Apple iPhone XS Max vs Motorola Edge 40
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone XS Max delivers a premium flagship experience with its refined Super Retina OLED display, powerful A12 Bionic chip, and industry-leading software ecosystem, though its 60Hz refresh rate and 3174 mAh battery feel dated. Motorola's Edge 40 offers substantially more value at less than half the price, featuring a larger 144Hz pOLED display, significantly larger 4400 mAh battery with faster 68W charging, superior main camera with 50 MP sensor, 5G connectivity, and modern USB-C. Performance differs notably: the iPhone XS Max excels in single-core tasks and gaming optimization, while the Edge 40 provides competitive everyday performance with 8GB RAM versus 4GB. Camera quality favors Apple for video and color accuracy, though Motorola's 50MP main sensor captures more detail. For budget-conscious buyers seeking modern features and all-day battery, the Edge 40 is the clear winner. The iPhone XS Max justifies its premium price only for those deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS Max if…
- →Largest iPhone display at the time (6.5 inches)
- →Dual SIM with eSIM support introduced
- →Gorgeous Super Retina OLED display
Buy the Motorola Edge 40 if…
- →Ultra-slim at 7.49 mm and light at 167 g with IP68 protection
- →144Hz pOLED display is exceptionally smooth
- →f/1.4 main camera aperture captures excellent low-light photos
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone XS Max
Pros
- Largest iPhone display at the time (6.5 inches)
- Dual SIM with eSIM support introduced
- Gorgeous Super Retina OLED display
- A12 Bionic with first 7nm mobile chip
- Stereo speakers with wide sound
Cons
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Very expensive starting at $1099
- No Night mode in camera
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
Motorola Edge 40
Pros
- Ultra-slim at 7.49 mm and light at 167 g with IP68 protection
- 144Hz pOLED display is exceptionally smooth
- f/1.4 main camera aperture captures excellent low-light photos
- 68W fast charging with wireless charging at this price
- Vegan leather option provides a unique, grippy texture
Cons
- Dimensity 8020 is a mid-range chip — not flagship performance
- Only one OS update promised by Motorola
- 4400 mAh battery is modest for heavy users
- No telephoto camera for zoom shots
- 256 GB single storage option with no expansion
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XS Max | Motorola Edge 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 208 g | 167 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm | 158.4 x 72 x 7.49 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.4, OIS, PDAF |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | — |
| Ultrawide | — | 13 MP, f/2.2, macro mode |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3174 mAh | 4400 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 68W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.55 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | pOLED |
| Resolution | 2688 x 1242 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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