Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2019-09-20 | 2024-04-08 | Motorola is significantly newer, with potentially updated technology |
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm | 161.2 x 72.4 x 8.2 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and narrower, iPhone wider, both similar thickness |
| Weight | 226g | 186g | Motorola is significantly lighter, improving long-term comfort |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Motorola has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1220x2712 | Both displays are similarly sharp and detailed |
| Pixel Density | 458 PPI | 446 PPI | Both have very sharp displays with negligible difference |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both use high-quality OLED-based technology |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola's display is much smoother, better for gaming/scrolling |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nits | Motorola's display is much brighter, better for outdoor use |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Different architectures; A13 excels in raw power, Snapdragon is more efficient |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 866,863 | iPhone 11 Pro Max scores slightly higher, indicating marginally better performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 720 | Different GPUs, iPhone A13 offers good processing, Adreno is mid-range. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 4500mAh | Motorola has a larger battery, likely for longer usage |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | Motorola charges much faster, providing quick top-ups |
| Features | 18W Fast charge, Wireless reverse charging | 125W Fast Charge, 50W Wireless, Reverse charging, 10W Wireless reverse | Motorola offers significantly faster wired and wireless charging |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Motorola's main camera captures more detail with higher resolution |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.4 | Motorola's wider aperture allows better low light performance |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Motorola selfie camera captures significantly more detail |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes | Yes, 10MP | Both have telephoto lenses, but iPhone's not specified and Motorola's is 10 MP |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Motorola's wider aperture provides better low light performance for wide angle lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer high-quality recording, iPhone offers better FPS. |
| Camera DXOMark | Mobile: 122, Selfie: 122 | Not Available | iPhone has benchmark scores, Motorola's not tested, making a direct comparison difficult |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, OIS, Night Mode, RAW | 4K Video, OIS, Time-lapse, Optical zoom, Night Mode, RAW, PDAF, Dual Capture | Motorola has more features including optical zoom and advanced autofocus |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 14 (upgradable to Android 17) | iOS is known for seamlessness, Android for customizability. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E | Motorola supports newer faster WiFi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Motorola features a newer bluetooth version with better audio codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC | Motorola supports more satellite systems for improved accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both provide dual sim, eSIM support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/256GB/512GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Motorola offers up to 1TB, no expandable storage on either |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB/16GB | Motorola has substantially more RAM for smoother multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Both have excellent audio, Motorola has more mics |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola has biometric security, iPhone doesn't. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola has a fingerprint sensor. iPhone has a barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Marginally Better Performance: The A13 chip provides a slight performance edge, which might be noticeable in very demanding tasks.
- Established ecosystem: Benefits from Apple's well-integrated iOS ecosystem
- DXOMark Scores: Provides a benchmark for camera performance.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Technology: Released several years later, incorporating newer standards in connectivity and features.
- Superior Display: Significantly higher refresh rate (144Hz) and brightness (2000 nits) provide a smoother and more visible display.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging are substantially faster than the iPhone's 18W charging.
- Larger Battery: Larger capacity and more efficient processor could translate to longer battery life.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Significantly higher resolution cameras for both main and selfie lenses results in more detail.
- More RAM & Storage: Offers much more RAM for multitasking and more storage capacity
- More advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 for improved connection speeds, range and audio codecs.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers an additional biometric security option.
- Better Build Protection: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max's older chip does not support 5G. The Motorola does not either.
- iPhone has no expandable storage.
- Motorola lacks official camera benchmarks
- Motorola's android has a reputation for lacking long term software support compared to the iPhone
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
- Those who prioritize slightly higher benchmark performance and prefer iOS simplicity.
- Users who trust in the known camera quality.
- Users who want a device they can reliably use for a long time
Use Cases:
- Seamless operation with other Apple devices.
- Users who use camera to share content on social media
- Consistent performance for daily tasks and common apps.
- General use within a closed ecosystem and known device environment
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a smoother display and faster charging.
- Those who want newer connectivity and features with a preference for Android's customizability.
- Users who need the extra RAM and storage.
- Users who prefer to take lots of photos and videos, especially in low-light
- Those who want a more flexible phone experience that works across ecosystems
- Users who want the latest connectivity features
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming or heavy multitasking with smooth animations.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight with great visibility.
- Quick battery top-ups for busy users.
- High-quality photos and video across a variety of lighting environments
- Mobile photography and content creation.
- Users who want to keep a large amount of photos and videos offline.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Ecosystem Preference: How important is seamless integration with Apple products vs. having the flexibility of Android?
- Performance vs. Display & Battery: Do you prioritize a slight edge in raw performance, or are display smoothness, faster charging, and battery life more crucial?
- Camera Needs: Do you need the latest features or will a known camera suffice?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Apple-Centric User: If you heavily rely on Apple's ecosystem and prefer its simplicity, and value benchmark scores, the iPhone 11 Pro Max remains a viable option but not as future-proof.
- Performance and Features User: If you prioritize a smoother and brighter display, faster charging, and more flexible connectivity features, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the clear choice.
- Budget Conscious User: Consider the Motorola Edge 50 Pro due to its modern features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones today, I would select the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. Here’s why:
- Future-Proofing: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a much newer device, offering newer technologies, connectivity standards, and components. While the iPhone 11 Pro Max is still a good phone, its older hardware limits its longevity and performance in comparison.
- Display Experience: The 144Hz refresh rate and 2000 nits brightness of the Motorola's display is a game-changer for overall usage, especially for gaming and outdoor visibility.
- Fast Charging: The 125W fast charging on the Motorola is a significant convenience, far surpassing the iPhone's 18W charging. This ensures I can quickly top up my phone and remain on the go.
- Camera Capabilities: While the iPhone has a solid camera, the higher resolution and wider aperture of the Motorola’s cameras, coupled with more flexible features, are more compelling for my photography needs. The lack of DXOMark score is a risk but the improved specs are a good indication of performance.
- Modern Features: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, significantly more RAM, and a larger storage capacity on the Motorola make it a more future-ready device.
- Android Flexibility: As an Android user, the ability to have better customizability and more freedom within the OS is a significant advantage over the limitations of iOS.
- Value: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers more modern specifications and newer technology at a similar or potentially lower price point (depending on local prices), representing a better value proposition.
While the iPhone 11 Pro Max is a competent device, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro simply provides more compelling features, modern technology and a better overall experience for me.
