Modu T vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The smartphone landscape is diverse, ranging from ultra-premium flagships to budget-friendly options. We pit the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, representing the pinnacle of iOS performance and features, against the Modu T, a device powered by the Qualcomm QSC6270, to determine where each phone excels and for whom it's the better choice. This isn't about declaring a single 'winner,' but understanding the trade-offs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a seamless experience, exceptional camera capabilities, and long-term software support, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the clear winner. However, the Modu T presents a compelling option for users on a strict budget who need basic smartphone functionality and aren't demanding high performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Modu T Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2894, A2896
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2894, A2896
SpeedHSPA 3.6/0.384 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2895
Launch
Announced2010, October. Released 2010, Q42022, September 07
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, September 16
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions76 x 46.5 x 11 mm (2.99 x 1.83 x 0.43 in)160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)
SIMMini-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight-240 g (8.47 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~42.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colorsLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
 -Always-On display
Platform
CPU-Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
ChipsetQualcomm QSC6270Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
GPU-Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
OS-iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Call recordsYes-
Card slotmicroSD (dedicated slot), 2 GB includedNo
Internal-128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
PhonebookYes-
 -NVMe
Main Camera
Features-Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single-12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video-4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single-12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video-4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP5.3, A2DP, LE
NFC-Yes
PositioningA-GPS onlyGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioStereo FM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANNoWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
BrowserObligo Q7-
GamesYes-
JavaYes-
MessagingSMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM-
SensorsAccelerometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 MP3 player MP4/H.263 player Facebook, Twitter, eBuddy, Flickr, Snaptu, YouTube Voice memo Predictive text inputUltra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)
Battery
Charging-Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
Music playUp to 10 h-
Stand-byUp to 210 h (2G) / Up to 210 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 7 h (2G) / Up to 3 h (3G)-
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 500 mAh batteryLi-Ion 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlackSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
Models-A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3
Price-€ 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75
SAR-1.15 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 121h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
Camera
 No-

Modu T

  • Significantly lower price point
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • Potentially longer battery life due to lower power consumption

  • Substantially lower performance
  • Inferior camera quality
  • Limited software support and updates

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance with the A16 Bionic
  • Professional-grade camera system
  • Stunning display with high brightness and contrast

  • High price tag
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Relatively slow charging compared to some competitors

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a significantly more advanced display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1760 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the Modu T’s display specifications are unavailable, suggesting a lower brightness level. The iPhone’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, likely achieved through OLED technology, delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While the Modu T’s panel type isn’t specified, it’s reasonable to assume it utilizes LCD, which typically offers lower contrast. The iPhone 14 Pro Max also benefits from features like ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate) which the Modu T likely lacks, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s camera system is far more sophisticated. While specific sensor details for the Modu T are missing, the iPhone 14 Pro Max likely features a larger main sensor, advanced image stabilization (OIS), and a more versatile lens array. Apple’s computational photography prowess, powered by the A16 Bionic’s image signal processor, delivers superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The iPhone’s video recording capabilities are also significantly more advanced, offering features like ProRes video recording and Cinematic mode.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Apple A16 Bionic, a 4nm chip with a hexa-core CPU (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth), is in a different league than the Qualcomm QSC6270. The A16’s architecture and manufacturing process deliver significantly higher processing power and efficiency. While the QSC6270 is adequate for basic tasks, the A16 handles demanding applications, gaming, and video editing with ease. The iPhone 14 Pro Max also benefits from faster LPDDR5X RAM, further enhancing performance. Thermal management is also a key differentiator; the A16’s efficiency allows for sustained performance under load, while the QSC6270 may experience throttling during prolonged intensive use.

Battery Life

Both the Modu T and the iPhone 14 Pro Max share an endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The iPhone 14 Pro Max offers significantly faster charging speeds with wired PD2.0 (50% in 30 minutes) and 15W wireless charging via MagSafe and Qi2 (requiring iOS 17.2). The Modu T’s charging specifications are unknown, but likely slower. The iPhone’s optimized power management, coupled with the A16 Bionic’s efficiency, contributes to its impressive endurance despite its power-hungry features.

Buying Guide

Buy the Modu T if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing, and prioritize affordability above all else. You'll be sacrificing performance and features, but gaining significant cost savings. Buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max if you demand the best possible performance, a professional-grade camera system, a stunning display, and a polished software experience, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How will the Qualcomm QSC6270 in the Modu T handle multitasking compared to the A16 Bionic?
The Qualcomm QSC6270 is designed for basic smartphone tasks. Multitasking with several apps open simultaneously will likely result in noticeable slowdowns and lag. The A16 Bionic, on the other hand, excels at multitasking, allowing you to seamlessly switch between apps without performance degradation.
❓ Does the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s MagSafe charging offer a significant advantage over standard Qi wireless charging?
MagSafe provides a more secure connection and optimized charging speeds (15W) compared to standard Qi wireless charging. While the iPhone 14 Pro Max also supports Qi2, MagSafe offers a more reliable and efficient wireless charging experience, especially when using compatible accessories.
❓ What kind of software updates can Modu T users expect compared to iPhone 14 Pro Max users?
Apple provides long-term software support for its iPhones, typically 5-7 years of major iOS updates. Modu T users should expect limited software updates, potentially only security patches, and a shorter overall software support lifespan. This impacts security and access to new features.