Apple iPhone XS Max vs Motorola Moto G 5G (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone XS Max delivers superior display technology with its 6.5-inch OLED Super Retina screen offering 725 nits brightness and premium color accuracy, paired with the powerful A12 Bionic processor enabling exceptional performance and longevity. Motorola's Moto G 5G (2024) counters with a larger 6.6-inch 120Hz IPS LCD display, 5G connectivity, and substantially larger 5000 mAh battery for all-day endurance at just one-fifth the price. Camera capabilities favor Apple with its dual 12MP telephoto system and 4K 60fps video, while Motorola offers a 50MP main sensor but limited to 1080p recording. Build quality distinctly advantages the premium iPhone with stainless steel construction and IP68 rating versus Motorola's plastic design and IP52 protection. Performance disparity is notable, though Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 handles daily tasks adequately. For those prioritizing display excellence, wireless charging, and camera prowess, the iPhone XS Max justifies its investment. Budget-conscious consumers seeking 5G and solid battery life will find tremendous value in the Moto G 5G (2024).
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 Moto G 5G (2024) if…
- →5G connectivity at an extremely affordable $199
- →120Hz display is smooth for gaming and scrolling
- →5000 mAh battery delivers outstanding two-day endurance
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 Moto G 5G (2024)
Pros
- 5G connectivity at an extremely affordable $199
- 120Hz display is smooth for gaming and scrolling
- 5000 mAh battery delivers outstanding two-day endurance
- Near-stock Android 14 is clean and bloat-free
- IP52 splash resistance adds basic protection
Cons
- IPS LCD display has washed-out colors compared to AMOLED
- Only 15W charging takes over two hours for a full charge
- No ultrawide camera — just main and macro
- 4 GB RAM can feel limiting with multiple apps
- Only one OS update promised
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XS Max | Motorola Moto G 5G (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 208 g | 192 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm | 164.9 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | — |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3174 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 15W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2688 x 1242 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 550 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
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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