Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Motorola Edge 20 and the Google Pixel 6. Both phones offer a compelling experience, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed table breaking down the key technical specifications of each phone, with an emphasis on what they mean for the average user:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 | Google Pixel 6 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | 158.6 × 74.8 × 8.9 mm | The Edge 20 is taller and wider, while the Pixel 6 is thicker and has a larger overall volume, making the Edge 20 feel slimmer. |
| Weight | 163g | 207g | The Edge 20 is significantly lighter, which can make it more comfortable for long use. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus | The Pixel 6 has superior screen protection, leading to greater scratch and shatter resistance. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | The Edge 20 has a larger screen, great for media consumption. The Pixel 6 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharp resolution. |
| PPI | 385 | 411 | The Pixel 6 has slightly higher pixel density, resulting in a crisper display. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use high-quality display tech, resulting in vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | The Edge 20 provides a significantly smoother experience, particularly noticeable in animations and gaming. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) | Google Tensor (5nm) | The Pixel 6’s Google Tensor chip offers more powerful performance and AI capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 589,200 | 721,000 | The Pixel 6 has a 22% higher benchmark score, translating to faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G78 MP20 | The Pixel 6 has a more powerful GPU for intensive tasks and gaming. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | The Pixel 6 has a standard 8GB configuration, while the Motorola Edge 20 offers either 6GB or 8GB of RAM |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP (f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm) | 50MP (f/1.85, 1/1.31", 1.2µm) | The Edge 20 has higher megapixel count. The Pixel 6 has a larger sensor with bigger pixel size, better for light capture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.3, 0.7µm) | 8MP (f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.12µm) | The Edge 20 has a higher megapixel front camera, but the Pixel 6 has a wider aperture and a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (f/2.4) | None | The Edge 20 offers optical zoom, which the Pixel 6 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12MP (f/2.2, 1/2.9", 1.12µm) | The Pixel 6 has an ultrawide lens, great for group shots and landscapes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 16MP (f/2.2) | None | The Edge 20 offers a unique wide angle + macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS) | 4K@60fps (OIS, EIS) | The Pixel 6 has superior video stabilization with OIS and EIS, and captures 4K at 60fps vs. 30fps on the Edge 20. |
| DxOMark (Main) | Not Tested | 126 (Photo: 136, Video: 133) | The Pixel 6's camera performance is highly rated. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Not Tested | 129 (Photo: 130, Video: 127) | The Pixel 6's selfie camera is highly rated. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 4600mAh | The Pixel 6 has a larger battery and likely provides longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 23W | The Edge 20 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | 21W Wireless Charging | The Edge 20 offers reverse charging. The Pixel 6 has convenient wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgrade to 12) | Android 12 (upgrade to 14) | The Pixel 6 gets the latest OS updates first and for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both have the latest Bluetooth standard for faster, more reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | The Pixel 6 has more location options for better accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The Pixel 6 offers eSIM functionality, while the Edge 20 has two physical SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both have similar storage options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Stereo Speakers | The Pixel 6 has better audio output with stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Edge 20 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer | The Pixel 6 features more sensors, including a barometer and magnetometer |
| ## 2. Key Insights |
Motorola Edge 20
- Strengths: Its standout feature is the incredibly smooth 144Hz refresh rate display, making it perfect for anyone who values fluidity. It's also exceptionally lightweight and slim, making it a great fit for those seeking a comfortable phone for everyday carry. Its inclusion of a telephoto lens is great for zoom shots.
- Competitive Advantages: The Edge 20 offers faster charging, a telephoto lens and a more comfortable form factor with reverse charging.
- Trade-offs: The Edge 20's weaker processor, lower-rated camera, and smaller battery are trade-offs for its lighter weight and smoother display.
- Limitations: It lacks some high-end features like wireless charging and a high-end camera that its competitors in the same price bracket have.
Google Pixel 6
- Strengths: The Pixel 6's Google Tensor chip gives it a clear edge in performance, AI, and overall fluidity, not to mention timely software updates and improved camera performance. Its camera is fantastic, particularly in low light, and it has useful extras like wireless charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Its real advantage is software, performance and camera capabilities.
- Trade-offs: The Pixel 6 is heavier and has a less smooth 90Hz display.
- Limitations: The Pixel 6 lacks a telephoto lens and is slightly heavier than the Edge 20.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 20
- Best For: Users who prioritize a smooth display, a lightweight and slim design, and a telephoto zoom camera. It's also good for casual users who prioritize comfort and fluidity over top-tier performance.
- Use Cases: Great for media consumption, scrolling social media, and light gaming. Ideal for those who value comfort and portability over everything else.
- Price-to-Value: It's a strong mid-range contender with a focus on essential features and experience.
Google Pixel 6
- Best For: Those seeking the best possible camera, top-tier performance, and timely software updates. It's the best option for photo enthusiasts, power users, and anyone invested in the Google ecosystem.
- Use Cases: Ideal for photography, video production, high-performance gaming, and any task that benefits from the Google Tensor's processing power.
- Price-to-Value: It offers excellent value, delivering a premium smartphone experience at a competitive price point, if you prioritize high-performance processing power, camera performance, and timely software updates over the display refresh rate.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- Do you prioritize display smoothness over processing power and camera performance? If your answer is yes, the Edge 20 is for you. If not, the Pixel 6 is a better fit.
- Is having the best possible camera performance a must? If it is, the Pixel 6's sensor, image processing, and stabilization will be more appealing. If not, the Motorola is still a very capable performer.
- How important is battery life, wireless charging, or comfort? The Pixel 6 has a larger battery and wireless charging, while the Edge 20 is lighter and includes reverse charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Multimedia Enthusiast: If you love watching movies, and scrolling through social media, the Motorola Edge 20's 144Hz display is more appealing due to its smoother experience.
- For the Photography Buff: The Google Pixel 6 is the clear winner with its excellent sensor, powerful processing for computational photography, and OIS and EIS for videos.
- For the Gamer: The Pixel 6 with its more powerful processor, better GPU, and enhanced cooling systems is the better fit, offering a smoother gameplay experience even if the display refresh rate is lower.
- For the "Light User": If your main goal is a comfortable device that offers a great experience for your daily social media browsing, emails and light gaming, the Edge 20 might be what you're looking for.
- For the "Productivity Focused": If you do a lot of multitasking, the Google Pixel 6 is for you, due to its processing power, superior audio, and access to the latest software updates.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Google Pixel 6. While I appreciate the Motorola Edge 20's smooth display and lightweight design, my priorities lie with a powerful processor, outstanding camera quality, and timely software updates, all of which the Pixel 6 delivers exceptionally well. As a tech journalist and someone who often uses my phone for creative tasks like photography and video, the Pixel 6's camera capabilities and AI integration make it the ideal choice for my needs. While the 90Hz display might not be as smooth, the overall package of performance, camera quality, and timely updates is too good to pass up.
