Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 20 and the Asus ROG Phone 6. These two phones take very different approaches to the smartphone experience, and understanding their strengths and trade-offs is key to picking the right one for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-08-16 | 2022-07-13 | ROG Phone 6 is newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 163 x 76 x 7 mm | 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 6 is larger and thicker. |
| Weight | 163g | 239g | Edge 20 is much lighter for easier handling. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Very similar screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Practically identical sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 385 PPI | 395 PPI | Effectively the same clarity. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant, high-contrast visuals. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 6 has slightly smoother animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | ROG Phone 6 is much better in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G 5G | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | ROG Phone 6 is significantly faster for gaming, heavy apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 589,200 | 1,203,000 | ROG Phone 6 offers twice the performance, snappier and smoother performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 730 | ROG Phone 6 has a much more powerful graphics processor. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP f/1.9 | 50MP f/1.9 | Edge 20 has higher resolution but potentially smaller pixels. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/1.56" | Edge 20 main sensor is slightly larger. |
| Main Sensor Model | Samsung S5KHM2 | Sony IMX766 | Different sensors from different manufacturers. |
| Main Pixel Size | 0.70µm | 1.00µm | ROG Phone 6 larger pixels may capture more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.3 | 12MP f/2.0 | Edge 20 has higher resolution but ROG Phone 6 has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Sensor Size | - | 1/2.93" | ROG Phone 6 has a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Pixel Size | 0.70µm | 1.22µm | ROG Phone 6's larger pixels for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP f/2.4 | None | Edge 20 offers dedicated zoom capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP f/2.2 | ROG Phone 6 can capture wider scenes. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP f/2.4 | ROG Phone 6 can capture extreme closeups. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 16MP f/2.2 | None | Edge 20 has a combined macro + wide-angle camera. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps | ROG Phone 6 captures higher-resolution video. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS | Both phones have electronic image stabilization. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 6 should last much longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 30W | 65W | ROG Phone 6 charges much faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass & Reverse Charging | ROG Phone 6 has the ability to charge without powering the battery (for better heat management during gaming). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | ROG Phone 6 comes with newer software and will receive updates for longer. |
| Max OS Version | Android 12 | Android 13 | ROG Phone 6 will receive another OS update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both offer the latest WiFi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 | Both are similar with minor Bluetooth features differentiations. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 6 is much more accurate with more navigation systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | ROG Phone 6 has a 512GB option, otherwise both have similar options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | ROG Phone 6 offers much more RAM for better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | ROG Phone 6 offers a far superior audio experience, especially for gaming. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic | Edge 20 has a more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus | ROG Phone 6 offers much better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope;Gravity | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | ROG Phone 6 is much more accurate with more navigation systems. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20:
- Strengths: The Edge 20's primary advantage is its lightweight and slim design making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold for extended periods. It boasts a higher resolution main camera (108MP) and a telephoto lens, giving you zoom capabilities. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and convenient, but note it is very thin.
- Competitive Advantages: This is the better choice for people who are looking for a light, sleek phone with a solid main camera and prefer the side-mounted fingerprint sensor. It's also typically more affordable than the ROG Phone 6, hitting a lower price point.
- Trade-offs: The Edge 20 is at a massive performance disadvantage, with a lower tier chipset, GPU, and much less RAM. Its display is dimmer, especially in bright sunlight. The smaller battery results in shorter battery life and slower charging speed. The audio quality is basic, and the build is less premium.
Asus ROG Phone 6:
- Strengths: The ROG Phone 6 is a performance powerhouse. It has the top-tier Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, tons of RAM, a 165Hz bright AMOLED display, and a massive 6000mAh battery with fast charging. The audio capabilities are also superior, with stereo speakers and more microphones.
- Competitive Advantages: It’s designed for gamers, content creators, and power users who want a no-compromise phone. It's also built to last with Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection and features bypass charging for gaming. Its camera array, although lower resolution, features superior sensor, a wider aperture, and more features for low-light capture.
- Trade-offs: The ROG Phone 6 is significantly heavier and bulkier. It's also more expensive, sacrificing portability for performance and robust features.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 20:
- Best for: Casual users who value portability, a good camera for general photography, and a more affordable price tag.
- Use Cases: Everyday social media use, taking pictures of family and friends, basic productivity tasks, and users who don't need extreme performance in apps or games.
- Asus ROG Phone 6:
- Best for: Gamers, heavy multitaskers, power users, and those who value top-tier performance and battery life above all else.
- Use Cases: Playing demanding mobile games at high refresh rates, running resource-intensive apps, content creation and editing, long hours away from a charger.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize performance and battery life above all else? If yes, the ROG Phone 6 is the clear winner.
- Is portability and comfort a big concern? If so, the much lighter and slimmer Edge 20 is a more comfortable daily driver.
- What’s your budget? If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Edge 20 will be easier to justify. If your budget is more flexible and you are seeking more power, the ROG Phone 6 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gamer: ROG Phone 6. Its performance, refresh rate, and audio features are built for gaming.
- The Casual User: Motorola Edge 20. It handles everyday tasks well, takes good photos, and is much easier to carry around.
- The Content Creator: ROG Phone 6. Its 8K video, better screen, and performance make it more suitable for mobile content creation and editing.
- The Budget-Conscious User: Motorola Edge 20. It strikes a balance of key features without breaking the bank.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 6. The reason is simple: I tend to lean towards the highest performance available. I value the smoothness, responsiveness, and the overall future-proofing that comes with the latest hardware. While I appreciate the sleek design of the Edge 20, I would gladly trade it for the superior display, much better audio, bigger battery, and significantly more powerful chipset of the ROG Phone 6, even with its added bulk and higher price. I also like to game a fair bit and like to capture high quality photos and videos, for which the ROG Phone 6 is much more suitable. I also enjoy a phone that is less likely to lag when I'm multitasking and find the higher quality build reassuring for longevity. For me, the ROG Phone 6 offers a more compelling overall package, particularly for tasks that tend to demand more processing power.
