1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 168.9 × 75.8 × 9.3 mm | Moto G is taller and thicker; iPhone is wider. Moto G is slightly larger overall but iPhone fits better in hand due to its width |
| Weight | 226g | 215g | Motorola is lighter by 11g; marginally more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | Moto G offers a slightly larger viewing area |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2460 | iPhone screen is noticeably sharper with more detail, especially visible when viewing high-resolution images/videos |
| Pixel Density | 458 ppi | 395 ppi | iPhone display is significantly crisper, resulting in better text clarity and overall image quality |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and richer colors; OLED is generally preferred for its enhanced visual experience |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G display offers much smoother scrolling and animations, making interactions feel more fluid. Better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone display is significantly brighter, making it much more readable in direct sunlight, while the Motorola G’s brightness spec was not given, implying poor readability in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | iPhone's A13 Bionic is significantly more powerful, leading to snappier app launches, better multitasking, and smoother graphics in demanding games and heavy apps |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 385,000 | iPhone offers vastly superior performance, ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking. Motorola G is good for everyday use. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 619 | iPhone's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to smoother graphics and higher frame rates in games and other graphic-intensive applications |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life, especially for extended use; iPhone needs to be charged more often. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | iPhone supports 18W fast charging, while the Motorola charging specs are unclear. |
| Features | Non-removable, Fast charge, Wireless Reverse charging | Non-removable | iPhone has fast charging and wireless charging features, making it convenient for a faster charging time. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | iPhone has a larger sensor and pixel size, resulting in better low-light performance and image quality. The Moto G has higher resolution but smaller sensor and pixel size. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | None | iPhone has telephoto camera, for better zoomed images |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | Motorola G has higher resolution selfie camera and slightly larger pixel size |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | iPhone has a higher resolution wide-angle camera, while Moto G has a wider aperture |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm | Motorola offers Macro camera for very close up shots |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 1080p@60fps with EIS | iPhone supports higher quality 4K video recording; Motorola has electronic image stabilization for smoother 1080p videos. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 122, Selfie: 122 | Not Rated | iPhone is rated 122 by DxoMark for photo/video quality; Moto G is not rated. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, RAW, OIS | Night Mode 2.0, Digital image stabilization, Manual focus, OIS | iPhone supports 4K video recording and RAW image capture, giving more flexibility in post processing. Moto G has some advanced features including night mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13, upgradeable to iOS 18 | Android 12 | iPhone has its own OS, with a closed ecosystem, and long software support. Motorola uses Android, with a more open approach. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | 802.11ac | iPhone has newer WiFi, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks; Motorola G has Wifi Direct/Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | Motorola uses slightly newer Bluetooth with support for better quality codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Motorola G offers more satellite systems for accurate location tracking |
| SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | Single SIM | iPhone has an advantage for travelers, allowing use of two lines on the same device |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/256/512 GB | 256 GB | iPhone offers more storage options up to 512GB for high-capacity users. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | Motorola has double the RAM, for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | 2 microphones | iPhone has better quality sound recording and reproduction; Dolby atmos is much better than standard microphones for consuming audio and video content |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola has fingerprint reader for quick and secure unlocking |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | iPhone has a barometer for elevation tracking; Motorola has a fingerprint reader for enhanced security. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display: Sharper, brighter OLED display with much better color reproduction than Motorola's IPS LCD. The contrast of an OLED panel is noticeably better than an IPS panel.
- Significantly Higher Performance: A13 Bionic chip provides substantially faster performance, suitable for demanding apps and gaming.
- Superior Camera System: Better image quality with larger sensor, telephoto lens, and 4K video recording at 60fps.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos with stereo speakers for more immersive audio.
- Premium Build and Design: Known for its premium build quality.
- Better software support Apple provides very long support of their devices, unlike most Android phones.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life than the iPhone's 3969mAh.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz display makes scrolling and animations much smoother.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM allows for better multitasking performance.
- Macro Camera: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- More satellite positioning systems The phone is expected to have more accurate GPS tracking due to it using more satelite systems.
- Fingerprint Scanner Provides fast and secure biometric unlock.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone excels in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities, but falls behind in battery capacity, refresh rate, and does not have as many security features
- Motorola excels in display smoothness, battery life, and some niche camera capabilities but lags far behind in overall performance, display quality, and image/video capture quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is Ideal For:
- Professional Photographers/Videographers: The superior camera system, 4K video recording, and RAW support are ideal for professional content creators.
- Power Users: Demanding users that prioritize performance, multitasking and high-performance applications.
- Users who prioritize premium display quality: Excellent color reproduction and pixel density for viewing and enjoying content.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Users who prefer a compact design: The phone is a bit smaller than the Motorola.
Specific Use Cases:
- High quality photos and videos, advanced video editing on-device, fast mobile gaming, using multiple apps simultaneously.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is Ideal For:
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize battery life, smooth scrolling, and general everyday tasks.
- Users on a Budget: Provides a decent experience at a lower price point compared to the iPhone.
- Users who value having a stylus: Allows for more versatility in writing and note taking.
- Users who prefer an Android experience: The Android ecosystem has a much more open approach than Apple.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long battery life for all-day usage, smooth scrolling and browsing, using for a lot of media consumption.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a premium device with premium features and performance but comes at a higher price point.
- The Motorola G Stylus 5G (2022) is a more budget-friendly device that offers good value for its price point, though does not have the advanced features found in the iPhone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs Battery Life: Do you need a powerful device that is fast, or do you prioritize having your phone last all day without charging?
- Camera Quality vs Smooth Display: Is having high-quality images/videos more important than a smooth display, or vice versa?
- Ecosystem Preference: Do you prefer Apple's ecosystem or Android's flexibility?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Photography/Videography): Choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max for its superior camera system and video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2 (Budget-Conscious User): Choose the Motorola G Stylus 5G (2022) for its excellent battery life, more RAM, and lower price.
- Scenario 3 (Everyday User with Demanding Apps): Choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max for its overall performance and better app experience, if within the budget.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max. Despite being an older model, its strengths in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities make it the more appealing option for my usage. While the Motorola has a larger battery and a smoother screen, the iPhone's superior photo/video capabilities are crucial, along with its more polished, high-performance user experience. I value having the flexibility to edit photos and videos on the go, the crisp image quality of its OLED display, and the overall power that the A13 bionic chip provides for demanding tasks. The fact that it has 4k video at 60fps, while also having a wide and telephoto lens, make it more suitable for someone who wants a device that has the best camera capabilities for its time.
