Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2 mm | The Motorola is taller and thicker, while the iPhone is wider. The Motorola's added thickness may affect pocketability. |
| Weight | 228g | 202g | The Motorola is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | The iPhone has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive experience |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1080 x 2400 | The iPhone has a significantly sharper display due to higher resolution. |
| PPI | 458 | 399 | The iPhone's higher pixel density results in finer detail and sharper text. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | OLED offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and deeper blacks compared to IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Motorola provides smoother scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone offers superior outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The iPhone's A14 chip offers significantly higher processing power than the Snapdragon chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 565,000 | The iPhone is considerably faster for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 710 | The iPhone has a more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive applications and games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | The Motorola offers significantly longer battery life due to its larger battery. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Both support similar fast charging speeds |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W | Non-removable | iPhone offers wireless charging options not available on Motorola. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The Motorola captures more detailed photos at high resolutions. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.88 | The iPhone's wider aperture allows more light, which is better for low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | The Motorola takes higher-resolution selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.5 | The iPhone's wider aperture in selfie camera results in better low light photos. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | The iPhone has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | The iPhone has a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | Yes | The Motorola has a dedicated wide-angle with macro function for creative photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@30fps | The iPhone offers higher frame rate options for 4k video. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 131 | Not Tested | The iPhone has been extensively tested and its camera performance is confirmed. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 | Not Tested | The iPhone has been extensively tested and its selfie performance is confirmed. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 13 | Different operating systems each with its unique ecosystem and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, Direct, Display | Similar Wi-Fi speeds, Motorola offers additional connectivity features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Motorola has newer Bluetooth, potentially better performance and compatibility. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, SUPL, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The iPhone supports more satellite systems for better positioning in some areas. The Motorola uses more modern GPS technologies. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Single Nano SIM | iPhone allows the use of two phone numbers, the Motorola is limited to one. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | The iPhone has a higher max storage option of 512GB. |
| RAM | 6GB | 4/6/8GB | The Motorola offers higher RAM variants for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | iPhone has enhanced spatial audio, while the Motorola has a 2-mic setup for better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola has a dedicated fingerprint sensor for biometric security, while Apple's older models do not. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The iPhone has additional sensors for navigation and environmental data. The Motorola has a fingerprint scanner. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display Quality: OLED panel with higher resolution and pixel density offers a crisper, more vibrant visual experience.
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers much better performance than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, especially in graphics and intensive tasks.
- More Advanced Camera System: The triple-lens system including telephoto and wide-angle lens provides more versatility. Better video recording capabilities with higher fps options and HDR recording.
- Wireless Charging: Includes MagSafe and Qi wireless charging which are missing from the Motorola.
- Higher DxOMark scores : The Camera and Selfie camera have been extensively tested, confirming its high quality
- Premium Build: Higher quality materials and overall design appeal.
Practical Implications: The iPhone excels at intensive tasks such as gaming, video editing, and graphic design, providing a more premium experience. It also shines in bright environments due to the higher brightness. The camera offers more versatile options for photography and the verified DxOMark scores gives an indication of its quality.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity that offers much longer battery life.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience for scrolling and animations.
- More versatile camera: More versatile main camera with higher resolution and a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro lens for additional creative options.
- Lighter and thinner design: Slightly lighter and thinner, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Features the latest Bluetooth version for better connectivity and compatibility.
- Fingerprint sensor: Provides a more secure biometric method.
- More RAM: More RAM available for seamless multitasking
Practical Implications: The Motorola excels in battery life, making it ideal for users who need to stay powered throughout the day. The smoother display experience is noticeable in daily use. The more versatile camera offers a variety of creative shooting options.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The iPhone trades battery life for processing power, display quality, and premium camera performance.
- The Motorola trades raw processing power and superior screen quality for a much larger battery and smoother refresh rate and more versatile camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Professionals and enthusiasts who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and complex applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value the versatility of a triple-lens camera system and superior image quality, especially in low-light scenarios.
- Media Consumers: Users who want the best possible display quality for watching videos, playing games, and browsing content.
- Ecosystem Loyalist: Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem who want seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Users that value confirmed quality: Those who want to have the camera quality confirmed by DxOMark tests.
Specific Use Cases: Professional photography, videography, intensive mobile gaming, and consuming high-quality media.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize long battery life and a smooth visual experience for everyday tasks.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users who want a good smartphone experience without paying premium prices.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prefer having a variety of camera options with creative modes at their fingertips.
- Multitaskers: Users who frequently switch between apps and need a device with sufficient RAM and a smooth operating system.
- Users who want a more modern experience: Users that prefer the latest Android experience and software updates.
- Users who prefer a more secure experience: Those who prefer biometric security with a fingerprint sensor.
Specific Use Cases: All-day battery life, social media, casual gaming, mobile productivity, photography and creative photography.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life?
- If long battery life is a priority, the Motorola is the better choice.
- How demanding are your typical smartphone tasks?
- If you require top-tier performance for gaming or other intensive tasks, the iPhone is the superior option.
- Do you prioritize display quality and camera versatility, or a smooth visual experience and battery life?
- The iPhone has a better display quality and more professional camera options, while Motorola excels in battery and a smoother display.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming & Video Editing: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the clear winner due to its superior performance and screen.
- Scenario 2: Long Days Away From a Charger: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) excels due to its longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: Casual Use with Occasional Photography: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) provides a good balance of battery life, smooth display, and capable camera performance with creative options.
- Scenario 4: Professional Photography & Videography: The iPhone 12 Pro Max with its better camera versatility and HDR video options, as well as professional grade features is better suited.
My Choice
Based on the comparison, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, despite it being the older phone. My reasons are as follows:
- Prioritization of Performance: As someone who uses my smartphone for a lot of demanding tasks, such as video editing and mobile gaming, the superior performance of the A14 Bionic chip is a significant advantage. The AnTuTu benchmark difference is significant, and this would lead to a much more fluid and responsive experience for my use cases.
- Screen Quality: The OLED display of the iPhone offers a noticeably better visual experience with better color accuracy and deeper blacks, and I personally prefer the more vivid screen.
- Advanced Camera Versatility: The triple camera system with a telephoto and wide-angle lenses provides more flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
- Proven Quality: The DxOMark scores gives an indication of its higher quality camera, giving more confidence in its image capture.
- Ecosystem Integration: As an existing user of the Apple ecosystem, I appreciate the seamless integration between devices.
While the Motorola offers a compelling package with its larger battery and smoother display, my preference for processing power, visual fidelity, and an ecosystem makes the iPhone a better overall fit for my personal needs. The lack of a confirmed brightness value for the Motorola is also a concern. For these reasons, the iPhone is my choice despite being older and possibly more expensive.
