Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Motorola Moto E22
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola Moto E22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2022-10-11 | The Moto E22 is newer, potentially offering more up-to-date software features, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max could still have long-term software support. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable or unique design elements. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 163.6 x 74.7 x 8 mm | The Moto E22 is slightly taller and thicker, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max is wider. The Motorola is more comfortable to hold for those with smaller hands. iPhone 12 Pro Max is better for consuming content due to a larger screen, Motorola is more pocketable and more manageable with one hand |
| Weight | 228g | 169g | The Moto E22 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods and less tiring on your wrist. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 720x1600 | iPhone 12 Pro Max's display is much sharper with finer details and text. The Motorola has a lower resolution screen that might appear pixelated to some users. |
| PPI | 458 | 270 | iPhone 12 Pro Max's higher pixel density provides a clearer, crisper display, resulting in better image and text quality, whereas the Moto E22's display will appear less sharp and clear. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 Pro Max's OLED display has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, resulting in a more vibrant visual experience. Moto E22's IPS LCD has less vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto E22 has slightly smoother scrolling and animations. iPhone 12 Pro Max has a standard refresh rate, which may result in some noticeable lag when scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 Pro Max's display is much easier to view outdoors under direct sunlight. Moto E22 screen brightness is not listed, but in comparison, it will have very poor outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G37 (12 nm) | iPhone 12 Pro Max's A14 Bionic chip is much faster, leading to smoother performance in all tasks, from gaming to general use. Motorola is better for basic use, but lags in demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 159,800 | iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers a far superior performance experience, from faster app loading to smoother multitasking. The Moto E22 will feel slow in comparison. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | PowerVR GE8320 | Apple GPU provides better graphics performance, suitable for demanding games and GPU-intensive tasks. Motorola will struggle with high-end games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 4020mAh | Moto E22 has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing marginally longer battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 10W fast charging | iPhone 12 Pro Max charges much faster, reducing downtime and ensuring you're ready to go. Motorola will take significantly longer to charge. |
| Features | Non-removable, * Unconfirmed capacity, 20W adapter sold separately, MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W10, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W | Non-removable | iPhone has superior wireless charging options which are convenient |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 16MP f/2.2 | Moto E22 has a higher megapixel count, but iPhone's wider aperture allows more light for potentially better low-light performance. iPhone's sensor and software optimizations are far better. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.4 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a much higher megapixel count and wider aperture, making for better selfie quality in different lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for better optical zoom capabilities. Moto E22 lacks a telephoto lens, resulting in lower quality zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max can capture a wider field of view, which is useful for landscape or group photos. Motorola has no wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Moto E22 has a dedicated depth sensor, improving the quality of portrait mode. iPhone uses software instead. |
| Video | Up to 4K HDR | 1080p | iPhone 12 Pro Max can record higher resolution videos with HDR and better stabilization, resulting in higher quality video recordings and is great for content creation. Moto E22's video quality is much lower. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 131, Selfie: 132 | Not Rated | iPhone 12 Pro Max's camera has a high rating that indicates great performance in both photo and video quality. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | The iPhone has much better features which allows for superior image quality and more control, Moto E22 has laser focus for quicker focus |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to 18) | Android 12 | Different operating systems, iOS is known for its ease of use and strong ecosystem while Android is known for customization options. iOS provides longer software updates compared to Android in many situations. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi ac | iPhone 12 Pro Max supports the latest WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections. Motorola uses an older standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a newer version of Bluetooth, which potentially offers better battery efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | iPhone 12 Pro Max supports more satellite systems, resulting in higher location accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 Pro Max supports eSIM, allowing for more flexible carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 32/64/128 GB | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers more storage options, better for users who download a lot of media. |
| RAM | 6GB | 2/3/4GB | iPhone 12 Pro Max has more RAM, which is better for multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers more advanced audio features that deliver an enhanced listening experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola has a fingerprint sensor for convenient unlocking, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max has advanced facial recognition and other features for security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection details are unknown for both. |
| Sensors | Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Moto E22 has the fingerprint sensor in addition to the set of sensors for each phone |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chipset offers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and general use.
- High-Quality Display: The OLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness provides a much more vibrant and sharper visual experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a triple-lens camera setup with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, as well as better video capabilities and DxOMark scores for overall camera quality.
- Premium Build and Features: Better build quality, faster charging, wireless charging, more storage options, and a more mature OS ecosystem.
- Faster Wireless Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions.
- Long-term Software Support: iOS offers a consistent and reliable experience with long software support.
Motorola Moto E22 Advantages:
- Lower Weight: Significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz refresh rate leads to smoother animations.
- Slightly Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery capacity, may have slightly longer battery life.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Fingerprint sensor provides a secure and convenient way of unlocking the phone.
- Lower Price: Significantly cheaper than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, offering a budget-friendly option.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes at a much higher price point.
- The Moto E22 suffers in performance compared to the iPhone and has a poor display.
- The iPhone does not have a fingerprint sensor which many users prefer.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who demand the best performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Content Creators: Users who need high-quality photo and video capabilities with features such as 4K, HDR, OIS, and optical zoom.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who value a vibrant, high-resolution display for watching videos and browsing the web.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Those invested in the Apple ecosystem, preferring ease of use, and wanting consistent software support.
- Users Seeking Reliability: Who prefer a reliable phone with long-term software support and security.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with graphically intensive titles.
- Editing high-resolution photos and videos on the go.
- Daily use with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- Watching high-quality videos and movies.
- Using advanced augmented reality applications.
Motorola Moto E22 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a basic smartphone without the high price tag.
- Casual Users: Individuals who need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media.
- Users Who Prefer Light Phones: People that prefer a lighter phone and prioritize a phone that is not too heavy.
- Users who want a finger print scanner: People that are looking for a phone that offers this convenient way of unlocking the phone.
Use Cases:
- Basic phone functions like calls, texts, and social media.
- Web browsing and email.
- Light app usage.
- Occasional photography.
- Users that do not want to worry about damaging the phone, and don't need to rely on the phone for intensive use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my budget? The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a premium phone with a significantly higher price tag compared to the Moto E22. If budget is a limiting factor, the Moto E22 is the better option.
- What is my primary use case? If you need high performance for demanding tasks like gaming and content creation, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better option. If you are only using the phone for basic functions and casual social media, the Moto E22 is sufficient.
- Do I prioritize display quality and camera performance? The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a much better display and camera system for high-quality media consumption and photos/videos.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance Focused): If performance is key and budget is not a limitation, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best choice.
- Scenario 2 (Budget Conscious): If you need a basic phone with no frills and price is the main consideration, the Moto E22 is better.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Usage): If you need a phone for a balanced mix of daily tasks with good performance and want the best display and camera available, and you have the budget, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is better.
Personal Choice
If I was personally in the market for a new phone and I had the budget, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Here's why:
- Performance is a Priority: I prioritize smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly better performance in this case, making it far better than the Helio G37.
- Display Quality: I value a high-quality display for media consumption, and the OLED display with higher resolution and brightness is essential. A good display has a positive impact on my experience.
- Camera Capabilities: The camera is important to me because I enjoy taking pictures of family, friends, and places that I visit. I want a high-quality camera that allows for good shots, especially in low light. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has better all-around camera quality and a telephoto lens, and video capabilities.
- Longevity: I prefer iOS due to the consistent software experience and strong support from Apple and I also know that the phone will last for a long time.
- Ecosystem: I like the Apple ecosystem which has good integration with other devices.
While the Moto E22 is a newer phone and cheaper, the significant trade-offs with display quality, camera performance, and general performance make it a poor option compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max for my needs.
