Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Motorola ThinkPhone
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and Motorola ThinkPhone, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | The iPhone 11 Pro Max is wider and feels more bulky in hand, while the ThinkPhone is slightly taller and thicker, but thinner in width for better grip. |
| Weight | 226g | 188.5g | The ThinkPhone is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and less tiring for holding for extended periods, such as while reading, or watching movies. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The ThinkPhone is expected to have better scratch resistance, leading to better long-term durability. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Both have very similar display sizes. The slight 0.1" difference is barely noticeable in daily usage. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | The iPhone 11 Pro Max's higher resolution results in a sharper, clearer display, making text and images appear more refined. |
| Pixel Density | 458 ppi | 399 ppi | The iPhone 11 Pro Max will exhibit visibly sharper images, important for detailed viewing of photos and text. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both technologies provide excellent colors and contrast. The difference between the two won't be very noticeable to the average user. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The ThinkPhone's higher refresh rate results in significantly smoother scrolling, animation and gaming, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both phones offer similar peak brightness for good outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The ThinkPhone's newer and more powerful chipset leads to faster app loading, snappier multitasking and better performance in demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 1,232,700 | The ThinkPhone achieves better performance, offering smoother gameplay and faster app loading and switching. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | The ThinkPhone's Adreno 730 GPU provides better graphics performance, especially in gaming and other graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | The ThinkPhone has a higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially leading to higher detail and better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | Not Present | The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers optical zoom capabilities absent in the ThinkPhone. This allows for clearer zoomed-in photos without significant loss of detail. |
| Selfie | 12MP | 32MP, f/2.45 | The ThinkPhone's higher resolution selfie camera can capture more detailed images and has better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | Not Present | The iPhone 11 Pro Max's wide angle camera can capture a wider scene, suitable for landscapes or group photos. |
| Portrait (Depth) | Not Present | 2MP, f/2.4 | The ThinkPhone has a dedicated depth sensor, improving portrait mode effects and subject separation. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Present | 13MP, f/2.4 | The ThinkPhone offers a versatile wide-angle lens with macro capabilities, enabling both landscape and close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | The ThinkPhone has 8k video capabilities, offering professional grade video recording, while both phones offer a range of high-quality video recording options. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 122, Photo: 126, Video: 124; Selfie: 122, Photo: 115, Video: 134 | Not Available | The iPhone 11 Pro Max has excellent performance and is known for great photo and video capture, but DxOMark score is not available for Thinkphone. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 5000mAh | The ThinkPhone has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life for daily usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | The ThinkPhone charges much faster, reducing the amount of time spent waiting for the phone to charge. |
| Features | Wireless reverse charging | 15W wireless charging | Both phones support wireless charging, The iPhone 11 Pro Max is capable of reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other wireless devices wirelessly. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 13 (Upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 13 | The iPhone provides a user-friendly and well-integrated ecosystem. The ThinkPhone offers greater customization and flexibility through its Android operating system. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo, Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Both phones provide good connectivity; The ThinkPhone features more modern Bluetooth and better satellite support. |
| Storage | 64/256/512 GB, 4 GB RAM | 256 GB, 8 GB RAM | The ThinkPhone has more RAM, improving multitasking, while the iPhone offers more internal storage options. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both phones offer excellent audio. The iPhone offers a noise cancellation microphone, while the ThinkPhone has two microphones. |
| Security | Basic security features | Fingerprint sensor | The ThinkPhone provides better security with a biometric fingerprint sensor for quickly unlocking your phone. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The ThinkPhone offers additional biometric security using a fingerprint scanner, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max provides a barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a more detailed and visually appealing screen.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed-in photos.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers a wider field of view for landscape and group shots.
- Software Ecosystem: Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- eSIM Support: Enables digital carrier switching and easy travel setup.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Allows for charging other compatible devices wirelessly.
- DxOMark Scores: Demonstrated excellent camera performance in tests.
- Barometer: Includes a barometer sensor for measuring atmospheric pressure.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Improves call quality.
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate offers a significantly more fluid user experience.
