Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Motorola Edge 30 Fusion
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2019-09-20 | 2022-09-08 | Motorola is significantly newer (3 years), likely to have longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 158.5 × 72 × 7.5 mm | iPhone is wider and thicker, making the Motorola more pocketable and comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 226g | 168g | Motorola is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold for extended periods and less tiring. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.55" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | iPhone has a noticeably sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 458 PPI | 402 PPI | iPhone screen will appear crisper with finer details. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Similar high-quality OLED technology; both offer good blacks and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers much smoother scrolling and animations, especially for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1100 nits | iPhone has slightly better outdoor visibility in very bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Different architectures; both offer excellent performance, but the Snapdragon may have an edge in raw processing power, but not by much. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 904,900 | Near identical general performance; both handle demanding apps well. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 660 | Different GPU designs; both perform well in gaming and graphics processing, but differences are marginal. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | Motorola's larger sensor and higher resolution should offer more detail and better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | None | iPhone provides optical zoom capabilities which are useful for distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | Motorola takes higher-resolution selfies for better detail. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Motorola's wider aperture may allow more light for slightly better wide angle photos. |
| Portrait Depth Sensor | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Motorola can capture more accurate portrait photos with background blur. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 30fps | Motorola allows for 8K video capture, providing highly detailed videos, while the iPhone has high quality 4k video recording with very robust HDR and excellent sound. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 122 | Not Tested | iPhone is known to have a very good camera based on tests and reviews, the Motorola does not have any rating available. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969 mAh | 4400 mAh | Motorola has a slightly larger battery which may result in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Motorola charges much faster; iPhone's charging is significantly slower. |
| Features | Wireless Reverse Charging | None | iPhone offers more charging options and versatility. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | iOS 13 (Upgradeable to iOS 18) | Android 12 (Upgradeable to 13) | Different operating systems with different user interfaces, app ecosystems, and update cycles; Android has more customization, while iOS offers more stability and is easier to use for the average user. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Motorola offers more sharing options with its wifi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Motorola has a slightly newer version for potentially better performance and power saving. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1) | Motorola has more satellite support, which provides more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | iPhone offers the flexibility of using an eSIM or two Nano SIMs, Motorola has two Nano SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | iPhone offers larger storage capacity, especially the 512GB model. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8/12GB | Motorola has much more RAM, better for multitasking and heavy apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can expand storage using SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancelling Mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | iPhone offers noise cancellation mic for clearer calls and better spatial audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola provides biometric unlocking using fingerprint, which is more convenient than FaceID. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | iPhone has a barometer, Motorola has fingerprint sensor, they provide features that make sense for each phone ecosystem. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: The iPhone's screen is noticeably sharper, resulting in better text clarity and image detail.
- Better Camera System: The Telephoto camera with optical zoom offers versatility for different types of shots.
- Wireless Reverse Charging: Allows the iPhone to wirelessly charge other devices.
- Software Ecosystem: iOS is known for its stability, updates, and app optimization.
- Audio Quality: It offers more features in the audio department, with a noise-canceling mic, which can be useful for calls.
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion Advantages:
- Newer Device: Being newer, it benefits from more recent hardware and typically longer software support.
- Lighter & More Compact: Easier to handle, especially for extended use.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Provides smoother animations and a more fluid user experience.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging time, reducing downtime significantly.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Capable of capturing more detail in photos.
- 8K Video: Able to record videos at 8K, providing very high resolution video capture.
- More RAM: Higher RAM capacities mean better performance when multitasking.
- Fingerprint sensor: Quicker and easier than FaceID in some situations like when wearing a face mask.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Heavier, slower charging, older tech with a lower refresh rate.
- Motorola Edge 30 Fusion: No telephoto camera and the display is slightly less sharp, not tested by DXOMark.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Ideal Users: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, prefer a simple software experience, require a very sharp display, and value the optical zoom functionality.
- Use Cases: Photo enthusiasts who need the flexibility of a telephoto lens, users who prioritize a stable and cohesive ecosystem, those who do not mind slightly slower charging, and prefer a more tried and true ecosystem.
- Price-to-Value: May be perceived as less value in a head to head spec comparison with other 3 year old phones.
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion:
- Ideal Users: Users who desire a lightweight device, prioritize fast charging, like very smooth scrolling, and prefer a versatile camera system, while also not being too concerned about having a telephoto lens.
- Use Cases: Gamers who benefit from high refresh rates, users who value fast charging for on-the-go needs, and those who prioritize good low light and overall camera performance on a budget.
- Price-to-Value: Probably a good price to value proposition for the user in this scenario.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a sharp, detailed display, or a smoother refresh rate? The iPhone has higher resolution, while the Motorola is much smoother.
- Is fast charging a must-have, or is slower charging acceptable? Motorola has much faster charging, while the iPhone charges much slower.
- Are you more deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS, or are you open to Android and more customizations? This will help you decide between the two ecosystems.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer - If the telephoto and overall camera system is what you are going for, the iPhone is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: The Motorola is the better choice due to the smooth 144Hz screen and faster charging, if the resolution is not a big concern.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious User: If the user is looking for a well rounded phone with good specs for a decent price, the Motorola may offer a better value.
- Scenario 4: Average Everyday User: Both phones can handle day to day use well. The iPhone has a tried and true ecosystem, and a more crisp screen, and the Motorola has more RAM and battery, which might be preferable.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion. Here's why:
- Faster charging and better refresh rate: As someone who uses my phone very often throughout the day, the super fast charging and much smoother refresh rate are a must.
- Newer device with more RAM: The Motorola's newer tech and ample RAM would be better for longevity and multitasking. While the lack of a telephoto lens is a drawback, the higher-resolution primary camera and the overall speed of the system is something I value more for my use case.
While the iPhone 11 Pro Max has an excellent display and ecosystem, the lack of fast charging, lower refresh rate, and overall older hardware, make it less desirable than the newer Motorola, which meets my personal needs and preferences better.
