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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerMotorola Moto G Play (2024) vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Choosing between Motorola Moto G Play (2024) and Apple iPhone 17 Pro can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4.5★ vs 4.8★
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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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Apple iPhone 17 Pro
★4.8
(108)•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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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Comparison: Motorola Moto G Play (2024) vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Motorola Moto G Play (2024)
★4.5(848)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
★4.8(108)Best Buy
| Criterion | Motorola Moto G Play (2024) | Apple iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(848)Best Buy | ★4.8(108)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 14) and 3 years of security updates (until Jan 2027) | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) |
Graphics | Adreno 610 | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) |
RAM | 4GB (Plus up to 2GB Virtual RAM Boost) | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 64GB UFS 2.2 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.5" | 6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (Peak) | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 1600 x 720 (HD+) | 2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 90Hz (Auto/60Hz/90Hz) | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display |
Peak Brightness | 500 nits (High Brightness Mode) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Quad Pixel Technology | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | No (Not supported) | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography |
Telephoto Camera | No (Not supported) | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) |
Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 8x | Up to 40x |
Video Recording | 1080p @ 30fps | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps |
Front Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 5,000mAh (Typical) | 4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | 15W TurboPower (Charger NOT included in box) | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | No (Not supported) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 4G LTE (No 5G), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode |
USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP52 (Water-repellent design); Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (Front) | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber) |
Dimensions | 6.45 x 2.95 x 0.33 in (163.8 x 75.0 x 8.3 mm) | 5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm) |
Weight | 6.53 oz (185 g) | 7.27 oz (206 g) |
Biometrics | Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock | Face ID |
Extras | Stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos), 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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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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Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Rating:★4.8(108)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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent)
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 40x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Front Camera:18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber)
Dimensions:5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.27 oz (206 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- • Triple 48MP camera system with new 4x tetraprism telephoto
- • A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM and vapor chamber cooling
- • Excellent battery life (up to 33 hours video playback)
- • Fast 40W wired charging and 25W wireless charging
✗ Cons:
- • Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US models)
- • Telephoto aperture (f/2.8) is narrower than the main lens, impacting low-light zoom
- • Heavier than the standard iPhone 17
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Which one is better?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro is stronger in overall satisfaction, but Motorola Moto G Play (2024) could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Motorola Moto G Play (2024) suits buyers who need Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos are excellent for this price tier, Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 provides reliable basic performance (better than Helio G37)
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro suits buyers who want Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor), Triple 48MP camera system with new 4x tetraprism telephoto
Conclusion
Motorola Moto G Play (2024) and Apple iPhone 17 Pro are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Motorola Moto G Play (2024) excels if you value stereo speakers with dolby atmos are excellent for this price tier. Apple iPhone 17 Pro is better if you prioritize brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). 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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