1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola Moto G35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 166.3 × 76 × 7.8 mm | Moto G35 is taller and slightly thinner, while the iPhone is wider. Moto G35 may feel more comfortable in hand due to less width. |
| Weight | 226g | 188g | Moto G35 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.72" | Moto G35 has a slightly larger screen, which may be preferred for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 11 Pro Max's higher resolution offers a significantly sharper and more detailed image, making text clearer and images look more crisp. |
| PPI | 458 | 392 | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper and more refined display. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 11 Pro Max's OLED provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD on the Moto G35. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G35's higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1000 nits | iPhone 11 Pro Max's higher brightness offers better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | iPhone 11 Pro Max's A13 Bionic offers significantly better performance, resulting in faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 423,297 | iPhone 11 Pro Max provides much faster performance and can handle demanding tasks like gaming and video editing much better. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G57 (ARM Mali-G57 MP4) | iPhone 11 Pro Max's GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks, like gaming, more efficiently. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Moto G35 has higher resolution, but iPhone 11 Pro Max's larger sensor and pixel size result in better low-light performance and potentially better dynamic range. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | N/A | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which allows for closer shots without losing detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 16MP, f/2.45 | Moto G35 offers a higher resolution selfie camera, but other factors like sensor size and image processing could impact final image quality. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | iPhone 11 Pro Max has slightly higher resolution but Moto G35's wider aperture potentially means better low light in wide-angle photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers more video recording options with up to 60fps at 4k. Both offer slow-motion recording but at different frame rates. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G35 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. Actual battery life can vary based on usage. |
| Charging | 18W fast, wireless reverse charging | 18W fast | Both support 18W fast charging, but iPhone has the added advantage of wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 (upgradable to 18) | Android 14 | Different operating systems; iOS provides a closed ecosystem and smoother performance, while Android offers more customization options. |
| Other | |||
| Storage | 64/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a higher storage option (512GB), while Moto G35 has 128 GB and 256 GB options. Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4/8 GB | Moto G35 has an 8GB RAM option, which will improve multitasking over the 4GB iPhone. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both phones have Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers. iPhone has a noise-canceling microphone while Motorola has 2 microphones. |
| Security | Basic security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G35 offers biometric security with a fingerprint sensor, a convenient security feature. iPhone doesn't have a fingerprint sensor, only face unlock. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Moto G35 uses Gorilla Glass 3 for superior screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display Quality: The OLED display with higher resolution, PPI, and brightness offers a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors and crisp details.
- Higher Performance: The A13 Bionic chip delivers much faster processing speeds, which leads to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Better Camera System: The inclusion of a telephoto lens, along with generally better sensor technology and image processing, results in more versatile and higher-quality photos, especially in low-light conditions.
- Comprehensive Video Features: The iPhone supports high frame rate 4K recording and offers a more mature video ecosystem overall.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: This feature adds convenience for users with compatible devices.
Motorola Moto G35 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, which is great for users who need all-day power.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a smoother experience when scrolling and using the interface.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers a convenient and secure way to unlock the device.
- Newer Android Version: Android 14 gives the Moto G35 access to modern software features.
- Lighter Weight: The reduced weight is more comfortable for extended use.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is a nice feature compared to the unknown screen protection of the iPhone.
- More RAM options: 8GB of RAM is an upgrade for heavier multitasking and app usage.
Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Battery Life: The iPhone prioritizes performance, while the Moto G35 prioritizes battery life.
- Display Quality vs. Refresh Rate: The iPhone has a superior display in terms of resolution and color, but the Moto G35 has a smoother 120Hz refresh rate.
- Camera Versatility vs. Resolution: The iPhone has more versatile camera options, while the Moto G35 offers higher resolution for the main and selfie cameras, but may not perform as well in low-light.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Ideal User: Users who value display quality, performance, and a mature camera system. Those who are willing to pay for premium features and have a preference for the iOS ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile photography and videography
- Demanding games and graphic-intensive apps
- Users who are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem
- Users who value premium features and performance
- Users who value detailed and crisp display
Motorola Moto G35:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life and a smoother display. Those who are on a tighter budget, prefer the Android OS, and value features like a fingerprint sensor and newer Android version.
- Use Cases:
- Daily driver for social media, browsing, and media consumption
- Users who need a phone that lasts all day
- Users who enjoy a smoother scrolling experience.
- Users who want a lightweight device with modern features.
- Users who prefer basic and effective smartphone features.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions buyers should consider:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 11 Pro Max is positioned as a high-end phone, while the Moto G35 is targeted to budget-conscious consumers. This is a primary factor to consider.
- How important is performance versus battery life? If you are a power user who frequently games and uses demanding apps, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is better. However, if battery life is a higher priority, the Moto G35 is the better choice.
- Do you prefer a high-quality display or smooth animations? The iPhone offers a superior display, while the Moto G35 has a smoother 120Hz refresh rate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the better option due to its superior camera features and video recording options.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Mobile Gamer: The iPhone 11 Pro Max provides the performance needed for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User Who Needs All-Day Battery: The Moto G35 is the better choice with longer battery life, fingerprint sensor, lighter weight, and modern Android version.
- Scenario 4: Casual User Prioritizing Media Consumption: The Moto G35's larger screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and good battery will provide a better user experience, while being lighter.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Here's why:
- Ecosystem Preference: I'm already embedded in the Apple ecosystem, which makes the iPhone a seamless choice.
- Superior Performance: The A13 Bionic chip provides a level of performance that I find essential for my typical usage, including multitasking, and gaming. I am not an ultra-heavy gamer, but I do play graphically intensive games from time to time.
- Display Quality: The OLED display is superior in terms of color accuracy, sharpness, and overall viewing experience, which is important to me for media consumption.
- Camera Capabilities: While the Motorola's main camera has higher resolution, the iPhone's telephoto lens and better video recording capabilities make it more versatile for my needs. I'm often taking pictures in low-light situations.
- Long-Term Support: While the iPhone is older, the excellent performance and software support ensures it will be a smooth device to use for years.
While the Moto G35 does have some advantages like a larger battery and smoother screen, those don't outweigh the importance of the display quality, camera, and overall system performance of the iPhone 11 Pro Max for me personally. I am also less price-sensitive and prefer the iOS environment.
