Motorola Edge 50 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra arrives as a compelling Android alternative, boasting incredibly fast charging and a high-refresh-rate display, directly challenging Apple’s established dominance with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two flagship devices, focusing on performance, battery, display, and camera capabilities to determine which reigns supreme.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a polished ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro Max wins out, offering superior battery life and the seamless integration of iOS. However, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra delivers a compelling value proposition with its blazing-fast 125W charging and competitive performance, making it ideal for power users who prioritize speed and flexibility.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 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, 53, 66 - A3106
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3106
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, April 162023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, May 15Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), wooden back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions161.1 x 72.4 x 8.6 mm (6.34 x 2.85 x 0.34 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· 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)
Weight197 g (6.95 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCeramic Shield glass
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~92.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 735Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 3 major Android upgradesiOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 12mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, Dolby Vision HDR
Single50 MP, f/1.9, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, HDR4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging125W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wirelessWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
Type4500 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsForest Grey, Nordic Wood, Peach FuzzBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
Models-A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
Price$ 939.00 / C$ 1,299.00 / £ 490.00 / € 609.90 / ₹ 59,999€ 758.79 / $ 579.87 / £ 628.29
SAR-1.07 W/kg (head)     1.11 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)

Motorola Edge 50 Ultra

  • Blazing-fast 125W wired charging
  • Competitive Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 performance
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Shorter battery life compared to iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Android ecosystem fragmentation and update delays

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Exceptional battery life (16:01h active use)
  • Powerful A17 Pro chipset with 3nm architecture
  • Seamless iOS ecosystem and long-term software support

  • Higher price tag
  • Slower charging speeds compared to Motorola

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1787 nits compared to the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra’s 1473 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates (though not explicitly stated for the Motorola), Apple’s display benefits from its calibration and color accuracy. The iPhone’s ProMotion technology dynamically adjusts up to 120Hz, while the Motorola’s refresh rate is not specified, but is assumed to be similar. The difference in peak brightness is a tangible advantage for the iPhone, particularly for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

The context data lacks detailed camera specifications for both devices, making a precise comparison difficult. However, given Apple’s history, the iPhone 15 Pro Max likely features a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially larger sensor sizes, contributing to superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The iPhone’s video capabilities are also renowned. While the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra may offer competitive hardware, Apple’s computational photography expertise is a significant advantage. We can assume both phones will offer excellent image stabilization (OIS) given their flagship status.

Performance

Apple’s A17 Pro chipset, fabricated on a 3nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the Motorola’s 4nm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The A17 Pro’s hexa-core CPU (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) is designed for peak performance, while the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 utilizes an octa-core configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) prioritizing a balance of power and efficiency. While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a capable chip, the A17 Pro’s superior architecture and process node will likely result in faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and better sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming. The iPhone also benefits from optimized software integration.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max demonstrably outperforms the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 16:01h versus 12:56h. This nearly 3.5-hour difference is substantial. While the Motorola compensates with incredibly fast 125W wired charging (fully charging the phone in a fraction of the time), the iPhone’s 50% in 30 minutes with PD2.0 is still respectable. The Motorola also offers 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging, features the iPhone matches with 15W MagSafe/Qi2 (requiring iOS 17.2) and 4.5W reverse wired. The iPhone’s superior battery life is a key advantage for users who prioritize all-day usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra if you need exceptionally fast charging, prefer the Android ecosystem's customization options, and value a high-performance device at a potentially lower price point. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize all-day battery life, a refined user experience, a robust app ecosystem, and long-term software support, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra throttle under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a powerful chip, its thermal performance will be crucial. The 4nm process helps, but sustained gaming could lead to some throttling. However, Motorola’s cooling solution will play a significant role in mitigating this. It's unlikely to be as severe as throttling on older chipsets, but the A17 Pro’s superior efficiency gives the iPhone an advantage in maintaining peak performance for longer periods.
❓ How does the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s Qi2 wireless charging compare to the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra’s 50W wireless charging?
While the iPhone 15 Pro Max supports Qi2 wireless charging, it’s limited to 15W. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra’s 50W wireless charging is significantly faster, offering a substantial convenience advantage for users who frequently utilize wireless charging. However, the iPhone’s MagSafe ecosystem provides a more secure and optimized wireless charging experience.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging on either phone useful for more than just earbuds?
The 10W reverse wireless charging on the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra and the 4.5W on the iPhone 15 Pro Max are primarily intended for small accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. Charging a phone with reverse wireless charging is extremely slow and inefficient, making it impractical for anything beyond emergency top-ups.