Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Apple iPhone 14 Pro and the Motorola ThinkPhone. These are two very different beasts, both vying for your attention, but in distinct ways. I've broken it down to make sense of all the tech and help you decide which one fits your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the specs, along with what they actually mean for you day-to-day:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Physical Size | 147.5 × 71.5 × 7.9 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | ThinkPhone is noticeably taller, wider, and slightly thicker, making it feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 206g | 188.5g | ThinkPhone is lighter, potentially more comfortable for longer use. |
| Build | Premium materials | Premium materials, Gorilla Glass Victus | Both feel premium, but ThinkPhone has stronger screen protection |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | ThinkPhone's larger screen is great for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1179x2556 | 1080x2400 | iPhone's higher resolution offers a sharper, more detailed visual experience. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 399 | iPhone display appears noticeably sharper |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent color and contrast, but the iPhone’s is slightly better. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone is slightly smoother for fast-paced visuals and animations. |
| Brightness | 2000 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone's much higher brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Both are high-performance chips, but A16 generally faster, ThinkPhone offers great multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,474,011 | 1,232,700 | iPhone edges out with better performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Both offer excellent graphics performance, but iPhone’s GPU is slightly better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.78, 1/1.3" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | iPhone's larger sensor and wider aperture result in superior low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/1.9 | 32MP, f/2.45 | ThinkPhone’s higher resolution could mean more detailed selfies, iPhone has the edge in low-light |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes, 12MP, f/2.8 | No | iPhone offers dedicated optical zoom for detailed shots at a distance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes, 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | No | iPhone captures more expansive landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | No | 2MP, f/2.4 | ThinkPhone provides depth information for better portrait effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 13MP, f/2.4 | ThinkPhone has the flexibility for close-up macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps with HDR | 8K@30fps with HDR | ThinkPhone captures video at higher resolution but iPhone is good enough for majority. |
| DxOMark Scores | Mobile: 146, Selfie: 145 | Not tested | iPhone has a very good camera performance and great for social media |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 3200 mAh | 5000 mAh | ThinkPhone's larger battery should lead to much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | 68W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | ThinkPhone charges much faster and is good in fast charging while iPhone has the advantage of Magsafe charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | iOS 16 (Upgradable to 18) | Android 13 | iOS is known for smooth performance, while Android provides great customization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Direct, Display | ThinkPhone has extra features like Wi-Fi Direct and Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 LE, A2DP, LE, AAC | 5.2 LE, A2DP, LE | iPhone has a newer Bluetooth version and has AAC support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both are very accurate, iPhone includes QZSS while Motorola includes SUPL |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | iPhone offers digital SIM switching, ThinkPhone has two physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128, 256, 512 GB, 1024 GB | 256 GB | iPhone has multiple storage options, ThinkPhone has a single storage option. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | ThinkPhone’s higher RAM enables better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card support. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | iPhone offers premium audio features like noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | fingerprint sensor | ThinkPhone offers a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | iPhone has barometer sensor, while Motorola has Fingerprint. |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 14 Pro:
- Strengths: Superior performance (A16 chip), a slightly better display with higher brightness and pixel density, very high quality main camera with excellent low light performance, better video quality, excellent ecosystem, and very premium build, and excellent audio.
- Competitive Advantages: The overall best display, top-tier performance, very high quality camera performance, and excellent ecosystem.
- Trade-offs: Lower battery capacity and slower charging speed, more expensive.
Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Strengths: Larger display, better battery capacity, much faster charging, higher RAM, extra lens for macro shots, 8K Video, has a fingerprint sensor, and a slightly more up-to-date design.
- Competitive Advantages: Great value for the performance you are getting and very smooth performance for day to day activities and can go for longer periods on single charge.
- Trade-offs: Not as bright display, not as high end camera performance, missing some very crucial camera lenses, no wireless magsafe charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- iPhone 14 Pro:
- Best for: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, photographers/videographers needing top-tier image quality, those who want the best of the best in display and performance.
- Use Cases: Social media content creators, mobile gamers who want the best performance, professionals who need a reliable device for all their daily tasks, or simply someone who prioritizes having the absolute top-tier performance.
- Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Best for: Android users seeking a great value phone with long battery life and fast charging, business professionals who want seamless connectivity, and multitaskers who need solid performance and want a fingerprint sensor for convenience.
- Use Cases: Heavy phone users who want a phone that lasts all day without needing to recharge, travelers, business professionals, or users who need that macro lens for their everyday use.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
Do you prioritize performance, camera quality, and ecosystem integration, or battery life and convenience? If you want the very best performance and overall quality of photo and video, then iPhone is the way to go, however if you care more about battery life and want the flexibility to get through the day, the Motorola is better option.
Are you heavily invested in either the iOS or Android ecosystem? If you are already in the Apple ecosystem and love its walled garden, you should stick with the iPhone, whereas if you like the freedom that Android provides and want the best Android phone experience for your money, the ThinkPhone is the better option.
- What's your budget? The iPhone is more expensive, while ThinkPhone offers amazing performance for much less money, so you have to choose whether you want the very best for the cost or great performance at more affordable cost.
What I would Choose and Why:
After a comprehensive look at the specs, it's clear that each phone targets a different type of user. For me, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro is the clear choice. While the Motorola ThinkPhone is an impressive device with its long-lasting battery and fast charging, the iPhone 14 Pro’s superior performance, camera quality, and overall display would align more with my needs and interests as a tech journalist. The superior performance and the high-quality camera system are more aligned with what I need to use in my job. Additionally, as someone who's already deeply rooted in the Apple ecosystem, the seamless integration and overall polish of iOS make the iPhone the more logical choice.
