Okay, let's break down the Motorola Edge 20 Pro and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max. Here's a comparison designed to cut through the jargon and get to what actually matters for you as a user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 76 × 8 mm, 190g | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.7 mm, 240g | Edge 20 Pro is taller and slightly thicker, but significantly lighter, more comfortable for longer periods. |
| Build Material | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | Unknown (screen) | Edge 20 Pro has known superior screen protection, the iPhone might not have the best screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have large displays; great for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1284x2778 | iPhone 13 Pro Max has a noticeably sharper display with a higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 385 | 458 | iPhone 13 Pro Max will have crisper text and images due to the higher pixel count. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge 20 Pro has slightly smoother scrolling, but the difference is probably not a deal-breaker for most. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone 13 Pro Max offers dramatically better visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone 13 Pro Max offers superior processing power and speed; it's simply faster. |
| AnTuTu Score | 813,800 | 1,327,255 | iPhone 13 Pro Max will handle demanding tasks and gaming with ease, whereas the Edge 20 Pro might struggle slightly. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone's GPU is significantly faster, better for complex graphics and mobile gaming. |
| RAM | 12GB | 6GB / 8 GB | The Edge 20 Pro's higher RAM is useful for heavy multi-tasking, but the iPhone’s optimized OS and RAM management make it very efficient with lower memory |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard Lens | 108MP (f/1.9, 1/1.52") | 12MP (f/1.5, 1/1.66") | Edge 20 Pro has a higher resolution sensor for detail, but the iPhone might perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (f/3.4) | 12MP (f/2.8) | iPhone's telephoto is superior; better for distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP (f/2.2) + Macro | 12MP (f/1.8) | The Edge 20 Pro comes with an ultrawide macro lens, which gives you more options, but the iPhone will have better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.3) | 12MP (f/2.2) | Edge 20 Pro has a higher-resolution selfie camera, but the iPhone's might be better overall. |
| 3D ToF | None | 12MP (f/1.8) | The iPhone's 3D ToF sensor helps with AR applications and improves portrait mode photography. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, various modes | 4K@60fps with HDR, various modes | Edge 20 Pro can record at 8K, but the iPhone has superior video quality due to HDR, and the iPhone has better video stabilization. |
| Additional Features | Digital Stabilization | Optical Stabilization, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW, Night Mode | iPhone has many features for better video quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4373mAh | Both have similar battery capacities; should provide a full day of use, but the iPhone's efficiency may make it last longer. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Edge 20 Pro charges faster out of the box. |
| Wireless Charging | Reverse Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | iPhone has faster wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | iOS 15 (upgradable to 18) | iOS offers tight hardware/software integration and a smooth experience. Also comes with more years of support, Android comes with more options, customization and flexibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Both offer similar standards and features, the Edge 20 Pro offers Direct and Display technologies. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | The Edge 20 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version and more supported audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | Edge 20 Pro supports more satellite systems, but the iPhone has QZSS which is good for Asia. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | iPhone has eSIM and dual SIM, meaning you can have two carriers running on your phone. Edge 20 Pro will let you use two physical SIMS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | iPhone offers larger storage capacities, the option for 1TB is useful for professionals using the phone. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic Features | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The iPhone has superior audio with better separation, surround and more powerful speakers. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Strengths:
- Lighter and more comfortable: The Edge 20 Pro is noticeably lighter, a boon for prolonged use.
- Smoother Display (144Hz): It offers a slightly faster refresh rate, enhancing fluidity.
- Faster Charging: With 30W charging, it gets you back to full power quicker.
- Higher RAM: With 12GB RAM, it's good for heavy multi-tasking.
- Reverse Charging: Useful for sharing battery with other devices.
- More Satellites for GPS: Better coverage for GPS use in diverse areas.
- More Flexible SIM options: Two physical SIM slots instead of one SIM slot and one eSIM.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Strengths:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and significantly better brightness, essential for outdoor use.
- More Powerful Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers a significant leap in speed and efficiency.
- Better Cameras: Improved camera sensors, superior telephoto zoom, optical stabilization, enhanced video features and a ToF sensor, and the use of Apple's software processing.
- Enhanced Audio Experience: With Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers and advanced noise cancellation
- MagSafe and Wireless Charging: More advanced and faster wireless charging.
- Long-Term Software Support: iOS updates and a smoother user experience.
- More Storage Options: up to 1TB of storage space.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Its display, while smooth, doesn't match the iPhone in sharpness and brightness. It's also not as powerful when it comes to intensive tasks and gaming.
- iPhone: It’s heavier, can be expensive, and has a slower charging speed than the Motorola Edge 20 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking great value without paying for the top-tier pricing.
- Media consumers: People who watch a lot of videos and enjoy smooth scrolling.
- Heavy Multitaskers: People who need a lot of RAM.
- Users who want lighter phones: People who find bigger heavier phones cumbersome.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max:
- Professionals and Content Creators: Users needing top-notch camera performance, video recording, and processing speed.
- Gaming Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize performance and seamless graphics.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Individuals who prefer the consistency and integration of iOS.
- Users who need the best screen and video experience: People who need bright screens and want to take professional level photos and videos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three critical questions to consider:
- What's your priority: performance or value? If performance is key, the iPhone wins hands down. If you want value without completely sacrificing performance, the Motorola could be the better choice.
- Do you heavily use your phone outdoors? The iPhone's exceptional screen brightness makes it the go-to choice for outdoor users.
- How important are professional-grade camera and video features? If you are a prosumer, then the iPhone's features are worth the premium. For casual users the Motorola camera performs well, but doesn't have the same degree of versatility.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the mobile gamer: iPhone 13 Pro Max for its raw processing power and graphics performance.
- For the casual user: Motorola Edge 20 Pro provides a good balance of performance and value.
- For the Pro User: iPhone 13 Pro Max because of its professional camera system, and its power.
- For the outdoor enthusiast: iPhone 13 Pro Max's super-bright screen makes all the difference.
- For the Android enthusiast: Motorola Edge 20 Pro for its value and flexibility of its OS.
Which Phone Would I Choose?
For me, the choice is the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max. While the Motorola Edge 20 Pro offers a compelling package, the iPhone 13 Pro Max's combination of a superior display, unparalleled processing power, and a more versatile, higher quality camera system aligns better with my needs. As a tech journalist who relies on a high-quality camera and demanding daily use, the iPhone is the better choice. Additionally, the longevity of the iPhone is a big factor. The fact that the iPhone will get a longer period of software updates is a compelling argument. Although the Motorola is very nice, for my use-case the iPhone has more features that I would use and appreciate.
