two telephoto lenses: one telephoto with ~3.7× optical zoom, and one periscope telephoto with ~9.4× optical zoom; Both are equipped with sensor-shift OIS.
- Digital zoom can reach up to 100x.
Which is Better?
We can see this based on the situation. To compare we have to look at several situations
Advantages By Situation.
Night/Low-Light Photos:
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: 1-inch main sensor + variable aperture + OIS → can capture more light → night photos tend to be brighter and have less noise.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Despite the smaller sensor (compared to a 1-inch sensor), Apple's excellent software optimization (Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, HDR) means night photos are still very competitive; details and shadows are well-resolved.
Zoom/Long-Range:
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: The Pura 80 Ultra excels because it has two optical telephoto lenses: up to ~9.4x optical zoom. So, if you like photographing distant objects (e.g., birds, detailed buildings in the distance, etc.), the Huawei has a clear advantage.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: The iPhone has 4x optical zoom and up to 8x optical quality (via the crop sensor), but the detail and quality may be slightly inferior to the Huawei periscope at high zoom, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Color and consistency:
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: Huawei's color and photo consistency typically offer vibrant colors and high contrast—a favorite for those who want eye-catching, pop-worthy photos. Ultra Chroma and the spectral sensor help with color reproduction.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: The iPhone is known for its more natural, less over-the-top color reproduction, and excellent consistency across lenses (main, ultra-wide, telephoto). If you prefer realistic results without extensive editing, the iPhone is superior here.
Video:
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: Huawei's video features include stabilization, optical image stabilization (OIS), and decent zoom capabilities; however, in long videos, exposure and dynamic range can sometimes be challenging depending on the lighting.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: The iPhone has always been strong in video: stabilization, high video quality, and more mature color and HDR effects; the iPhone is likely better for vlogging or frequent video recording.
Comparison of Simulation Photo Results:
Night Photo on a City Street
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: Streetlights, cars, and buildings appear brighter. Dark shadows on the roadside remain visible. Noise (graininess) is very minimal. The results look dramatic.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: The photo remains bright, but more natural. Shadows are slightly darker, and streetlights aren't overexposed. Suitable for those who prefer a realistic look.
Zoom Photo from Above a Building
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: With up to 9.4x optical zoom, distant details like building windows or billboards are still clear. With 50-100x digital zoom, shapes are still visible but detail is reduced.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: At 4x–8x zoom, the results are still sharp, but at further zooms (e.g., 20x), detail begins to lose ground compared to the Huawei.
Outdoor Daytime Photos (e.g., at the town square or Kenjeran Beach)
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: The blue sky and green trees appear brighter and have higher contrast, resulting in a striking result. Sometimes the colors are a bit "overblown."
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: More natural colors. The sky remains blue but not too dark, and people's faces look lifelike.
Selfies / Frontal Photos
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: Selfies appear bright, with skin tones slightly whiter/smoother. Suitable for those who like results that look "instantly good."
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Selfies are more natural, with skin texture retained. Suitable for those who prefer realistic results without much editing.
Videos (e.g., Walking around at Night)
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: Videos are stable and bright, but sometimes high-contrast lighting (neon lights, billboards) can cause the colors to be a bit "blown."
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Video is smoother, more stable, and colors remain natural even in fluorescent or changing lighting. Perfect for vlogging.
Practical Conclusion: The Huawei P80 Ultra excels at night photography and long zoom. The iPhone 17 Pro Max excels at consistent, natural video and photos.
General Conclusion
To summarize, So, here's what it can be easily concluded.
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is likely superior if you:
- Often take photos at night or in low-light conditions.
- Like long zooms/photographing distant objects.
- Want eye-catching (pop, dramatic) photos without having to edit a lot.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is more suitable if:
- You want consistent and natural photos, in all conditions (day, night, medium zoom).
- Often shoot videos, because the software and video stabilization are usually more mature.
- You want the Apple ecosystem and easy-to-use photo features without having to think too deeply about technique.
This comparison shows that both phones are excellent flagship devices, but they focus on different areas. The Huawei P80 Ultra excels in camera innovation, particularly with its interchangeable dual telephoto lenses and ultra-fast charging technology. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to excel in ecosystem, software stability, and potentially video quality, and will also feature significant improvements to the front camera.
If I had to choose one, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra has a slight advantage in camera hardware (large sensor + dual optical zoom) that can be very noticeable in challenging situations. But the iPhone is still not a bad choice at all, depending on your photography style.
