1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | The Motorola Edge 20 is taller and thinner, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max is wider and thicker. The Edge 20 will feel slimmer in hand, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a more substantial feel and is larger overall. |
| Weight | 226g | 163g | The Motorola Edge 20 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. The iPhone 11 Pro Max feels heavy and might cause fatigue during long use. |
| Build | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Edge 20 offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. The iPhone 11 Pro Max's screen protection is unspecified. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Motorola Edge 20 offers a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and more detailed images. |
| PPI | 458 | 385 | The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a noticeably sharper display, which is important for reading small text and viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of OLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola Edge 20 provides much smoother animations and transitions, enhancing the gaming and scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 11 Pro Max is vastly superior for outdoor use under bright sunlight due to its higher brightness. The Motorola Edge 20's brightness is unspecified, making it hard to assess outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | The Apple A13 Bionic offers better overall performance and efficiency and will handle demanding tasks more smoothly than the Snapdragon 778G 5G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 589,200 | The iPhone 11 Pro Max demonstrates much better performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 642L | The Apple GPU provides better graphics processing, giving the iPhone 11 Pro Max an advantage in graphically intensive tasks like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.70µm | The Motorola Edge 20 captures more detailed images due to its higher megapixel count and larger sensor. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has better low light capabilities due to its larger pixel size and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | None | iPhone 11 Pro Max allows for optical zoom capabilities, improving detail in distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.70µm | Motorola Edge 20 captures higher resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | The Motorola Edge 20 offers telephoto capabilities, improving detail in distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers more versatility with its wide-angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 16MP, f/2.2 | Motorola Edge 20 offers more versatility with its wide-angle + macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | Up to 4K@30fps | Both phones can record in 4K resolution, but the iPhone 11 Pro Max offers higher frame rates and HDR for better video quality. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 122 (Photo: 126, Video: 124) | Not tested | The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a proven camera performer with good photo and video capabilities, according to DxOMark tests. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 122 (Photo: 115, Video: 134) | Not tested | The iPhone 11 Pro Max's front camera offers solid performance according to DxOMark tests. |
| Camera Features | OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Optical zoom, Digital stabilization, Manual focus, Panorama | The iPhone 11 Pro Max has features like OIS, RAW and night mode for improved image quality while the Motorola Edge 20 has features like Optical zoom, manual focus, digital stabilization and panorama. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 4020mAh | Both have comparable battery capacity, likely offering similar battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Motorola Edge 20 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | 18W Fast charge, Wireless reverse charging | Reverse charging | Both phones offer reverse charging but only the iPhone 11 Pro Max offers wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The A13 Bionic chip offers substantially better performance, making the phone more responsive and better for demanding tasks.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a more detailed and crisp viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Screen Brightness: The 1200 nits brightness makes it much more usable in direct sunlight.
- Better Camera System (Overall): While the Motorola has a higher-resolution main sensor, the iPhone offers more versatile camera system with additional telephoto and wide-angle lens, plus features like OIS, RAW and night mode along with better video capabilities.
- Superior Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, and Stereo Speakers provide a richer audio experience.
- eSIM Support: Offers greater flexibility for international travel.
- Wireless Reverse Charging: Enables convenient wireless charging of other devices.
Practical Implications: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is better for users who need high performance, a great camera, an excellent display with high brightness, and seamless audio experience and are willing to pay more for it.
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable to hold and carry.
- Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience, especially for gaming and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging reduces charging times.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front camera for more detailed selfies.
- Newer Bluetooth version and other Connectivity Features: Provides broader Bluetooth audio codec compatibility and additional connectivity options.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides basic biometric security.
Practical Implications: The Motorola Edge 20 is better for users who prioritize comfort, smoothness, fast charging, and newer connectivity features, often at a lower price point.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: The iPhone has a heavier and thicker design than the Motorola Edge 20. The lower refresh rate display can feel less fluid compared to the 144Hz display of the Motorola. Its charging speeds are not as fast as the Motorola.
- Motorola Edge 20: The Edge 20 has lower screen resolution and a less powerful chipset than the iPhone. Its camera is not as versatile as the iPhone's and its brightness levels are unspecfied, making outdoor use uncertain. It also lacks some premium features like Dolby Atmos and wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need maximum performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want the best possible photo and video quality with versatility.
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phone in direct sunlight.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those already invested in Apple products and services.
- Users who need eSIM Support: Travelers who want flexibility in using multiple carriers.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photographers/videographers who need high-quality content capture.
- Mobile gamers who require smooth performance and accurate color.
- Users who often use their phones in bright outdoor environments.
- Travelers who want the flexibility of multiple SIM cards.
Motorola Edge 20 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking good value without compromising on display quality.
- Casual Gamers: Those who enjoy gaming and want a smoother visual experience.
- Users who prioritize Comfort: Those who value a lightweight and comfortable design.
- Users who need Fast Charging: Those who often find themselves needing to quickly top up their battery.
- Users who prefer Android: Those who prefer Android over iOS.
Specific Use Cases:
- Casual gamers who want a smoother gaming experience without the high price.
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and comfortable phone for everyday use.
- Users who need a fast-charging phone for a busy lifestyle.
- Users who prefer Android over iOS.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 11 Pro Max is typically more expensive.
- How important is performance? If you need top-tier performance, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the better choice.
- How important is the camera, battery, or display brightness? If you need the best camera system, good display brightness, the iPhone is better, if you need battery speed and a smoother display experience, the Motorola is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photography/Videography: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the better choice due to its more versatile and better-performing camera system, and superior video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming Enthusiast: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is better for demanding games due to the superior performance. For casual gaming, the Motorola Edge 20 offers a smoother display experience.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor User: The iPhone 11 Pro Max with 1200 nits is the only viable option due to its excellent outdoor brightness.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: The Motorola Edge 20 offers a good balance of features, comfort, and a smooth display at a more affordable price.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max. While the Motorola Edge 20 has some appealing features like a lighter design, smoother display, and faster charging, the iPhone 11 Pro Max provides a significantly better overall experience for me. Its vastly superior performance is crucial for demanding tasks and gaming. The brighter, higher-resolution display, and versatile camera system with better video capabilities would also be key factors. Although it is heavier, the superior build quality, and audio enhancements, along with the benefits of the iOS ecosystem, make it the better option for my use case. The additional wireless reverse charging and eSIM support are also convenient. While it comes at a higher cost, the overall experience and future proofing of the device justify the price for me.
