Although the mid-range increasingly has better hardware capabilities, it is in the high-end where manufacturers really show their full potential. If we have to talk about the king of mobile photography in 2020, the answer would not be easy given the great devices that the year has left us. For that reason today we wanted to take a closer look at two of the most powerful launches that have taken place in the second half of the year, such as the Huawei Mate 40 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
On this occasion and like many others, it was our colleague Jose Morales, conductor of the official channel of our site on Youtube, who has carried out this complete comparison, which you can see calmly in the video that is just below These lines. Before continuing, it is worth taking a look at the great technical differences, which a priori we find between both devices.
Huawei Mate 40 Pro
- 50 megapixel f / 1.9 main camera, 23mm
- Telephoto : 12 megapixels f / 3.5, 125mm, 5x OIS
- Wide Angle: 20 megapixels f / 1.8, 18mm, 120º
- Others : Laser AF
- Front camera 13 megapixels f / 2.4, 18mm + ToF 3D
iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Main camera: 12 megapixels f / 1.6, 26mm OIS
- Telephoto : 12 megapixels f / 2.0, 52mm, 2.5x, OIS
- Wide Angle : 12 megapixels f / 1.6, 13mm, 120º
- Others : LiDAR
- Front camera: 12 megapixels f / 2.2, 23mm
Photo comparison
In the following images, we will see various comparisons between the results of both devices, using their different capabilities. In all shots, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro will always be to the left or above the image, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max shots will be to the right or bottom.
Maximum optical zoom
The first image shows the maximum optical zoom capabilities in both devices, that is, with 2.5x in the case of the iPhone, and double, that is, 5x in the Huawei terminal. It is logical in this case to appreciate a greater zoom in the MAte 40 Pro, while the iPhone seems to interpret the scene with warmer and slightly more saturated tones.
Using the wide angle
In this new example, the wide angle is used on both terminals. Although there are no notable differences in the level of color interpretation, it is true that the detail is greater in the Mate 40 Pro. Although the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a greater range, covering more image than its rival, it does not reach the level of detail we see above. Good use of HDR is appreciated on both devices.
Shoot with the main camera
In this shot with the main sensor of both sensors, the iPhone achieves a slightly higher white balance and dynamic range . The result in the Mate 40 Pro in this case and comparing both shots at the same time, is more muted tones, something that can easily be seen in the sky, the colored cobblestones or the flags.
Big difference in zoom
Reviewing the zoom of both devices again, it should be noted that the iPhone reaches a maximum of 12x, while the Huawie Mate 40 Pro reaches 50X. However, to make a fair comparison, the maximum capacity of the Apple terminal has been used. The differences speak for themselves, with a much higher level of detail in the Mate 40 Pro, appreciable throughout the image.
Portrait mode
In this example of the portrait mode, so valued by many users, we see that the white balance is better on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, but the detail is once again higher on the Mate 40 Pro. Also and if we look more deeply , the cut is also slightly higher on the Huawei mobile.
Portrait mode 2
If we take a look at the portrait mode, the two terminals do a good job, but the detail on the Huawei Mate 40 Pro is again superior in all aspects, including the work it does to better recognize and trim hair. In this case, the saturated colors that may be better in certain landscapes, are favored in this case by the results of the iPhone. In this case, the blur is more pronounced in the iPhone 12 Pro Max, since the Huawei Mate 40 Pro allows to intuit something more of the background.
Selfie mode
Our expert geek glasses qualifies this selfie as perfect, in the case of the Mate 40 Pro, which has improved a lot over the years. The terminal shot offers better detail and truer tones than the iPhone. The blur we see that it is practically the same in the two terminals.
Night lights
In this night shot where artificial lights have great prominence, it can be seen how the iPhone 12 Pro Max has some more difficulty in mastering this type of light. Reflections and areas of light are seen where they should not, while Huawei contains this aspect better. It is very remarkable however, the white balance of the new iPhone, and its improvement over the 2019 models.
Night photo with main sensor
In this example, it is Huawei who has not been able to correctly interpret the artificial lighting in front of it. Better details are appreciated in the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which contains the lights that in the case of Huawei, even reach the roof.
Night mode
This shot is one of the most complicated, since both terminals must interpret a large amount of detail, regardless of the fact that it is a very dark shot. They both light up the scene well but it is Huawei who once offers a superior level of detail. However, it is the iPhone 12 Pro Max that this time better contains artificial lights so that they do not cloud other areas of the scene.
Conclusions
We are facing two titans of the high-end of 2020 and two devices that far exceed 1,000 euros. No less should be demanded of them, or rather, the maximum should be demanded of them. Both will meet the expectations of their owners without a doubt and improve many of the shortcomings that were in previous generations. We recommend you once again, sit on the sofa and enjoy this video comparison made on our official channel, where you can also see how both devices record video.