Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2022-03-04 | Motorola is newer, potentially better long-term support |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm | Motorola is taller and thicker, Apple is wider. Motorola is more bulky, Apple more compact |
| Weight | 228g | 196g | Motorola is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both phones have the same screen size, similar media experience |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1080 x 2400 | iPhone has a noticeably sharper display, better for detailed images |
| PPI | 458 | 393 | iPhone has a sharper and more detailed screen. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both have great contrast and vibrant colors |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola provides much smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone has better visibility in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Different architectures, both provide top performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,061,400 | iPhone has marginally better benchmark performance |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 | Both offer excellent graphics performance for gaming and demanding tasks |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 4800mAh | Motorola has a much larger battery, potentially longer battery life |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Motorola charges much faster, less time plugged in |
| Features | MagSafe, Qi wireless charging | 15W Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Motorola offers more diverse charging options, iPhone has ecosystem-specific MagSafe |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm | Motorola captures more detail with higher megapixel count, iPhone has wider aperture for low light |
| Selfie | 12MP, f/2.2 | 60MP, f/2.2 | Motorola captures more detail with higher megapixel count |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | iPhone has telephoto lens for optical zoom |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | iPhone has wide angle lens for capturing more scene |
| Depth Sensor | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Motorola has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode |
| Wide + Macro Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has a combined wide and macro lens |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Motorola offers higher video resolution, both have video stabilization |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 131 (Photo: 131, Video: 130) | 101 (Photo: 107, Video: 102) | iPhone has superior overall camera performance based on DxOMark |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 (Photo: 127, Video: 140) | Not Tested | iPhone has superior selfie performance based on DxOMark |
| Features | Optical Zoom, RAW | 8K Video, Laser AF, Dual PDAF | Motorola offers 8k recording and features like laser AF, iPhone offers superior image processing and optical zoom |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to 18) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Different ecosystems, iOS known for simplicity, Android for customization |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MIMO | WiFi 6, Direct, Display | Both have fast WiFi; Motorola has extra features |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Motorola has newer Bluetooth and advanced codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Both have comprehensive GPS; iPhone has more systems, Motorola more advanced systems |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone supports eSIM for digital carrier switching, Motorola has dual physical SIMs |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both have same storage options |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8/12 GB | Motorola has more RAM for smoother multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support microSD cards |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Motorola has a 3 microphone setup for better audio recording, iPhone has more audio playback codecs |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola offers fingerprint security for convenient unlocking, iPhone does not |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola has better screen scratch protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Motorola offers fingerprint sensor, iPhone has barometer |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density resulting in superior visual clarity, especially for detailed content.
- Superior Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark scores indicate better image and video quality overall and in selfie, particularly in still images, better low-light performance.
- Brighter Screen: Much better outdoor visibility due to significantly higher brightness.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens enables better long-range photography.
- Established Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple products and services.
- RAW Image Support: More editing flexibility for photography enthusiasts
- eSIM Support: Ability to use two different carriers with the use of a digital sim
- Better Audio Playback: Supports Dolby Digital Plus
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Smoother Display: Higher 144Hz refresh rate for more fluid scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Larger Battery: Larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life, ideal for heavy usage.
- Higher Resolution Video: 8K video recording for professional content creation.
- More Versatile Camera: Includes a dedicated depth sensor and macro lens, offering more shooting flexibility.
- Advanced Bluetooth Codecs: aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC for higher quality audio streaming
- Dual Physical SIM Support: Enables usage of two physical sim cards
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient and secure way to unlock the device.
- Lighter Build: More comfortable for extended holding or carrying.
- More RAM Options: Up to 12GB of ram for smoother multitasking and less bottlenecks
- Wider Lens options: Combined ultra-wide and macro lens for better shooting options
- More Video Recording features: laser autofocus (LAF), Dual PDAF, digital stabilization and 960fps slow-motion capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone: Lower refresh rate, slower charging, smaller battery, heavier build, lacks fingerprint sensor and physical Dual Sim support.
- Motorola: Lower display resolution, worse camera performance according to DxOMark, lower peak brightness, lacks optical zoom and eSIM support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Photo and Video Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high image quality and require advanced features like RAW support and optical zoom, especially those in Apple ecosystem.
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight and need excellent screen visibility.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Individuals heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, valuing seamless integration and software simplicity.
- Those who like to shoot portrait and landscape images: Superior wide angle and telephoto lens support
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 30 Pro:
- Gamers and Power Users: Those who need a smoother display and faster performance due to a higher refresh rate and more RAM.
- Frequent Travelers: People who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Multi-Media consumers: People who want to shoot at higher resolutions and watch on smooth screens
- Android Customizers: Users who enjoy the customizability and flexibility of the Android operating system.
- People who need more versatility in their lenses: Dedicated depth and macro lenses
Specific Use Cases:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Professional photography, outdoor content creation, video editing, everyday use with Apple ecosystem.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro: Mobile gaming, video streaming, content creation, heavy multitasking, and travel scenarios, with a preference for the Android platform
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera quality or display smoothness? (iPhone excels in camera, Motorola in display smoothness)
- Is the Apple ecosystem a critical factor? (Seamless integration for iPhone, Android customization for Motorola)
- What are your battery and charging needs? (Motorola has better battery life and faster charging)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography enthusiast who wants a premium camera experience in an ecosystem: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max for its superior image quality, telephoto lens, RAW support, and ecosystem integration.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer who want a smooth experience with a big battery: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro for its smoother display, longer battery life, fast charging and versatility.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious user who values good all around features: The Motorola Edge 30 Pro provides better features overall for lower price.
- Scenario 4: Android user that wants to have versatility in lenses and video capabilities: The Motorola Edge 30 Pro provides more lens options such as macro and wide angle combined and higher video recording quality
My Choice and Why
My Choice: Based on my personal preference and use cases, I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
Reasoning:
As someone who values smooth display performance, fast charging and long battery, the Motorola's 144Hz refresh rate, 68W fast charging and larger battery are strong factors for my use case. While I do appreciate the superior camera quality of the iPhone, the versatility of the lenses, the higher recording resolution and a variety of video recording features make me lean towards Motorola's camera suite. Also the more RAM, lighter build, and advanced Bluetooth codecs of the Motorola Edge 30 Pro are important to my use case and make it a better option. The fact that it is a newer phone with a newer generation of processor also helps with long term support and compatibility.
