When it comes to smartphones, display quality is one of the most critical factors for those who frequently use their devices outdoors. In today’s article, we’ll be comparing two top-tier models—the Huawei Mate 80 RS and the iPhone 17 Pro Max—to see which offers superior performance under direct sunlight.
The brightness level of a smartphone screen is one of its most crucial attributes. High brightness not only enhances HDR content experience but also significantly improves visibility in strong light conditions. Most modern phones have maximum brightness levels ranging from 1000 to 5000 nits, yet one brand has managed to surpass these standards.
Huawei Mate 80 RS stands out with its impressive peak brightness of 8000 nits, giving it a clear edge over competitors in the flagship category. Apple, on the other hand, enhanced the display performance of the iPhone 17 Pro Max released in September by increasing its maximum brightness to 3000 nits—a significant upgrade from the previous model which had a peak brightness of only 2000 nits.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels, offering a minimum brightness level of 1 nit and a maximum outdoor brightness of 3000 nits. The screen also reaches an HDR peak brightness of 1600 nits and standard brightness of 1000 nits. Additionally, it is equipped with anti-reflective coating.
Huawei uses dual-layer OLED screens in both the Mate 80 RS Ultimate Design and Pro Max models; however, the peak brightness of 8000 nits is exclusive to the RS version. This feature ensures that text and images remain clear even under direct sunlight. The device comes with a 6.9-inch panel, a refresh rate of 120 Hz, an FHD+ resolution (2848 x 1320), a PWM dimming frequency of 1440 Hz, touch sampling rate of 300 Hz, and third-generation bazalt tempered Kunlun Glass.
While the Huawei Mate X7 is also on its way to Turkey with impressive features, this article focuses specifically on the comparison between the Huawei Mate 80 RS and iPhone 17 Pro Max displays. Stay tuned for more updates!