Huawei vs. Apple: A Deep Dive into Features, Market Share & AI in 2025

Introduction

Imagine a world where Apple’s dominance is truly challenged, not just in China, but on a global scale. For many years Apple has held its position as the leading company by delivering premium iPhones. But Huawei is giving the tech giant tough competition with innovations as a global competitor. The Huawei vs Apple rivalry is intensifying as the Chinese technology company moves forward through innovation by releasing the high-end Pura 70 Ultra smartphone with HarmonyOS operating system abilities.
As the Apple vs Huawei battle heats up, Huawei is working to regain its market position, while Apple faces growing competition as the smartphone industry evolves quickly. So, in the Huawei vs iPhone race, which company dominates the competition? We will analyze this in the following blog by examining how each company performs on various factors like AI development, product features, and market share.

Huawei vs Apple: Market share

In 2024, both Apple and Huawei maintained strong positions in the global smartphone market despite shifting dynamics. Apple held an 18% market share, shipping around 225.9 million iPhones, bolstered by its dominance in North America and Europe. However, competition from Chinese companies and slowing demand led to a slight decline in some regions. The US has blacklisted more Chinese companies and added them to the country’s list of restricted entities.
Meanwhile, despite U.S. sanctions, Huawei held 4% of the global market, driven by strong China smartphone sales and new launches like the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.

Huawei’s strategy focused on high-end models and AI-powered features, aiming to reclaim lost ground. As the rivalry intensifies, both brands are doubling down on innovation, AI integration, and ecosystem development to maintain their competitive edge.

Huawei vs Apple: Product Features

When comparing a Huawei phone vs iPhone, both companies make top smartphones but focus on different strengths. Apple’s iOS is smooth and connects easily with other Apple devices, while Huawei’s HarmonyOS works across multiple products. Apple’s A-series Bionic chips deliver fast performance, whereas Huawei’s Kirin chips focus on smart features.

For cameras, Huawei stands out with powerful zoom and AI photography, while Apple offers ProRAW, ProRes video, and Night Mode for high-quality images. Huawei’s SuperCharge technology enables fast charging, whereas Apple prioritizes long battery life and MagSafe charging.

Both brands integrate AI, with Apple’s Neural Engine boosting speed and Huawei’s AI enhancing battery life and photos. Apple excels in ecosystem connectivity, but Huawei’s strong hardware and 5G capabilities keep it competitive despite global challenges.

Huawei vs Apple: which is better in 2025

The right choice depends on priorities. If seamless device integration, long software support, and reliable app quality are most important, Apple offers a very consistent experience across phone, laptop, tablet, and watch. But if camera versatility, fast top-ups, and strong all-day battery matter more, recent Huawei flagships are a strong fit, especially for zoom photography and night scenes.

So, in the Huawei vs iPhone debate, the decision may come down to whether users value Apple’s ecosystem and app reliability, or Huawei’s camera innovation and powerful hardware. Service availability and local support vary by market, so the best pick can change by country.

Huawei vs Apple: AI Advancements

Apple vs Huawei innovation can be seen clearly in Artificial Intelligence. Apple’s AI, powered by the Neural Engine, helps with Face ID, Siri, and better photos. It also improves battery life and language translation. Recently, Apple considered using AI from Anthropic or OpenAI to power Siri, instead of relying fully on its technology. 

Huawei’s AI, built into its Kirin chips, makes phones faster and more efficient. It improves camera quality, battery use, and voice recognition. Huawei also uses AI to make 5G connections stronger and faster. Recently, the tech company announced open-sourcing of some of its reasoning technology and AI models under the Pangu series.

While Apple’s AI focuses on making the phone easier to use and more secure, Huawei’s AI improves speed, battery, and network quality. Both brands keep improving AI to make their phones smarter, further fueling the Huawei vs iPhone debate. 

iPhone vs Huawei: cameras and daily performance

In the Huawei phone vs iPhone comparison, both brands excel but in different ways. Apple focuses on natural color, stable low-light results, and video tools that many creators use. Huawei, on the other hand, leans into long-range zoom and detailed night photos that look polished with minimal effort.

In daily performance, both feel fast and fluid, with Apple standing out for video workflows and Huawei standing out for long-reach photography.

Huawei vs Apple: Operating Systems

Apple and Huawei use different operating systems that shape how their devices work. Apple’s iOS is smooth, secure, and works well with other Apple products like MacBooks and iPads. It gets regular updates and has a strict App Store for safe apps.

Huawei’s HarmonyOS, created after U.S. bans stopped it from using Google services, works across many devices, like phones, tablets, and smart TVs. Unlike iOS, HarmonyOS allows more customization and runs apps from different sources.

While iOS is known for its easy-to-use design and security, HarmonyOS focuses on flexibility and a connected ecosystem. This is a key battleground in the Huawei vs Apple competition.

Ecosystem and services: iOS and HarmonyOS

iOS connects easily with iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and a large app catalog that is consistent in many countries. HarmonyOS links phones with watches, tablets, and home devices smoothly and allows more room to personalize the interface.

In the Apple vs Huawei ecosystem war, services and app options differ by region, meaning the everyday experience can vary by market.

Huawei vs Apple: New launches

Apple and Huawei have recently launched new smartphones with advanced features. While the iPhone 16 series is powered by the A18 chip, the “Pro” designation is specific to the iPhone 16 Pro models. It comes with better cameras, a new ‘Capture’ button, and a sleek titanium design.

Huawei, meanwhile, has focused on improving its existing devices and software rather than launching brand-new smartphones in 2025. Its recent models, like the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, continue to attract users with high-end cameras, fast processors, and strong battery life.

Thus, in the Huawei vs iPhone race, Apple dominates with yearly updates, while Huawei refines technology and expands its ecosystem to stay competitive.

Market Presence & Consumer Preferences

Smartphones manufactured by Apple secure greater than 50% market share in the United States as well as European smartphone users and those in other developed regions. The company maintains its dominant position through strong brand attachment combined with premium pricing and seamless device interoperability.

Huawei maintains steady market success within China and parts of Asia despite facing U.S. sanctions that reduced its capability to expand internationally. It holds a strong foothold in China even while competing against Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.

Apple has cultivated one of the most loyal customer bases globally, while Huawei benefits from national pride and local support in China. However, in Western markets, security concerns and lack of Google services have impacted Huawei’s appeal.

Apple’s premium pricing strategy targets high-end consumers, while Huawei offers smartphones across a broad spectrum. Its latest flagships like the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra target premium users, while its Honor sub-brand caters to mid-range buyers. This helps Huawei remain competitive in the Huawei vs Apple global battle.

Final Thoughts

The future prospects of Huawei face uncertainty because it must navigate through U.S. tariffs and restrictions that prevent access to essential components like chipsets and software. The company follows market changes through the development of independent technology frameworks such as HarmonyOS and internal processor units which keeps it relevant across Chinese and specific international markets.

The mobile phone industry will continue to be affected by the ongoing competition between Huawei and Apple in the future. Within the premium segment Apple will sustain its market dominance through software improvements along with ecosystem extension and security enhancements. The geopolitical hurdles will not stop Huawei from pursuing research and development in hardware systems and artificial intelligence applications. Smartphone consumers profit from this competitive dynamic because it stimulates new innovations and extends mobile device capabilities while strengthening market variety.