Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Motorola Edge 30 Neo
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm | 152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm | iPhone is larger and bulkier; Edge 30 Neo is more compact for one-handed use |
| Weight | 226g | 155g | iPhone is significantly heavier, making the Edge 30 Neo more comfortable for extended use |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | Need more info on build materials for a better comparison |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable smartphones |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.28" | iPhone has slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing, but the difference isn't huge |
| Resolution | 1242 x 2688 | 1080 x 2400 | iPhone offers a sharper display, with higher pixel density, resulting in clearer images/text |
| Pixel Density | 458 ppi | 419 ppi | iPhone has slightly sharper images and text, although the difference may not be noticeable to everyone |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Difference is minimal in practical usage |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Edge 30 Neo has smoother animations and scrolling, making the UI feel more fluid |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone screen is much brighter, significantly better for outdoor viewing under sunlight. Missing brightness spec for Motorola. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | A13 Bionic is significantly more powerful, offering faster performance and better app loading speeds. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 425,200 | iPhone's superior score indicates much better performance for gaming and demanding tasks |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 619 | Apple's GPU provides better gaming performance and smoother graphics rendering |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.7µm | Edge 30 Neo captures higher-resolution photos, potentially more detail in good light. iPhone has larger pixels, may perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 12MP, f/2.0 | Not Available | iPhone has dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait shots |
| Selfie | 12MP | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7µm | Edge 30 Neo's higher resolution selfie camera may provide more detailed selfies |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | iPhone provides wide-angle camera for landscapes and group photos |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Edge 30 Neo captures wide-angle and macro photos, offering additional versatility |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 1080p 120fps | iPhone has much better video capabilities, supports 4K recording for high-quality video |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 122, Selfie: 122 | Not Available | iPhone's camera is well-regarded according to DxOMark score, but the Motorola doesn't have an available score |
| Camera Features | 4K video, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | OIS, PDAF, LAF, Panorama | iPhone has more advanced features, including RAW capture and night mode for low light. Edge 30 Neo has features like PDAF and LAF for faster focus |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3969 mAh | 4020 mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable daily usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast, Wireless Reverse | 68W Fast, 5W Wireless | Edge 30 Neo has much faster charging capability for quickly topping up; it also supports wireless charging, which the iPhone lacks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone:
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The A13 Bionic chip provides superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and app loading speeds.
- Higher Resolution Display: The iPhone's display has a higher resolution, offering a sharper and more detailed viewing experience.
- Better Camera System: Includes a dedicated telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and higher quality video recording (4K up to 60fps). It also offers features like Night Mode and RAW capture.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility under direct sunlight
- eSIM support: Allows for more flexible use of multiple mobile plans
- Superior Audio Quality Apple provides a noise cancellation microphone for superior voice quality.
- Better GPS support The iPhone includes support for QZSS
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to hold and use with one hand, making it more comfortable for longer periods.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes the user interface and animations feel very fluid.
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging quickly replenishes the battery.
- Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of wireless charging (5W).
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Great for social media enthusiasts who like taking selfies.
- More RAM: Offers 8 GB of RAM for multitasking (vs 4 GB on the iPhone)
- More versatile camera system: Includes a wide-angle + macro camera for a greater variety of photography scenarios.
- Newer Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.1 is a slightly newer standard than Bluetooth 5.0
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max is significantly heavier and bulkier, and its charging speed is much slower. It also lacks the high refresh rate display.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Neo has a less powerful processor, lacks a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and features that the iPhone 11 Pro Max has such as RAW and Night Mode. Also, the screen is less sharp, the main camera has smaller pixels, and the phone lacks a high-quality 4K video option.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need maximum processing power for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality video, optical zoom, wide-angle, and low-light performance.
- Users in bright environments: The iPhone has higher brightness
- Users with a need for better audio: For people who frequently make voice calls, or use their phone's microphone.
Users needing an eSIM: For people who travel frequently and want easy access to local mobile plans.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professionals who need a high-performance phone for work and media creation.
- Users who frequently play graphically intensive mobile games.
- Users who want high quality video recording in 4K
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize ease of use, comfortable handling, and fast charging.
- Social Media Users: People who like taking photos with a high-res selfie camera, with a camera that has good performance in daylight situations.
- Users who want a fast charging phone: For people who often run low on battery.
- Users who want a more fluid experience: The 120hz refresh rate makes the user interface smooth.
- Users who want wireless charging: For people that value convenience.
Users that want a macro camera: For people who frequently need to take photos of small things up close.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday phone use: social media, browsing, media consumption.
- People who want a good quality smartphone at a good price, without needing a premium camera or processing power.
- Users who value a compact and lightweight design.
- People who like to take selfies
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max was a premium phone at its release and retains value in the used market. It provides a powerful processor, and high-quality camera, but lacks more modern amenities such as a higher refresh rate.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is typically more affordable. It offers good value for its features, such as fast charging and a higher refresh rate display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to you? If you need a fast phone for gaming, then the iPhone 11 Pro Max is more suitable. If you're an average user, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo's performance should suffice.
- What are your camera priorities? If you need the best camera quality, 4K recording, optical zoom, and great low-light performance, choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max. If you prefer a versatile camera that has wide-angle and macro features, consider the Motorola.
- Do you value modern amenities? If you prefer a compact phone, with fast charging, a smooth screen, and wireless charging, you'll prefer the Motorola. If you prefer a more high-quality display and performance, you will prefer the iPhone.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Reasoning: The superior processor and GPU ensure smooth performance in any task, including intensive gaming or video editing.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Neo
- Reasoning: Provides good everyday performance, with a smooth display, fast charging, and a comfortable design, at a more budget-friendly price point.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography enthusiast
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Reasoning: It provides a higher quality camera with 4K recording capabilities, and advanced camera modes.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max. Although it's an older phone, the superior performance is more important to me than a more modern set of features. I like to play mobile games, and edit videos on my phone, and the A13 Bionic chip allows for that more easily. The display, while it does not have a 120hz refresh rate, it still provides better sharpness and brightness than the Motorola Edge 30 Neo. The camera's high-quality video and optical zoom are also features that I value in a smartphone. While it lacks some of the more modern features of the Motorola, such as 68W fast charging, and a 120hz refresh rate display, the power and video quality are higher on my priority list.
