Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Motorola Moto G85. These two phones represent very different philosophies in the smartphone world, so it'll be interesting to see where each excels and where they might fall short for different users.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Motorola Moto G85 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-09-24 | 2024-06-25 | The Moto G85 is significantly newer, meaning it benefits from more recent advancements in technology. |
| Size | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.7 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.6 mm | The Moto G85 is taller but narrower and slightly thinner, making it potentially easier to handle for some. The iPhone is wider and has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 240g | 171g | The Moto G85 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing. The iPhone is noticeably hefty. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Practically the same screen size for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2400 | The iPhone’s higher resolution means sharper text and images, with a noticeably crisper display. |
| PPI | 458 | 395 | The iPhone has a higher pixel density, leading to a sharper and more detailed display, especially noticeable in fine text and graphics. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. P-OLED is a type of OLED, with similar characteristics. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, with the same fluidity experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1600 nits | The Moto G85 will be significantly more visible in bright sunlight. The iPhone is decent but will struggle more in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | The iPhone’s A15 Bionic chip is significantly faster and more powerful, handling demanding tasks with ease. The Snapdragon is a mid-range chipset and is good for daily tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,327,255 | 475,000 | The iPhone has vastly superior performance in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 619 | The iPhone’s GPU is much more powerful, resulting in superior graphics rendering for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4373mAh | 5000mAh | The Moto G85 has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life throughout the day. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 30W fast charging | The Moto G85 charges faster, reducing the time you spend plugged into an outlet. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe & 7.5W Qi | None | The iPhone supports wireless charging (MagSafe and Qi), offering convenient charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66" | 50MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | The iPhone has a larger sensor and wider aperture (f/1.5), often resulting in better low-light performance. The Moto G85 has a much higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Moto G85 offers higher resolution for selfies. The iPhone has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (12MP) | No | The iPhone offers optical zoom with a dedicated telephoto lens, resulting in sharper and more detailed zoomed photos, while Moto G85 relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (12MP) | Yes (8MP) | The iPhone has a higher resolution wide-angle lens. The moto offers wider aperture. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | No | The iPhone includes a ToF 3D sensor for depth perception, potentially improving portrait mode and AR apps. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | 1080p@60fps | The iPhone can record much higher quality videos, with 4K resolution and HDR capabilities, offering more detail and dynamic range. |
| Video Features | 4K, OIS, Ultra Stable, Slow-motion | OIS, Slow-motion | Both feature OIS for smooth footage, but the iPhone has additional advanced features like ultra-stable mode. |
| Camera Features | Advanced features, incl. 4K, Optical Zoom, Night mode | Basic features, including Laser autofocus | The iPhone has more advanced camera features, including optical zoom, while the Moto G85 has Laser Auto focus. |
| DxOMark | 88 (Mobile, Photo 83, Video 109) | Only Moto G85 has DxOMark Score which indicates the quality of the camera. | |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 15 (upgradable to 18) | Android 14 | The iPhone uses iOS with its user ecosystem, while the Moto G85 uses stock Android with its customization options. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Both feature Wi-Fi 6 but the Motorola has additional features for connecting devices. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Moto G85 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Moto G85 has additional Beidou for better navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Both have dual-sim capabilities, with one nano-SIM and one eSIM. The Motorola phone has the option to use two physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128, 256, 512, 1024 GB | 128, 256 GB | The iPhone offers much larger storage options, including a 1TB variant. |
| RAM | 6, 8 GB | 8, 12 GB | The Moto G85 can have up to 12GB of RAM, for heavy multitasking while iPhone has options up to 8GB RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, you are stuck with the storage you choose at purchase time. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS/X, Noise cancellation, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | The iPhone offers more advanced audio features, like noise cancellation and 3 mics for better audio capturing while Moto has standard dual microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic features | Fingerprint Sensor | The Moto G85 has a fingerprint sensor for enhanced biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Moto G85 screen is better protected than the iPhone's unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Both phones have all required sensors, the iPhone also has Barometer, and the Moto G85 additionally has Fingerprint sensor and Compass. |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max: This phone is a powerhouse. It excels in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The A15 Bionic chip is still incredibly fast, providing a smooth experience across all tasks, from basic browsing to high-end gaming. The camera system, with its telephoto and LiDAR sensors, offers versatility for photographers. The build quality is also premium with high-quality materials. However, it is heavier, older and does not offer the flexibility of a fingerprint sensor.
Motorola Moto G85: This phone prioritizes value and usability. It has a larger battery and faster charging, making it great for users who need long-lasting battery life. The 1600 nits brightness is a game-changer for outdoor visibility, and the lightweight design improves comfort. It provides good daily performance for its price point, but it doesn't compete with the high-end capabilities of the iPhone.
Strengths:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Unmatched processing power, superior display sharpness, a versatile camera system with telephoto lens and better video capabilities, premium build, and a robust ecosystem with iOS.
- Moto G85: Longer battery life, faster charging, significantly lighter, much better display brightness, and fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Higher price, heavier build, does not have fingerprint scanner, older model.
- Moto G85: Lower performance for intensive tasks, less advanced camera system, no wireless charging, stock Android OS.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
iPhone 13 Pro Max: This phone is best for users who prioritize performance, photography, and ecosystem integration. It's ideal for power users, content creators, and individuals who want the best possible experience in terms of speed, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional photography and videography, video editing, resource-intensive multitasking, those who already use Apple products.
Motorola Moto G85: This phone is perfect for users who value battery life, outdoor visibility, and affordability. It's great for everyday users, those who need a reliable phone for long days, and individuals who don't require the highest level of performance or premium camera features.
- Use Cases: Social media, daily communication, media consumption, casual gaming, outdoor use in direct sunlight.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you need the absolute best performance and camera system? If yes, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the better choice. If not, you can save money by choosing the Motorola.
- Is battery life and outdoor visibility important to you? If yes, the Moto G85 is significantly better than the iPhone.
- Do you prefer the Apple ecosystem (iOS) or the flexibility of Android? If you have strong preference for either eco-system, it would be better to choose what you prefer.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a professional photographer or videographer, who needs top-of-the-line camera quality and processing power for editing on the go. Recommendation: iPhone 13 Pro Max is the clear choice, for superior camera quality and processing power.
- Scenario 2: You're a student or a professional who needs a reliable phone that lasts all day, with a bright screen for outdoor use. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G85 is your device. It will last a long day of usage with its powerful battery, and you will not have any issues with screen visibility under sunlight.
- Scenario 3: You're a gamer and media enthusiast, who want superior performance, with better display, and enjoy the Apple ecosystem and you are fine with the higher price. Recommendation: iPhone 13 Pro Max. The performance is unparalleled, with the best display and you will enjoy the whole experience.
- Scenario 4: You need a phone for basic usage, including browsing, social media and some photos and you prioritize battery life and price. Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G85 is a great budget device that can do all of this well.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were making the choice, I would choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max. As a tech journalist and analyst, I value the performance that the A15 Bionic chip provides. I would use the phone for testing and running some intensive applications and I need to rely on a reliable camera system that gives excellent results. I also prefer the ecosystem and the iOS user interface. I also am happy to sacrifice some weight for more processing power, excellent screen and camera quality, even if that means I have a phone that struggles under direct sunlight.
While the Motorola G85 has its advantages, particularly the lighter build, larger battery, and brighter display, these are features I am happy to sacrifice for better performance and ecosystem features. The iPhone's performance, camera system, and build quality give it an edge, even if it is an older phone. I am not overly concerned with battery life or outdoor screen visibility in my typical use scenarios. I need power and good cameras more than anything else.
