Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 20 and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. This isn't just about spec sheets; it's about how these numbers translate into your daily life. I'll break it down with an engineering eye, but keep it relatable and conversational, as if we're chatting about phones over a coffee.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | 146.6 × 70.6 × 8.3 mm | Edge 20 is taller and wider, making it feel more substantial, while the iPhone is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 163g | 187g | Edge 20 feels noticeably lighter, which can be more comfortable for extended use. iPhone 15 Pro is heavier, implying better build quality |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard "candy bar" smartphones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | Edge 20’s larger display offers more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. iPhone 15 Pro's smaller screen is more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | iPhone 15 Pro has a sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 385 | 461 | iPhone 15 Pro displays crisper text and images due to significantly higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to OLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge 20 has slightly smoother animations and scrolling due to its faster refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Pro is significantly more visible in bright sunlight. Edge 20’s brightness is not suitable for outdoor usage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) | iPhone 15 Pro’s chip is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 589,200 | 1,641,883 | iPhone 15 Pro is almost three times more powerful, making it much smoother for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Apple GPU (6-core) | iPhone 15 Pro offers superior graphics for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 48MP | Edge 20 has higher megapixel count, but megapixels aren't everything. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.78 | iPhone 15 Pro's wider aperture allows more light in, leading to better low-light photos. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/1.3" | iPhone 15 Pro's larger sensor generally captures more detail and has better dynamic range. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm pixel size | 1.22 µm pixel size | iPhone 15 Pro’s larger pixel size allows better low light capture and details. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | Edge 20 has a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/1.9 | iPhone 15 Pro has a wider aperture selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens Resolution | 8MP | 12MP | iPhone 15 Pro has a higher resolution telephoto lens. |
| Telephoto Lens Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.8 | Edge 20 has a wider aperture telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Resolution | 16MP | 12MP | Edge 20 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Sensor Size | - | 1/2.55" | iPhone 15 Pro’s wide-angle sensor is bigger and captures more data |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; Slow-motion: 960 fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps with HDR, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; Slow-motion: 240 fps | iPhone 15 Pro provides 4k videos with HDR and stereo sound. Both phones offer excellent video capabilities with slow motion support. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 154, Selfie: 149 | iPhone 15 Pro has a very high DXO score, indicating excellent overall camera performance, however the Motorola Edge 20 was not tested. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Cinematic Mode, Noise reduction, Face unlock, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | iPhone 15 Pro has additional camera software features such as OIS, PDAF, RAW support, Ultra stable video and Cinematic Mode. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 3650mAh | Edge 20 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 27W fast charging, Li-Ion | Edge 20 charges slightly faster with a 30W charger. |
| Features | Reverse charging | 15W MagSafe Wireless Charging, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging | iPhone 15 Pro offers wireless charging options, while Edge 20 has reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | iOS 17 (Upgradable to 18) | Different operating systems with different ecosystems and user interfaces. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Both support Wi-Fi 6, with additional features from the Motorola Edge 20 (Direct, Display). |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE | iPhone 15 Pro has a newer version, improving speed and energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | iPhone 15 Pro has more precise GPS with dual-band GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | iPhone 15 Pro includes eSIM for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1024 GB | iPhone 15 Pro offers significantly more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | Both provide adequate RAM for smooth multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | iPhone 15 Pro has better audio quality, offering Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Security features | Edge 20 includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the iPhone relies on other biometrics. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Edge 20 offers screen protection, while the iPhone protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| List | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 15 Pro includes a barometer, while Edge 20 includes a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20: Strengths and Advantages
- Lighter and Thinner: The Edge 20 is noticeably more lightweight and slimmer, making it very comfortable to hold and carry around, this would be perfect for users looking for comfort over functionality and a large screen.
- Larger Display: If screen real estate is your priority, the Edge 20 has a larger 6.7" display, which would be perfect for media consumption and users who prefer bigger screen.
- Faster Refresh Rate: A 144Hz refresh rate translates to smoother animations and a more fluid user experience, great for gaming and daily scrolling.
- Slightly Larger Battery & Faster Charging: A slightly larger battery and faster charging mean less time tethered to an outlet, perfect for long days without access to an outlet.
- Fingerprint Sensor: A physical fingerprint sensor means no issues with face recognition and easy unlocking of the phone when wearing a mask.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro: Strengths and Advantages
- Superior Performance: The A17 Pro chip is leagues ahead, offering the best in class performance and efficiency for gaming, video editing, and demanding tasks.
- Premium Build: The weight implies use of premium materials and better build quality, and feels like a high end smartphone.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher pixel density and a much brighter screen provide a clearer, more vibrant visual experience especially in outdoor environments.
- Professional-Grade Camera System: The iPhone 15 Pro's camera is better in all aspects and the additional features and processing give it a huge advantage for both photos and videos.
- Advanced Video Features: The iPhone 15 Pro offers HDR video recording and better stabilization technologies like OIS and Ultra stable video.
- More Storage Options: With up to 1TB of storage, the iPhone 15 Pro caters to users who need to store a large amount of high-resolution photos and videos.
- Superior Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone, and stereo speakers for a premium audio experience.
- eSIM Support: The eSIM enables you to manage two phone numbers on a single device with a digital carrier option, very useful for travel or business.
- Advanced Sensor Suite: It includes a barometer, which can be useful for users interested in environmental data or applications.
Significant Trade-Offs and Limitations
- Motorola Edge 20: Compromises in raw performance, especially when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. The lower brightness display is a significant weakness. The camera quality is also less competitive.
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro: Smaller display, and higher weight make it less comfortable to handle than the Edge 20. No fingerprint sensor is a hassle for some users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 20 is Ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking good value with a focus on screen size and general performance.
- Media Consumers: Users who primarily watch videos, browse the web, and scroll through social media, and need a larger screen for this purpose.
- Users Seeking a lightweight device: People who prefer lightweight and ergonomic design for extended usage.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro is Ideal for:
- Power Users: Users who need the best possible performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: People who want the highest quality photos and videos from their smartphone.
- Ecosystem Loyalists: Users who are already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and value seamless integration.
- Users who want a premium experience: People who are seeking a higher build quality and premium features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your priority: size or performance? If you prefer a lighter phone with a larger screen and faster refresh rate, the Motorola Edge 20 would work, if you need a professional level of performance and a high-end camera, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is a better fit.
- What is your budget? The Motorola Edge 20 is the more affordable option. The Apple iPhone 15 Pro commands a premium price.
- What is your ecosystem preference? If you are comfortable with Android and don't need access to specific Apple apps, the Motorola Edge 20 might work for you, if you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem, then the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is an obvious choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: If you mainly use your phone for calls, social media, and basic browsing, the Motorola Edge 20 offers good value and a larger screen, but not as bright as the iPhone.
- Mobile Gamer: The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is undoubtedly the better choice for a superior gaming performance.
- Content Creator: The Apple iPhone 15 Pro's camera, and video features are better than the Edge 20, making it the better option for creators.
- Outdoor Enthusiast: The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is better suited for usage in bright conditions and the extra sensor could help you track weather data.
My Choice
If I had to pick, I'd choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. As someone who works with technology and appreciates both performance and camera quality, the A17 Pro chip is a game-changer for smooth multitasking, and video editing. The camera system has a better sensor with advanced features that I need for photography. I also appreciate the higher screen brightness, the premium build and the advanced audio features. While I like the larger display and comfortable weight of the Motorola Edge 20, I don't think it can compete with the iPhone 15 Pro's advanced camera features and faster performance.
It's all about balancing your needs with your priorities. I hope this helps you make the right choice!
