Apple iPhone XS Max vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
The Verdict
Comparing these devices reveals a significant generational and price gap. Apple's iPhone XS Max, released in 2018, features a refined 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED display with 725 nits brightness and the powerful A12 Bionic chip, delivering smooth iOS performance and exceptional video capabilities at 4K@60fps. Motorola's 2024 Moto G Stylus 5G offers substantially better value, with a larger 6.7-inch pOLED screen (1300 nits), 5G connectivity, higher refresh rate (120Hz), a bigger 5000mAh battery supporting 30W charging, and a superior 50MP main camera with OIS. However, the iPhone's build quality (stainless steel frame), faster processor performance, and refined camera system with optical zoom remain superior. The Motorola excels in raw specifications and modern features like USB-C, faster charging, and 5G at one-third the iPhone's price. For photography enthusiasts prioritizing video and ecosystem integration, the iPhone justifies its premium. Budget-conscious users seeking current technology should choose the Moto G Stylus 5G.
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 Stylus 5G (2024) if…
- →Built-in stylus for note-taking and precise screen interaction
- →Vibrant pOLED 120Hz display with 1300-nit peak brightness
- →IP68 dust and water resistance at the $399 price point
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 Stylus 5G (2024)
Pros
- Built-in stylus for note-taking and precise screen interaction
- Vibrant pOLED 120Hz display with 1300-nit peak brightness
- IP68 dust and water resistance at the $399 price point
- Wireless charging support is uncommon in this segment
- Large 5000 mAh battery with respectable 30W fast charging
Cons
- Stylus lacks Bluetooth or air gesture features like S Pen
- No telephoto camera for zoom photography
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is mid-range — not ideal for heavy gaming
- Only one OS update and three years of security patches
- Video recording maxes out at 4K@30fps
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XS Max | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 208 g | 190 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Vegan leather back, plastic frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm | 162.6 x 75 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS |
| 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 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3174 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 30W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | pOLED |
| Resolution | 2688 x 1242 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 710 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
| 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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