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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 15 vs Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

The Apple iPhone 15 is the premium option here, boasting a stunning 6.1" OLED display and a 48MP main camera that excels in photography. What matters most here is that the iPhone 15's display reaches an impressive 2000 nits outdoors, perfect for bright sunlight. Meanwhile, the Moto G Play (2024) offers a 90Hz refresh rate, making it feel smoother while scrolling, although its 720p resolution lags behind competitors. So, if you're into photography and vibrant displays, the iPhone 15 is a no-brainer,.

📱 Display: 6.1" vs 6.5"⚡ Refresh: 60 Hz vs 90 Hz🔋 Battery: 3349 mAh vs 5000 mAh

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Apple iPhone 15

Apple iPhone 15

4.8
(951)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
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Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

4.5
(848)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 14) and 3 years of security updates (until Jan 2027)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)
Graphics:Adreno 610
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 15
6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
6.5"Winner
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 15
60 Hz
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
90Hz (Auto/60Hz/90Hz)Winner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 15
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 15
6 GB (LPDDR5)Winner
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
4GB (Plus up to 2GB Virtual RAM Boost)
Storage
Apple iPhone 15
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)Winner
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
64GB UFS 2.2 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 15
48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Quad Pixel TechnologyWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 15
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view)
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
No (Not supported)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 15
3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed)
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
5,000mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 15
MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 15
6.02 oz (171 g)Winner
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
6.53 oz (185 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 15
5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
6.45 x 2.95 x 0.33 in (163.8 x 75.0 x 8.3 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 15
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
4G LTE (No 5G), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 15 vs Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

Apple iPhone 15

Apple iPhone 15

4.8(951)Best Buy
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

4.5(848)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 15

Apple iPhone 15

Rating:4.8(951)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
RAM:6 GB (LPDDR5)
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view)
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP quad-pixel sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.02 oz (171 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Dynamic Island; Ring/Silent switch; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite

✓ Pros:

  • High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop
  • Bright, color-accurate OLED display (up to 2000 nits outdoor)
  • Standardized USB-C port for charging and accessories
  • Dynamic Island interface replaces the notch
  • Comfortable, lightweight design with contoured edges

✗ Cons:

  • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
  • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
  • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
  • Always-On display feature is omitted
  • Charging speed is slower compared to competitors

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Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

Rating:4.5(848)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 14) and 3 years of security updates (until Jan 2027)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)
Graphics:Adreno 610
RAM:4GB (Plus up to 2GB Virtual RAM Boost)
Storage:64GB UFS 2.2 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (Peak)
Resolution:1600 x 720 (HD+)
Refresh Rate:90Hz (Auto/60Hz/90Hz)
Peak Brightness:500 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Quad Pixel Technology
Ultra-Wide Camera:No (Not supported)
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 8x
Video Recording:1080p @ 30fps
Front Camera:8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
Battery:5,000mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:15W TurboPower (Charger NOT included in box)
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:4G LTE (No 5G), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:IP52 (Water-repellent design); Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (Front)
Dimensions:6.45 x 2.95 x 0.33 in (163.8 x 75.0 x 8.3 mm)
Weight:6.53 oz (185 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos), 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot

✓ Pros:

  • Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos are excellent for this price tier
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 provides reliable basic performance (better than Helio G37)
  • Clean, bloat-free My UX software experience
  • Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the front display
  • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity

✗ Cons:

  • Resolution is limited to 720p (HD+) while competitors offer 1080p
  • No 5G connectivity (4G LTE only)
  • No NFC for mobile payments (Google Pay)
  • Charging is slow (15W max) and no charger is included in the box
  • Single usable rear camera (no ultrawide or macro lens)

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Which one is better?

The Apple iPhone 15 is the better buy for most people - its 48MP camera crushes the Moto G Play's 50MP in quality and performance.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 15 if: you want stunning photography with a 48MP camera, appreciate vibrant displays for outdoor use, or prefer a premium build and software support.
Choose the Motorola Moto G Play (2024) if: you need a phone that lasts 30 hours on a single charge, want a smoother scrolling experience with a 90Hz display, or are looking for an affordable option under $200.

Conclusion

With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Apple iPhone 15 excels if you value high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop. Motorola Moto G Play (2024) is better if you prioritize stereo speakers with dolby atmos are excellent for this price tier. Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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