1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | iPhone is taller & wider, ThinkPhone is thicker. ThinkPhone will feel more compact in the hand while iPhone has a larger screen area. |
| Weight | 228g | 188.5g | ThinkPhone is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone likely offers superior screen durability. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a noticeably sharper display, leading to finer details and clearer text. |
| PPI | 458 | 399 | iPhone 12 Pro Max will display smoother images and more detailed text |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks, but subtle variations might be present. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone has dramatically smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both are equally bright in direct sunlight, ensuring good visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Different architectures make direct comparison hard. Both are high-performing chips, but the Snapdragon is newer. |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone shows slightly better performance in benchmarks. Real-world differences depend on the application. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Both are powerful GPUs, suitable for demanding games and graphics. The Adreno 730 is generally considered the more powerful. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3687 mAh | 5000 mAh | ThinkPhone is expected to have significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a day and a half or more with moderate use. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 68W fast charging | ThinkPhone can charge much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, * Unconfirmed capacity, 20W adapter sold separately, MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W10, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging | iPhone has more wireless charging options, but the adapter for faster wired charging is sold separately. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.6, 1.70 µm | 50MP f/1.8, 1.00 µm | ThinkPhone captures more detail with a higher resolution sensor; iPhone has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.45 | ThinkPhone takes higher-resolution selfies. iPhone has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.2, 1.00 µm | Not available | iPhone can achieve optical zoom for closer shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4, 1.40 µm | Not available | iPhone can take wide landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | Not available | 2MP f/2.4 | ThinkPhone can create background blur in portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not available | 13MP f/2.4 | ThinkPhone can capture wide landscape shots and close-up macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | ThinkPhone offers higher resolution video and electronic image stabilization. Both have good video performance. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 131, Photo: 131, Video: 130 | Not available | iPhone 12 Pro Max camera is well-regarded according to DxOMark results. ThinkPhone does not have available data |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 132, Photo: 127, Video: 140 | Not available | iPhone 12 Pro Max is a great selfie camera according to DxOMark results. ThinkPhone does not have available data |
| Camera Features | Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Night Mode | 8K Video, Digital image stabilization | Both offer great features, iPhone excels in stability and manual controls. ThinkPhone has additional video quality settings |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a sharper, clearer viewing experience.
- Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses for enhanced zoom and perspective options.
- Mature Software Ecosystem: iOS is known for its consistent performance, ease of use, and tight integration with other Apple products.
- Established Camera Reputation: Higher DxOMark score indicates a high performing camera system overall, particularly for video.
- MagSafe: Convenient wireless charging and accessory ecosystem.
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages
- Newer and Faster Chipset: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers slightly better benchmark performance and more modern architecture.
- Much Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life, a critical factor for heavy users.
- Significantly Faster Charging: Greatly reduces downtime, and charges the phone faster.
- High Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and gaming experience
- More versatile camera: Has Macro lens and more video settings.
Trade-offs
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Older chipset, smaller battery, and slower charging.
- Motorola ThinkPhone: Lower display resolution and pixel density. Lacks telephoto & wide-angle lens. No available DxOMark for comparison
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Ideal User: Apple ecosystem users, those who prioritize high-quality display and versatile camera, and those who value a consistent and polished software experience.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography or videography (due to dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses)
- Content creation and consumption
- Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and services.
- Users who value a sleek device and polished software experience
- Price-to-Value: While a slightly older model, it still offers premium features at a potentially lower price point.
Motorola ThinkPhone
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, those who prioritize battery life, and users who prefer a fast-charging device with a more modern Android experience.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy multitasking and gaming
- Users who need a long-lasting device for extended days
- Those looking for a phone with fast charging capabilities
- Android enthusiasts who prefer a stock-like experience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for its modern chipset, long battery life and fast charging, especially for users who do not require a top tier display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Which is more important to you: image quality or smoother display/battery life?
- Are you heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem or prefer the Android ecosystem?
- Do you need a versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, or do you need long battery life and fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Photography enthusiast: If you prioritize a versatile camera system with dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses and care about picture quality, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is likely the better choice.
Scenario 2: Power user: If you prioritize long battery life, fast charging, and a smooth display, along with high-performance for games, the Motorola ThinkPhone is a better choice.
Scenario 3: Budget Conscious: If you are looking for best value for the money, the Motorola ThinkPhone provides a better value due to its more modern chip set and better battery.
What I Would Choose and Why
Based on my own preferences, I would choose the Motorola ThinkPhone. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a slightly superior display in terms of sharpness, and more lenses for versatility, the Motorola ThinkPhone wins in the areas most important to me, which are battery life and charging. I often find myself away from chargers for long periods, so I always prioritize having long lasting battery. The significantly faster charging also is very useful for quick top ups when needed. The 144 Hz refresh rate is also a huge plus in terms of user experience, making scrolling and animations very smooth. I also prefer a more stock-like Android experience. While the camera performance of the iPhone is appealing, for me, these are outweighed by the other advantages of the ThinkPhone.
Therefore, the Motorola ThinkPhone would fit my daily usage needs much better than the iPhone.
