Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G vs. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: A Practical Comparison
These two phones cater to very different audiences—one is a budget-friendly stylus-equipped device, while the other is a flagship powerhouse. Let’s break down where each excels and who they’re best suited for.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
| Feature | Moto G Stylus 5G | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 169.5 × 77.5 × 9.4 mm | 163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm | iPhone is slightly more compact and thinner, easier to handle. |
| Weight | 217.5g | 227g | Moto is lighter, but the difference is minor (<10g). |
| Foldable? | No | No | Both are traditional slab-style phones. |
- Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max (sleeker, thinner, premium build)
- Trade-off: The Moto G Stylus is bulkier but includes a built-in stylus.
Display
| Feature | Moto G Stylus 5G | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" IPS LCD | 6.9" OLED | iPhone's OLED has deeper blacks and better contrast. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 (387 PPI) | 1320x2868 (460 PPI) | iPhone is 46% sharper—text looks crisper. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | iPhone feels smoother in scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | Unknown (likely ~500 nits) | 2000 nits (peak HDR) | iPhone is far better in sunlight. |
- Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max (brighter, smoother, higher resolution)
- Trade-off: The Moto G Stylus has a decent LCD, but OLED and 120Hz make the iPhone superior.
Performance
| Feature | Moto G Stylus 5G | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480 (8nm) | A18 Pro (3nm) | iPhone is 11x faster in benchmarks. |
| Antutu Score | 171,000 | 1,947,255 | iPhone flies through apps and games; Moto is budget-level. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | iPhone better for multitasking and longevity. |
- Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max (no contest—far more powerful)
- Trade-off: Moto G Stylus is fine for basics (social media, light tasks).
Camera
| Feature | Moto G Stylus 5G | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.7, 0.8µm) | 48MP (f/1.78, 1.22µm, Sony IMX903) | iPhone has a larger sensor, better low light. |
| Ultrawide | 16MP (f/2.2) | 48MP (f/2.2, Sony IMX972) | iPhone’s ultrawide is higher resolution. |
| Telephoto | None | 12MP (f/2.8, Sony IMX913) | iPhone has optical zoom, better portraits. |
| Selfie | 20MP (f/2.0) | 12MP (f/1.9, Sony IMX714) | Moto has higher resolution, but iPhone has better aperture. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K HDR@120fps, Cinematic Mode | iPhone destroys the Moto in video capabilities. |
- Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max (better hardware, computational photography, video)
- Trade-off: Moto G Stylus has macro and ultrawide, but quality isn’t close.
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Moto G Stylus 5G | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4685mAh | iPhone has 17% more battery, likely better endurance. |
| Charging | 10W | 25W wired + 25W wireless | iPhone charges 2.5x faster. |
| Battery Features | None | Optimized charging, MagSafe | iPhone has better longevity features. |
- Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max (bigger battery, faster charging, wireless)
- Trade-off: Moto G Stylus has slow charging (10W is outdated).
Software & Updates
| Feature | Moto G Stylus 5G | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | iOS 18 (6+ years of updates) | iPhone gets longer support. |
| Ecosystem | Android (flexibility) | iOS (tight integration) | iPhone better if you have other Apple devices. |
- Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max (longer support, smoother updates)
- Trade-off: Moto G Stylus runs near-stock Android, which some prefer.
Extras
| Feature | Moto G Stylus 5G | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stylus Support | Yes (included) | No | Moto is better for notes/drawing. |
| Security | Rear fingerprint sensor | Face ID | iPhone’s Face ID is more seamless. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | iPhone has faster Wi-Fi and BT. |
- Winner for stylus: Moto G Stylus 5G
- Winner for everything else: iPhone 16 Pro Max
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Strengths:
✔ Built-in stylus (great for note-taking, sketching)
✔ Ultrawide & macro cameras (more versatility)
✔ Lighter & slightly cheaper
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Strengths:
✔ Far better performance (A18 Pro vs. Snapdragon 480)
✔ Superior display (OLED, 120Hz, 2000 nits brightness)
✔ Best-in-class cameras (48MP main, telephoto, 4K HDR video)
✔ Longer updates (iOS 18 with 6+ years of support)
3. Who Should Buy Which?
Get the Moto G Stylus 5G if you:
✔ Need a stylus for notes or drawing
✔ Want a budget-friendly phone
✔ Don’t care about high-end performance
Get the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you:
✔ Want the best camera & display
✔ Demand flagship performance
✔ Prefer iOS or use other Apple devices
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask Yourself:
- Do I need a stylus? → Moto G Stylus 5G
- Do I want the best camera and performance? → iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Am I tied to Android or iOS? → Choose accordingly.
Final Verdict: What Would I Choose?
I’d pick the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Why?
- Performance gap is enormous (A18 Pro is in another league)
- Camera & display are far superior (OLED, 120Hz, 4K HDR)
- Longer software support (~6 years vs. ~2 for Moto)
Unless you specifically need a stylus, the iPhone is the clear winner. The Moto G Stylus 5G is great for budget users who want a pen, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an all-around powerhouse.
Would you choose differently? Let me know in the comments! 🚀