- Superior Performance: Newer chipset and more RAM provide noticeably faster performance.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity extends daily usage without needing a charge.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging speeds.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger camera sensor and higher resolution for better image quality, especially in low light conditions.
- 8K Video Recording: Records video at a professional grade 8K resolution.
- Macro Lens: Captures detailed close-up shots with the macro lens.
- Modern Bluetooth: The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.2 offers improved connectivity.
- Fingerprint Sensor: A physical fingerprint sensor provides convenient biometric security.
- Better build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen protection.
- Additional Connectivity features: Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, and Wi-Fi MIMO offer enhanced wireless options.
Trade-offs
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Trades performance, battery, and display smoothness for a sharper display and a more complete camera system (wide angle, telephoto) with a stronger software ecosystem.
- Motorola ThinkPhone: Sacrifices some camera versatility (telephoto and wide angle), a slight display sharpness for superior performance, smoother animations, much longer battery life and much faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal Users
- Apple Ecosystem Enthusiasts: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who appreciate tight integration and continuity.
- Photography Focus: Individuals who value a versatile camera system with excellent zoom and wide angle capabilities.
- Content Consumers: Users who prioritize higher display resolution for sharper text and image viewing.
- Users valuing the Apple ecosystem: Those who want devices that integrate well with their other Apple products.
- Users wanting a balanced smartphone: Those who want a mix of all the necessary features.
Use Cases:
- Landscape photography and portrait shots.
- Users who often use several apps simultaneously
- Recording high quality 4k videos.
- Users heavily invested in the Apple Ecosystem.
Motorola ThinkPhone Ideal Users
- Android Power Users: Individuals who need the best performance and smoother experience.
- Mobile Gamers: Users who want a phone that excels in mobile gaming due to its higher refresh rate and powerful chipset.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need all-day battery life and fast charging for longer workdays or extended usage.
- Professional Content Creators: Users that want an 8k recording capable device.
- Users who value customization and flexibility: Those who like Android's openness and customization options.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- Professional video recording with 8k capabilities.
- Extended usage without needing to charge frequently.
- Those who prefer a snappy interface over a refined one.
- Photography using macro and main sensor.
Price-to-Value
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a premium smartphone from 2019 and its price may be lower now. It offers a balance of features but with older technology.
- The ThinkPhone offers better performance and modern technology, with features like 144hz refresh rate and 8k video recording capabilities. It represents a better price-to-value proposition overall.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help buyers decide between the two phones:
Do you value display smoothness and raw performance over a sharper screen and a more complete camera system?
- If yes, the ThinkPhone may be the better option.
- If no, the iPhone 11 Pro Max may be preferable.
Do you prioritize ecosystem integration and seamless functionality over maximum performance and battery?
- If yes, the iPhone 11 Pro Max may be the better choice.
- If no, the ThinkPhone may be better.
Do you value long battery life and fast charging speed and are you more interested in the latest and modern technology?
- If yes, the ThinkPhone is the better option.
- If no, the iPhone 11 Pro Max may be more suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User: Choose the Motorola ThinkPhone for the 144Hz display, better performance, and larger battery.
- Scenario 2: Apple Ecosystem User: Choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max for seamless integration, telephoto camera, and reverse wireless charging.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max for its more versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
- Scenario 4: Long Battery Life/Heavy Daily Usage: Choose the Motorola ThinkPhone for longer battery life and fast charging.
- Scenario 5: Users on a Budget: The Motorola ThinkPhone provides a better price-to-value ratio with its superior performance and features.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola ThinkPhone. My reasons are as follows:
- Future-Proof Performance: The newer processor, higher RAM, and faster refresh rate mean the ThinkPhone will likely perform better for longer.
- Battery Life: I value a phone that can easily last all day without needing to charge, and the ThinkPhone offers that with its larger battery.
- Faster Charging: The ThinkPhone's fast charging is a huge benefit for me as I hate waiting around for a phone to charge.
- Practicality: The inclusion of a fingerprint sensor is something I would prefer over a face unlock.
While the iPhone 11 Pro Max has its strengths, including a good camera system and ecosystem integration, for me the ThinkPhone is the more sensible choice as a modern smartphone, offering better long-term usage, performance, and battery life.
