Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Motorola ThinkPhone. This isn't just a spec-sheet showdown; we're going to break down what these numbers mean for your daily grind.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a comprehensive look at the key specs, and more importantly, what they mean for you:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-09-24 | 2023-01-29 | The ThinkPhone is a newer device (approx. 4 months newer). |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional slab-style smartphones. |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | The ThinkPhone is notably larger and slightly thicker. The iPhone is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 204g | 188.5g | Despite being larger, the ThinkPhone is surprisingly lighter. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | ThinkPhone offers a larger viewing area, which is great for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 13 Pro has a slightly sharper display. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 399 | The iPhone’s display will appear noticeably sharper and more detailed. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both deliver excellent color and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone offers a slightly smoother scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both are easily viewable in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Different architectures. The iPhone chip excels in single-core tasks while the Snapdragon chip performs well in multicore tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,325,768 | 1,232,700 | The iPhone 13 Pro has a slightly better benchmark score; you might see a marginal difference in daily responsiveness and performance in CPU tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 730 | Both offer powerful graphics processing for gaming and media-related tasks but operate using different architectures. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | The ThinkPhone has higher resolution, while the iPhone has a wider aperture. The iPhone's 1.9µm pixel size compared to the ThinkPhone's 1.0µm pixel size allows the iPhone to capture a bit more light, which could result in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45 | The ThinkPhone offers higher resolution, but the iPhone has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (12MP) | No | iPhone excels in telephoto photography with a dedicated lens, enabling optical zoom |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (12MP) | No | The iPhone is better equipped for wide-angle photos. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | No | The iPhone's ToF sensor helps with better depth sensing for AR and portrait mode. |
| Portrait (Depth) | No | Yes (2MP) | The ThinkPhone uses a separate lens to create depth of field effects in portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | Yes (13MP) | The ThinkPhone has the ability to take detailed close up shots with the use of this lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 30fps | The ThinkPhone allows you to shoot at a higher resolution than the iPhone. Both have excellent quality video. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 141 | N/A | The iPhone 13 Pro has superior results in the DxOmark benchmark tests. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 134 | N/A | The iPhone 13 Pro has superior results in the DxOmark benchmark tests. |
| Camera Features | Quad, Optical Zoom and Stabilization | Triple, Optical Zoom and Stabilization | Both offer strong core features. The iPhone has an advantage in the number of lenses and features such as ultra stable video, while the ThinkPhone has an 8K video recording capability. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 3125mAh | 5000mAh | The ThinkPhone has a significantly larger battery, which should mean longer endurance throughout the day. |
| Charging | 20W | 68W | The ThinkPhone charges much faster with its 68W charger. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | 15W | iPhone offers the MagSafe ecosystem, while the ThinkPhone has standard wireless charging. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | iOS 15 (upgradable to 18) | Android 13 | iOS and Android ecosystems appeal to different users. iOS provides a consistent, streamlined experience, while Android is known for its flexibility and customizability. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct/Display | The ThinkPhone's additional features allow users to connect more flexibly to other devices via WiFi |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The ThinkPhone uses a more recent version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | ThinkPhone covers more regions than the iPhone. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | The iPhone provides the flexibility of an eSIM alongside a physical sim while the Thinkphone features dual physical sim card slots |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512/1024 GB | 256 GB | iPhone 13 Pro offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | The ThinkPhone has a bit more RAM, which can help with smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | The iPhone excels in audio thanks to its extra features, such as more microphones and Dolby Digital Plus compatibility. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic security features | Basic fingerprint sensor | The ThinkPhone offers biometric security for additional protection through its fingerprint sensor, while the iPhone relies on more traditional security methods. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The ThinkPhone has a more modern screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The iPhone includes a Barometer sensor while the ThinkPhone offers fingerprint authentication. |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Strengths:
- Sharper Display: The higher pixel density offers a more detailed and crisp viewing experience.
- Superior Camera System: The dedicated telephoto lens, wide angle lens, ToF sensor and better DxOMark scores gives an advantage in zoom, portrait, low light and ultra wide photography..
- Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Premium Build and Features: MagSafe charging, and the additional microphones and audio processing capabilities provide a great premium user experience
- Higher Benchmarking: The better AnTuTu benchmarking means the Apple device will likely perform better in single core based tasks.
Motorola ThinkPhone Strengths:
- Larger Screen: The bigger display is great for media consumption and productivity, especially when you're on the go.
- Better Battery Life & Faster Charging: The larger battery coupled with 68W fast charging are great benefits for long days.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: You will have the advantage of more reliable connection speeds when using Bluetooth.
- More flexible GPS positioning: The ThinkPhone covers more satellite systems than the iPhone for more precise tracking.
- More RAM: More memory for smoother multi-tasking and app performance.
- 8K Video Recording: The Thinkphone provides better resolution for professional users.
- Fingerprint Sensor: An additional biometric security option for unlocking the phone.
- More modern screen protection: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen offers higher resistance to scratches and damage.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 13 Pro has a smaller display, and lesser battery life compared to the ThinkPhone, but makes up for this with more camera features and better benchmarking.
- The ThinkPhone doesn't offer a telephoto or wide angle lens or a ToF sensor, limiting the user's ability to take different types of photographs and limiting AR functionality.
- The iPhone's audio recording and playback is much more premium than the ThinkPhone with its extra microphones and audio processing features.
- The Thinkphone lacks the versatility and options of the iPhone's storage capacity.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Apple iPhone 13 Pro:
- Ideal for: Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem who prioritize a premium camera experience, high-quality display, and seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem. Great for those who value ecosystem compatibility and a refined user experience.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video production, AR applications, users who enjoy mobile gaming, and those who switch between Apple devices seamlessly.
- Value: Offers a premium ecosystem experience, although it is older.
Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Ideal for: Users who need a reliable, long-lasting phone with a large display and fast charging. Also great for those who want a good all rounder with strong multi-media and productivity capabilities.
- Use Cases: Frequent travelers, professionals who need a phone that can last all day, users who frequently watch videos or play games, or anyone that needs to take detailed close up photographs.
- Value: A solid, durable device with a large battery and impressive charging speeds for its price point.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize camera versatility, system integration and higher benchmarking or battery life, larger display, and fast charging capabilities?
- How important is the OS to your daily workflow? (iOS vs Android)
- Do you need telephoto and wide angle lens photography, and advanced audio processing capabilities, or a larger battery and a fingerprint sensor?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photography Enthusiast: If you love taking photos and want the best possible camera system with a telephoto and wide-angle lens, the iPhone 13 Pro is the better choice.
- Power User: If you need a phone that can last all day and you want to enjoy media on a bigger display, the ThinkPhone is a good option.
- Ecosystem User: If you are already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, then the iPhone 13 Pro offers better integration and a premium user experience.
- Budget-Conscious User: If the budget is a key decision making point, then the ThinkPhone would be the better choice due to the higher value proposition, providing great functionality for its price point.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd lean towards the Motorola ThinkPhone. As a tech journalist, I often find myself working on the go, and that extra battery life, faster charging, and larger screen would be a massive boon to my productivity. While I appreciate the camera quality and ecosystem of the iPhone, the practical benefits of the ThinkPhone simply outweigh those factors for me. Being able to take detailed close up shots is also a feature I use frequently and I find myself enjoying the versatility of Android as an operating system.
