Alright, let's dive deep into the Motorola Edge 20 Pro versus the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. On the surface, they're both premium smartphones, but the devil is always in the details. I'm going to break down the tech, cut through the marketing hype, and give you the real-world impact, just like I'm chatting with a friend over coffee.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the specs, how they compare, and what they actually mean for you:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | 146.6 × 70.6 × 8.3 mm | The Edge 20 Pro is noticeably taller and wider, while the iPhone 15 Pro is a tad thicker. This means a larger feel in the hand for the Motorola, and a more compact one for the Apple device. |
| Weight | 190g | 187g | Both are very similar in weight - the difference is negligible. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard phones, not foldables. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | The Motorola offers a larger screen, great for media consumption and multitasking, while the iPhone’s smaller display is easier to handle with one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | The iPhone has a moderately sharper image, but both screens are very crisp for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 385 | 461 | The iPhone 15 Pro's higher pixel density means text and images appear noticeably sharper and more detailed. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use OLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks, resulting in good picture quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Motorola provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially for gaming. The iPhone's 120Hz is still very fluid, just not as high. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone 15 Pro's significantly higher brightness is a game-changer for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. The Motorola's 0 nits specification is likely an error as it is definitely brighter than that. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 | Apple A17 Pro | The A17 Pro is on another level, built on a smaller 3nm process, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and more efficient gaming than the Snapdragon 870 chip on the Motorola. |
| Antutu Score | 813,800 | 1,641,883 | The iPhone 15 Pro scores significantly higher in benchmarks, indicating superior overall performance. It's not just about numbers though; this translates to a more responsive and fluid feel. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Apple 6-Core GPU | Apple’s GPU is purpose-built for iOS and is optimized for the iPhone’s architecture, while the Adreno 650 is very good, but not quite as optimized in this comparison. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 3650mAh | The Motorola has a larger battery, typically resulting in longer battery life. This is very valuable in daily usage for those on the go. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 27W Fast Charging | The Motorola charges slightly faster, but both devices offer fast charging. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | MagSafe, Qi | Motorola’s reverse charging is handy, while Apple’s MagSafe is convenient for wireless charging and accessories. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera Res | 108MP | 48MP | The Motorola has a higher resolution camera, which is good for detail, while the iPhone has larger sensor size and larger pixel sizes, which is usually more important for low light performance and overall image quality. |
| Rear Main Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.78 | The iPhone has a slightly wider aperture which is better for low light and shallow depth of field. |
| Rear Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/1.3" | The iPhone's larger sensor size contributes to better light gathering and image quality. |
| Rear Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 1.22 µm | The iPhone's larger pixel size is better for low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 12MP | Motorola offers a higher resolution, which may result in more detail, while the iPhone has a wider aperture which leads to better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/1.9 | iPhone has a wider aperture, resulting in better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Res | 8MP | 12MP | The iPhone has a slightly higher resolution for better zoomed-in details and better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Aperture | f/3.4 | f/2.8 | The iPhone has a wider aperture for better low light and bokeh quality. |
| Wide Angle Res | 16MP | 12MP | Motorola offers a slightly higher resolution for more detailed wide angle shots. |
| Wide Angle Sensor Size | - | 1/2.55" | The iPhone has a larger sensor size which leads to better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Pixel Size | - | 1.40 µm | The iPhone's larger pixel size is better for low light performance. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The Motorola offers higher resolution videos but no video stabilization is noted while the iPhone 15 Pro offers industry leading video recording and stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Tested | Main: 154, Selfie: 149 | The iPhone 15 Pro has high scores, suggesting outstanding camera capabilities. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, etc. | Cinematic, OIS, RAW, etc. | The iPhone has richer video features, like Cinematic Mode and better image processing, leading to overall superior video quality. The Motorola focuses on some higher resolution video capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | iOS 17 | Android is highly customizable; iOS is known for its seamless user experience, privacy and ease of use. |
| OS Max Version | - | 18 | The iPhone will be supported for a very long time with many OS upgrades in the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer modern Wi-Fi standards, but the Motorola includes Direct and Display features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The iPhone has a more modern Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | Motorola has more GPS options, but both are great in terms of location accuracy for daily use. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | The iPhone offers the flexibility of eSIM, making it more versatile for those who travel internationally, while the Motorola has the option for two physical SIMs. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 256 GB | Up to 1 TB | The iPhone provides significantly more storage options for heavy users who need to store a lot of media and documents. |
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | The Motorola has more RAM, which may be beneficial for multitasking and heavy gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The iPhone has a more advanced audio setup, leading to higher quality sound during playback and recording. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Face ID | The Motorola offers fingerprint while the iPhone has a face id system, both are very secure. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Motorola’s use of Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior screen protection from scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The iPhone has an added barometer for accurate altitude readings, the Motorola features fingerprint sensor which is very useful for many. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Strengths:
- Larger Display: Great for immersive media, gaming, and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Makes scrolling and animations feel noticeably smoother.
- Larger Battery: It has better battery endurance.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM means great performance during heavy usage and multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Great in good lighting conditions.
- Reverse Charging: Very useful in daily life.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The A17 Pro chip is significantly more powerful, leading to better speeds, efficiency, and gaming.
- Higher Pixel Density: Significantly sharper screen clarity.
- Much Higher Brightness: Excellent visibility in direct sunlight.
- Better Camera System: Larger sensor size and pixel size in the main camera, as well as better video capabilities.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and better speakers.
- Software Support: Guaranteed long-term software support and the smooth, user-friendly experience of iOS.
- eSIM Support: This is a huge benefit when travelling.
- More Internal Storage Options: Offers up to 1TB of storage.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Motorola: While the Motorola has some advantages on paper (like resolution and RAM), the iPhone 15 Pro outperforms it in nearly every meaningful way (performance, display quality, camera quality, long-term software support and efficiency).
- iPhone: The iPhone's smaller display and smaller battery may not be ideal for all users and it's also more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 20 Pro: This phone is best suited for budget-conscious users who prioritize a large display, higher refresh rate, longer battery life, and good performance for everyday tasks. It's a decent choice for media consumption and casual gaming.
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro: This is for users who demand the absolute best in performance, camera quality, and user experience. It's ideal for professional photographers, video content creators, power users, and those heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What do you value the most: raw performance or display size and battery?
- If you need the fastest performance, best camera, and seamless user experience, go for the iPhone.
- If you want a larger screen and longer battery for media and casual tasks, the Motorola is good.
- What’s your budget?
- The Motorola is very reasonably priced.
- The iPhone is one of the most expensive smartphones currently on the market.
- What ecosystem are you already in?
- If you're an Android user, the Motorola is a good choice.
- If you're an Apple user, the iPhone's seamless integration with other Apple devices makes it a natural choice.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. Despite the Motorola Edge 20 Pro having its advantages like a bigger display and larger battery, the raw performance, camera capabilities and the promise of long term updates on the iPhone 15 Pro are too compelling to ignore. As a tech journalist, the quality of the camera, and overall usability of the device is something that is important, and for that reason, the iPhone is the way to go.
