1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | Motorola is taller and slightly thicker; iPhone is wider. |
| Weight | 226g | 198.5g | Motorola is significantly lighter, better for extended use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone designs. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Motorola has a slightly larger screen, minimal difference. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | iPhone has a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 458 | 395 | iPhone offers crisper text and images due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Similar display quality, both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola provides much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1250 nits | Motorola is slightly brighter, may be marginally better outdoors. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Motorola offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola uses a newer chipset, offering faster processing and improved efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 916,151 | 1,231,300 | Motorola demonstrates better benchmark scores, indicative of faster overall performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Motorola's GPU provides better graphics processing performance, especially in demanding games. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Motorola has significantly more RAM, providing better multitasking and app performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22", 0.64µm | Motorola captures more detail, better low-light performance due to larger sensor. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | None | iPhone offers dedicated telephoto for portraits, not found on the Motorola. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.64µm | Motorola produces much higher resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6 | Motorola provides dedicated optical zoom, not present in the iPhone. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Motorola has a wider field of view and better low-light performance. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Motorola offers superior video resolution and advanced stabilization. |
| Slow-Motion Video | Yes, 240 fps | Yes, 960 fps | Motorola captures super slow-motion at much higher framerates |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 122, Selfie: 122 | No Data | iPhone's camera is rated on DXOMark; Motorola's camera is not rated |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, OIS, Night Mode, RAW, etc. | 4K/8K Video, OIS, RAW, PDAF, etc. | Motorola has additional features such as 8K video, PDAF, and optical zoom. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 4610mAh | Motorola has a larger battery for longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 125W fast charging | Motorola charges significantly faster; a crucial advantage for quick top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | Wireless reverse charging | 50W wireless fast charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | Motorola has faster wireless charging capabilities and also provides reverse wireless charging. |
| Battery type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries are generally considered more efficient and safer than Li-Ion, although practically the differences may not be noticeable. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 13, max version 18 | Android 12, max version 13 | Different operating systems, preference depends on user ecosystem and features. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, dual-band, Hotspot | WiFi 6, dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MIMO | Motorola has more advanced Wi-Fi connectivity features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Motorola has a newer Bluetooth version for improved connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Motorola provides better GPS coverage using more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | iPhone supports eSIM for easy digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | 64/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | iPhone has higher storage options at maximum configuration |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both offer quality audio, iPhone includes noise cancellation for clearer calls, Motorola has an additional microphone. |
| Security | Basic Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola has fingerprint recognition for easy unlock and security. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Motorola has fingerprint, Gravity, Apple features Barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer superior clarity.
- eSIM Support: Allows for easier digital carrier switching for travel.
- Dedicated Telephoto Camera: Provides superior optical zoom for portrait photography.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Offers clearer calls.
DXOMark Ratings: Provides camera quality metrics for users to understand performance
Practical Implication: Ideal for users who prioritize visual fidelity, seamless international travel, and portrait-focused photography.
- Trade-off: Lacks the superior performance, refresh rate, and charging speed of the Motorola.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides a fluid, fast, experience.
- Faster Performance: Newer chipset and more RAM lead to faster app loading and better multitasking.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired charging and fast wireless charging.
- Superior Main Camera: Higher resolution sensor and larger sensor for detail rich photography.
- Better Video: Higher video resolution (8K) with advanced image stabilization.
- Better Connectivity More advanced Wi-Fi connectivity and improved location accuracy
Fingerprint Sensor: Provides biometric authentication.
Practical Implication: Suited for users who prioritize speed, smooth visuals, and versatile photography/videography capabilities.
- Trade-off: The display is not as sharp as the iPhone, and it lacks a dedicated telephoto camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Ideal User: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, prefer a more controlled operating system, those who prioritize display clarity, and portrait photography enthusiasts.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photographers who value color accuracy.
- Frequent travelers who benefit from eSIM.
- Users wanting the best possible quality screen for content consumption.
- Users who need noise cancellation for clearer calls
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
- Ideal User: Users who want top-end performance, smooth visuals, fast charging, and flexible photography options, as well as a more open Android system.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need a fast refresh rate and powerful graphics.
- Users who capture a lot of high-resolution videos.
- Power users who frequently multitask on their phones.
- Users who need best quality GPS.
- Users who often need fast wireless charging
- Users that need the best possible slow-motion video
Price-to-Value Ratio
The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra was launched almost 3 years after the iPhone 11 Pro Max. It offers far superior value for money as it packs a much more powerful processor, faster charging, a newer display and a more versatile camera for the same price bracket.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Operating System Preference: iOS vs. Android is a fundamental choice based on ecosystem and preference.
- Performance vs. Display Fidelity: Do you prioritize speed and fluidity, or a sharper display and portrait photography?
- Charging Speed and Versatility: How important is fast charging and versatile photography to your daily routine?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Content Consumption and Photography
- Recommendation: If you mainly watch content and take a lot of portrait photos the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max provides the best quality screen and telephoto lens.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming and Power User
- Recommendation: The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra will be ideal with its high refresh rate display, superior performance, and fast charging.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious Buyer
- Recommendation: The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers more modern specs and better performance for the price bracket.
What Would I Choose and Why?
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a slightly sharper display, the Motorola offers a significantly more compelling overall package for my needs.
Here's my reasoning:
- Performance is Key: As someone who uses a smartphone for heavy multitasking, gaming and content creation, the faster processor, higher refresh rate, and additional RAM on the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra make a substantial difference to my daily experience.
- Better Camera Versatility: I value a versatile camera system. The Motorola's higher resolution main and ultrawide sensors, the dedicated telephoto zoom lens, better slow-motion, and higher resolution videos make it a much more compelling option.
- Fast Charging is a Game Changer: The 125W fast charging on the Motorola is a huge advantage, allowing me to quickly top up my battery when needed, and I also value the faster wireless charging speed.
- Modern Connectivity: I find the better GPS accuracy and the advanced Wi-Fi connectivity features useful.
- Android Ecosystem: I prefer the openness and customizability of Android which the Motorola delivers.
While I appreciate the sharp display of the iPhone, I feel that the Motorola's overall performance, better battery features, and versatile camera provide a better user experience. The faster refresh rate, coupled with the much faster charging, makes it the better choice for my needs. Ultimately the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra represents a more modern and versatile package with the best performance to price ratio.
