Motorola Edge vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Detailed Comparison of Performance, Battery, and Display

The Motorola Edge represents a compelling value proposition in the mid-range 5G smartphone market, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands as Apple’s current flagship, pushing the boundaries of mobile technology. This comparison dissects the core differences between these devices, examining whether the iPhone’s premium price justifies its advanced features or if the Motorola Edge offers a more sensible experience for the average user.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers a superior experience thanks to its significantly more powerful A17 Pro chip, brighter display, and faster charging. However, the Motorola Edge provides excellent battery endurance and 5G connectivity at a substantially lower price point, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 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, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 78 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
EDGENo-
GPRSNo-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, April 22. Released 2020, May 292023, September 12
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic backGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions161.6 x 71.1 x 9.3 mm (6.36 x 2.80 x 0.37 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-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)
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
 Water-repellent coating-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~95.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 90Hz, HDR10LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSAndroid 10iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single3.15 MP, AF-
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1.12µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm TOF 3D, (depth)48 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@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
Single25 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.9µm12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
BrowserHTML, Adobe Flash-
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
Stand-byUp to 950 h-
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsSolar Black, Midnight MagentaBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsXT2063-2, XT2063-3A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 758.79 / $ 579.87 / £ 628.29
SAR-1.07 W/kg (head)     1.11 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.18 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 102h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -30.4 LUFS (Below average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 305989 (v8) GeekBench: 1862 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola Edge

  • Exceptional battery endurance (102h rating)
  • More affordable price point
  • 5G connectivity

  • Significantly less powerful processor
  • Less advanced camera system
  • Slower charging speeds

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Industry-leading A17 Pro performance
  • Brilliant and bright display (1787 nits)
  • Fast charging capabilities (wired and wireless)

  • Significantly higher price
  • Potentially shorter battery life in active use compared to endurance rating
  • Ecosystem lock-in

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1787 nits, compared to the Motorola Edge’s ‘Infinite’ (nominal) contrast ratio, which doesn’t specify peak brightness. While the Motorola Edge’s contrast ratio suggests deep blacks, the iPhone’s higher brightness translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. The iPhone 15 Pro Max likely utilizes an LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates, enhancing power efficiency and smoothness, a feature not explicitly stated for the Motorola Edge. The lack of specific display specs for the Motorola Edge makes a direct comparison challenging, but the iPhone clearly leads in quantifiable brightness.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Apple typically employs larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The iPhone’s computational photography prowess, combined with features like ProRes video recording, provides a significant advantage in image quality and creative control. The Motorola Edge’s camera system is likely geared towards general-purpose photography, but will likely lack the advanced features and image quality of the iPhone.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s Apple A17 Pro, fabricated on a 3nm process, features a hexa-core CPU with peak clock speeds of 3.78 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Motorola Edge’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm), an octa-core processor with a maximum clock speed of 2.4 GHz. The A17 Pro’s architectural advantages and smaller process node deliver significantly higher processing power and improved thermal efficiency, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and superior gaming performance. The iPhone’s GPU will also far exceed the capabilities of the Snapdragon 765G’s Adreno 620.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves an active use score of 16:01h and an endurance rating of 118h, while the Motorola Edge boasts an endurance rating of 102h. Despite the Motorola Edge’s higher endurance rating, the iPhone’s real-world active use score is longer, suggesting more efficient power management. The iPhone also offers significantly faster charging with 18W wired charging and 15W wireless charging (MagSafe/Qi2), compared to the Motorola Edge’s 18W wired charging. The iPhone’s charging speed allows for a 50% charge in 30 minutes, while the Motorola Edge’s charging time is likely considerably longer.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge if you prioritize long battery life and affordability, and are comfortable with the Android ecosystem. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for communication, social media, and light media consumption. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you demand the absolute best performance, a stunning display, and a premium camera experience, and are willing to invest in the Apple ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Snapdragon 765G handle demanding games compared to the A17 Pro?
The Snapdragon 765G is a capable mid-range processor, but it will struggle with graphically intensive games at high settings. The A17 Pro, on the other hand, is designed for demanding mobile gaming, offering significantly higher frame rates and smoother gameplay even on the most challenging titles. Expect to lower graphics settings on the Motorola Edge to maintain playable frame rates.
❓ Does the iPhone 15 Pro Max's faster charging significantly impact daily use?
Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s ability to reach 50% charge in 30 minutes is a substantial convenience. The Motorola Edge’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring more time to fully replenish the battery. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their phone throughout the day.
❓ What real-world difference does the 3nm process node of the A17 Pro make?
The 3nm process node allows for a higher transistor density and improved power efficiency compared to the Motorola Edge's 7nm Snapdragon 765G. This translates to more processing power within a smaller space, leading to faster performance and reduced heat generation, ultimately preventing performance throttling during extended use.