Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Apple iPhone 13 and the Motorola Moto G85. I'll break down the specifications, highlight key differences, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table outlining the key specifications of both phones, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 | Motorola Moto G85 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.6 mm | Moto G85 is taller and wider, might feel bulkier in hand. iPhone 13 is more compact. Both are similarly thin. |
| Weight | 174g | 171g | Negligible weight difference. Both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | Moto G85 offers a larger screen, great for media consumption and multitasking. iPhone 13 is more pocket-friendly. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 13 has a sharper image with more pixels. |
| PPI | 460 | 395 | iPhone 13's display is noticeably sharper, text and images will appear crisper. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G85 will feel smoother, especially when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1600 nits | Moto G85 will be significantly more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Apple A15 is significantly more powerful; apps load faster, gaming is smoother. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,256,049 | 475,000 | iPhone 13 performs significantly better in benchmarks, reflecting much better real-world speed. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 | Apple GPU is much more powerful, ensuring smoother graphics in games and other intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.79 | Moto G85 captures more detail. iPhone 13 has a wider aperture for better low light. |
| Standard Pixel Size | 1.70 µm pixel size | 1.00 µm pixel size | iPhone 13 has larger pixels, theoretically better in low-light scenarios |
| Selfie Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Moto G85 captures more detail. iPhone 13 has a wider aperture for better low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.2 | iPhone 13 has a higher-resolution ultrawide camera. Moto G85 has a wider aperture for better low light. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps w/ HDR | 1080p@60fps | iPhone 13 offers superior video recording quality with 4K resolution; Moto G85 is limited to Full HD. |
| DxoMark Score (Mobile) | Not Available | 88 | The Moto G85 has been tested by DxoMark and performed reasonably well. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3240mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G85 should offer significantly longer battery life due to larger battery. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Moto G85 charges faster, though both use fast charging. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | No Wireless Charging | iPhone 13 offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 18 | Android 14 | Different ecosystems; iOS generally provides smoother performance and long-term updates, while Android offers more customization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, Direct, Display | Both have modern WiFi, but with different added features; |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | Similar performance, Moto G85 has a newer version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Moto G85 has Beidou for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage/RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | iPhone 13 offers more storage in its highest configuration. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | Moto G85 has more RAM, which can lead to better multitasking and running more applications in parallel. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | iPhone 13 has enhanced audio quality and noise cancelling tech. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic security features | basic fingerprint sensor | Moto G85 provides a basic biometric security feature, fingerprint sensor, which is more convenient for fast unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Motorola Moto G85 has a better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones come with all the basic sensors; iPhone 13 include barometer, while Motorola Moto G85 has fingerprint and compass. |
2. Key Insights
- Performance: The iPhone 13 is significantly more powerful, offering a smoother and faster experience. This makes it better for gaming, intensive tasks, and long-term usage. The Moto G85 is adequate for everyday tasks, but it can’t keep up in performance compared to the iPhone.
- Display: The Moto G85 offers a larger screen with a faster refresh rate, which provides a smoother scrolling and gaming experience. It also has higher peak brightness, making it better for outdoor use. However, the iPhone 13 has a higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper picture.
- Camera: Both phones have capable cameras. The Moto G85 boasts higher-resolution sensors (50MP standard, 32MP selfie), and the DxoMark score for the camera system is decent, meaning it can capture great photos and video. However, the iPhone 13 has a wider aperture for better low-light performance, a more powerful image processing, and 4K recording capabilities.
- Battery Life: The Moto G85's larger battery should offer significantly longer battery life. It also supports faster charging, although the iPhone 13 also has very fast charging.
- Software: The iPhone 13 runs on iOS, known for its stability, user-friendliness, and long-term updates. The Moto G85 runs on Android, which offers more customization options and flexibility.
- Other: The iPhone 13 also offers wireless charging capabilities, including MagSafe, and it’s packed with extra audio features such as noise-canceling and 3 microphones. On the other hand, the Motorola has more sensors such as fingerprint sensor and compass, and better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Apple iPhone 13:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize performance, a premium experience, a high quality video camera, and a smooth software experience.
- Use Cases: Gaming, professional photography and videography, users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, anyone who wants longevity and ease of use from their phone.
- Motorola Moto G85:
- Ideal for: Users who value a large screen, long battery life, and a higher refresh rate for a smoother visual experience, and don't need heavy processing power.
- Use Cases: Media consumption, casual gaming, everyday tasks, those who need excellent outdoor visibility, and those who want a better fingerprint security system.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How much performance do you need? If you are into demanding games or need a fast, snappy user experience, the iPhone 13 is a better fit.
- What are your priorities for display quality? The Moto G85 excels in screen size, refresh rate, and brightness. If you need a very sharp and color accurate screen, the iPhone 13 may be a better fit.
- How important is battery life? If you need your phone to last a long time between charges, the Moto G85 with its significantly larger battery should be your go-to option.
Here are scenario-based recommendations:
- The Gamer: The iPhone 13 is the clear winner due to its far superior processing power and graphics, ensuring smoother gameplay and more efficient performance.
- The Media Enthusiast: The Motorola Moto G85 might be better, as it offers a larger screen and smoother refresh rates for a superior visual experience.
- The Everyday User: This depends a lot on their focus. Someone who only wants the best user experience for everyday tasks will be more than happy with the iPhone 13. On the other hand, the Motorola Moto G85 will give a much longer battery life, a more up to date fingerprint security system, and a bright screen to work with in broad daylight.
- The Photographer: The iPhone 13 has a better combination of wider aperture, video resolution, image processing, and a range of advanced features, which is better suited for someone who prioritizes video capabilities, and also takes a fair amount of low-light photos. On the other hand, the Motorola Moto G85 has a better DxoMark score for its mobile camera, and very capable resolution.
Which Would I Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones for myself, I would go with the Apple iPhone 13.
Here’s why:
- Unmatched Performance: As a tech journalist and analyst, I use my phone heavily for research, communication, and content creation. The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 provides a consistently smoother and more reliable experience with virtually no lag. The difference in AnTuTu scores reflects the raw power advantage, which translates into faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall feel.
- Software and Ecosystem: While I appreciate the open nature of Android, I have found that the tight integration of iOS and its ecosystem of apps and services simply work better for my specific needs and workflows.
- Camera Capabilities: Although the Motorola Moto G85 offers higher-resolution sensors, the iPhone 13 consistently delivers excellent image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and video is where the difference is clearly visible. The 4K recording capabilities, combined with the advanced image processing, make it a more reliable tool for capturing high-quality content.
- Long-Term Value: iPhones tend to receive longer software support and updates, which is important to me. The iPhone 13, being a very solid, reliable product, should maintain its utility and value over time.
While the Moto G85 offers a larger screen, higher refresh rate, and better battery life, these are secondary concerns for my use case. For me, performance and reliability are paramount, and in this regard the iPhone 13 stands out.
I hope this helps you make a more informed decision! Let me know if you have any other questions.
