Motorola Edge Plus Vs Iphone 11 Pro Max Is The Iphone Still Worth It

In 2024, the smartphone market has evolved dramatically. Flagships from Android manufacturers now rival — and sometimes surpass — Apple’s offerings in raw specs and features. The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) represents a new wave of high-performance Android devices with aggressive pricing, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max, once Apple’s crown jewel, remains in circulation through refurbished and secondhand markets. But how do they stack up today? And more importantly, is the iPhone 11 Pro Max still a worthwhile investment compared to the newer Motorola Edge Plus?

This isn’t just about megapixels or processor speeds. It’s about real-world usability, longevity, ecosystem integration, and overall value. Let’s break down the key areas where these two phones differ — and where they converge.

Performance and Hardware: Power vs Longevity

The Motorola Edge Plus runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, one of the most powerful mobile chipsets available in 2023. Paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, it handles multitasking, gaming, and AI-driven applications with ease. Benchmark scores place it far ahead of the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s A13 Bionic chip, especially in GPU-intensive tasks.

However, raw performance isn’t everything. Apple’s A13 Bionic, though three generations old, was built with exceptional efficiency and optimization in mind. iOS is tightly integrated with Apple’s silicon, allowing older iPhones to remain responsive years after release. In everyday use — browsing, messaging, social media — the iPhone 11 Pro Max still feels smooth, even in 2024.

Tip: When buying a used flagship, prioritize software support over hardware. A phone with outdated OS updates may struggle with modern apps regardless of its original power.

But here's the catch: the iPhone 11 Pro Max launched with iOS 13 and is currently capped at iOS 17. While this ensures continued security patches, app developers are increasingly optimizing for newer architectures. Some apps may begin to lag or drop support entirely in the coming year.

Camera Comparison: Versatility vs Consistency

On paper, the Motorola Edge Plus wins with higher resolution sensors and advanced computational photography. Its triple rear system includes a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide. Night mode, HDR, and portrait processing are handled by on-device AI, delivering crisp, vibrant images in most conditions.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max, by contrast, uses a 12MP triple-camera setup — ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto — all with modest megapixel counts. But Apple’s image signal processing and Smart HDR 3 produce photos that are consistently balanced, natural-looking, and reliable across lighting scenarios. Videos, especially, benefit from cinematic stabilization and Dolby Vision recording, features still unmatched by most Android rivals.

“Apple doesn’t chase megapixel numbers. They focus on color accuracy, dynamic range, and video quality — which matters more to professional creators.” — David Lin, Mobile Photography Analyst at TechLens Weekly

In low light, the Edge Plus captures brighter shots but often oversaturates colors or introduces noise in shadows. The iPhone maintains better contrast and detail preservation, even if the image appears darker out of the gate.

Battery Life and Charging: Real-World Endurance

The Motorola Edge Plus packs a 5000mAh battery — significantly larger than the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s 3969mAh unit. Combined with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and efficient chipset tuning, the Edge Plus easily lasts a full day and a half under moderate use. It also supports 68W fast charging, reaching 80% in under 30 minutes, and 15W wireless charging.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max, while praised for its battery life in 2019, shows its age here. Most units today have degraded batteries, reducing real-world endurance to around 6–7 hours of screen-on time. Apple’s slow 18W charging (sold separately) means a full charge takes over two hours. No MagSafe compatibility either, limiting wireless charging flexibility.

Feature	Motorola Edge Plus (2023)	iPhone 11 Pro Max
Battery Capacity	5000 mAh	3969 mAh
Fast Charging	68W (included charger)	18W (charger sold separately)
Wireless Charging	15W	7.5W
Estimated Daily Use	1.2 – 1.5 days	0.7 – 1 day (varies with battery health)

Software and Ecosystem: The Hidden Factor

Android 13 on the Edge Plus offers deep customization, split-screen multitasking, and near-stock Google experience with minimal bloatware. Motorola adds useful touches like gesture controls and Ready For desktop mode, turning the phone into a mini PC when connected to a monitor.

iOS 17 on the iPhone 11 Pro Max delivers seamless integration with other Apple devices — AirPods, Apple Watch, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime. If you're embedded in the Apple ecosystem, switching can be disruptive. Features like AirDrop, Handoff, and Continuity Camera enhance productivity in ways Android still struggles to match.

Yet, the iPhone 11 Pro Max will not receive iOS 18, cutting it off from future innovations like improved Siri, enhanced Messages, and new privacy tools. The Edge Plus, meanwhile, promises four years of OS updates and five years of security patches — a major advantage for long-term ownership.

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah, a freelance designer based in Portland, needed a new phone but had a tight budget. Her iPhone 11 Pro Max, purchased in 2020, started slowing down in late 2023. Apps crashed more frequently, battery drained by noon, and iOS updates became sluggish.

She considered buying another iPhone — maybe an iPhone 13 or 14 — but found a refurbished Edge Plus for $599, nearly $200 less than the cheapest current-gen iPhone with similar specs. After testing it for two weeks, she appreciated the faster charging, larger screen for design previews, and smoother multitasking with her stylus-enabled notes app.

Her only regret? Missing iMessage. She switched to WhatsApp and stayed in touch via email and shared cloud folders. “It wasn’t perfect,” she said, “but for my workflow, the Motorola gave me more utility for less money.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone 11 Pro Max still run modern apps smoothly?

Yes, for basic tasks like social media, email, and streaming. However, graphically intensive apps, AR experiences, and newer games may lag or not be supported. Battery degradation in older units also impacts sustained performance.

Is the Motorola Edge Plus waterproof?

It has an IP52 rating, meaning it’s splash-resistant but not fully waterproof. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has an IP68 rating, offering submersion protection up to 4 meters for 30 minutes — still relevant for accidental drops in water.

Which phone holds resale value better?

Historically, iPhones retain value longer. An iPhone 11 Pro Max in good condition might fetch $250–$300 today. The Edge Plus, being less mainstream, may depreciate faster, likely selling for $350–$400 in 2025, depending on demand.

Action Checklist Before You Buy

• ✅ Check the actual battery health (on iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health)
• ✅ Confirm software update eligibility — will the device get next year’s OS?
• ✅ Evaluate your ecosystem needs — do you rely on AirPods, iCloud, or Mac integration?
• ✅ Test charging speed and daily endurance — don’t trust marketing claims alone
• ✅ Consider long-term support — Android brands now offer multi-year updates comparable to Apple

Final Verdict: Is the iPhone 11 Pro Max Still Worth It?

The answer depends on your priorities. If you value seamless integration with Apple services, prefer consistent camera output, and already own other Apple devices, the iPhone 11 Pro Max can still serve as a functional daily driver — provided the battery is replaced and performance meets your needs.

But if you want future-proof hardware, faster charging, superior display technology (1440p AMOLED with 120Hz), and longer software support, the Motorola Edge Plus is the smarter choice in 2024. It offers flagship-level performance at a competitive price, with features the iPhone 11 Pro Max never had and never will.

For most users upgrading from an older iPhone, the Edge Plus represents a compelling alternative — not just in specs, but in value. The era of assuming \"iPhone = best\" is fading. Today, the decision must be intentional, informed by usage patterns, ecosystem ties, and realistic expectations.

💬 Have you made the switch from iPhone to Android — or stuck with Apple? Share your experience and help others decide what’s truly worth it in today’s smartphone landscape.