Motorola Moto G23 vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 24, 2023 September 20, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 99.66 cm³ 97.64 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.53 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 184.3 g 199 g
Height 162.7 mm 160.9 mm
Width 74.7 mm 77.8 mm
Thickness 8.2 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Pearl White
  • Steel Blue
  • Matte Charcoal
  • Black
  • White
  • Pink
  • Teal
  • Ultramarine

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.7 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1290 x 2796
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.9 % 88 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A 1000 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 2000 nits
Peak Brightness 400 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 104.12 mAh/in²
Battery Density 50.17 mAh/cm³ 47.87 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4674 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) Apple A18 (3 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)
GPU Mali-G52 MC2 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 13 18
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G23Apple iPhone 16 PlusPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8iPhone 16 Plus is slightly shorter, wider, and thinner. Moto G23 might feel slightly less premium due to potential material differences (not specified).
Weight (g)184.3199Moto G23 is noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDSuper Retina XDR OLEDiPhone boasts superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially higher brightness with HDR support, leading to a more vibrant viewing experience.
Display Size (inches)6.56.7iPhone offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption.
Resolution720 x 16001290 x 2796iPhone has a significantly sharper display (460 ppi vs 270 ppi), resulting in crisper text and images.
Refresh Rate90HzUnspecified90Hz on the Moto G23 provides smoother scrolling and animations compared to a standard 60Hz display (assuming iPhone 16 Plus is 60Hz as no refresh rate is specified).
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G85 (12nm)Apple A18 (3nm)A18 chip in iPhone will significantly outperform the Helio G85 in speed, multitasking, and graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. 3nm architecture implies better power efficiency on the iPhone.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)iPhone's CPU architecture and higher clock speeds indicate a substantial performance advantage.
GPUMali-G52 MC2Apple GPU (5-core graphics)iPhone's custom GPU will deliver significantly better gaming and graphics performance.
RAM4GB8GBMore RAM on the iPhone allows for smoother multitasking and handling more demanding applications.
Camera
Main Camera50MP48MPWhile Moto G23 has higher megapixels, iPhone's larger sensor (1/1.3") and wider aperture (f/1.6) likely result in better low-light performance and depth of field. Image quality depends on processing as well, which is generally superior in iPhones.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps with HDRiPhone offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, frame rates, and HDR support.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50004674Despite slightly lower capacity, iPhone's more efficient chip could result in comparable or even better battery life. Real-world usage will vary.
Fast Charging30W25WMoto G23 offers slightly faster wired charging. iPhone offers wireless charging, which is not specified for the Moto G23.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G23 Advantages:

  • Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: Potentially more detail in well-lit conditions (though overall image quality depends on processing).
  • Faster Wired Charging: Quicker top-ups.
  • 90Hz Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus Advantages:

  • Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster CPU and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Superior Display: OLED technology with higher resolution, contrast, and HDR support for a more immersive viewing experience.
  • Better Camera System: Larger sensor, wider aperture, and advanced features likely result in better overall image and video quality.
  • Premium Build Quality: Expected higher quality materials and construction.
  • Longer Software Support: Apple devices generally receive longer software updates.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G23: Budget-conscious users prioritizing affordability, battery life, and a large display for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and casual photography.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus: Users prioritizing performance, premium experience, a vibrant display, high-quality camera, and long-term software support. Suitable for demanding tasks, gaming, content creation, and photography enthusiasts.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Moto G23 offers excellent value for its price, while the iPhone 16 Plus commands a premium.
  2. What are your primary use cases? Basic tasks vs. demanding applications, gaming, and content creation.
  3. How important are display quality, camera performance, and long-term software updates?

My Choice: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

While the Motorola Moto G23 offers excellent value, the iPhone 16 Plus is the superior device overall. The significant difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and expected software support justifies the higher price for me. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, a vibrant display for consuming media, and a capable camera for capturing high-quality photos and videos. While the Moto G23 is a compelling budget option, the iPhone 16 Plus offers a more future-proof and premium experience that aligns better with my needs. The lighter weight of the Moto G23 is tempting, but the overall advantages of the iPhone outweigh this single benefit.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.