Motorola Edge 20 vs Sony Xperia 5 V - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Motorola Edge 20
Motorola Edge 20
Motorola

General

Launch Date August 16, 2021 September 25, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 86.72 cm³ 90.06 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 4.11 "/g 3.35 "/g
Weight 163 g 182 g
Height 163 mm 154 mm
Width 76 mm 68 mm
Thickness 7 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Grey
  • Frosted White
  • Frosted Emerald
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Platinum Silver

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.1 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2520
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.5 % 83 %
Pixel Density 385 PPI 449 PPI
Refresh Rate 144 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 89.11 mAh/in² 134.37 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.13 mAh/cm³ 55.52 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 642L Adreno 740

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 12 14

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison between the Motorola Edge 20 and the Sony Xperia 5 V. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and give you my take on which phone comes out on top for different users.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed look at the key specifications of the Motorola Edge 20 and the Sony Xperia 5 V, focusing on what they mean for your everyday use:

FeatureMotorola Edge 20Sony Xperia 5 VReal-World Implications
Design
Dimensions163 × 76 × 7 mm154 × 68 × 8.6 mmEdge 20: Taller and wider, potentially less comfortable in smaller hands. Xperia 5 V: More compact, easier to pocket.
Weight163g182gEdge 20: Lighter, might feel less premium. Xperia 5 V: More substantial, could feel more durable.
Build Quality (Screen)Gorilla Glass 3Gorilla Glass Victus 2Xperia 5 V: Significantly better scratch and drop protection.
Display
Size6.7"6.1"Edge 20: More immersive for media consumption. Xperia 5 V: More manageable for one-handed use.
Resolution1080x24001080x2520Xperia 5 V: Slightly sharper image, but difference might be subtle.
Pixel Density385 PPI449 PPIXperia 5 V: Noticeably crisper text and images.
Refresh Rate144Hz120HzEdge 20: Marginally smoother scrolling, but the difference is likely subtle for most users.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth: Identical peak brightness at 0 nits!
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Xperia 5 V: Significantly faster and more efficient, handles demanding apps and games with ease.
AnTuTu Score589,2001,370,000Xperia 5 V: Much smoother multitasking, better gaming performance.
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 740Xperia 5 V: Better graphics for gaming and video editing.
RAM6 GB or 8 GB8 GBBoth: Plenty of RAM for smooth multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera108MP (f/1.9)48MP (f/1.9)Edge 20: Higher resolution, but megapixels aren't everything. Xperia 5 V: Larger sensor, likely better low-light performance and dynamic range.
Selfie Camera32MP (f/2.3)12MP (f/2.0)Edge 20: High resolution, but may not translate to better selfies in all conditions. Xperia 5 V: Wider aperture for better low-light selfies.
Telephoto LensYes (8MP)NoEdge 20: Offers optical zoom capabilities.
Wide Angle LensNoYes (12.2MP)Xperia 5 V: Allows for ultrawide shots.
Macro LensYes (16MP)NoEdge 20: Dedicated macro camera.
Video4K@30fps4K@120fpsXperia 5 V: Shoots 4k video at 120fps
Camera FeaturesTriple CameraDual CameraEdge 20: Triple Camera, Manual Focus. Xperia 5 V: Dual camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW
Battery Life
Capacity4020mAh5000mAhXperia 5 V: Significantly longer battery life, especially with its more efficient chipset.
Charging30W Fast Charging30W Fast ChargingBoth: Decent fast charging, but not the fastest on the market.
FeaturesReverse ChargingBypass Charging, Reverse ChargingXperia 5 V: Bypass Charging allows phone to be powered directly by charger without charging battery, reducing heat during intensive tasks
Software
OSAndroid 11 (upgradeable to 12)Android 13 (upgradeable to 14)Xperia 5 V: Newer OS with longer support window.
Connectivity
WiFiWiFi 6WiFi 6EXperia 5 V: Newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and less interference.
Bluetooth5.25.3Xperia 5 V: Latest Bluetooth.
SIMNano SIM + Nano SIMNano SIM + eSIMXperia 5 V: Added flexibility with eSIM support.
Storage
ExpandableNoNoNeither: No expandable storage for either device.
Security
Fingerprint SensorSide-mountedSide-mountedBoth: Side-mounted sensors offer quick access.

2. Key Insights

  • Sony Xperia 5 V Strengths:
    • Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a beast, offering vastly superior performance compared to the Snapdragon 778G in the Edge 20.
    • Camera: Despite the lower megapixel count, the larger sensor size and advanced features like OIS and RAW support give the Xperia 5 V a significant edge in image quality.
    • Battery Life: The larger battery coupled with a more efficient processor ensures the Xperia 5 V lasts much longer on a single charge.
    • Software: Newer Android version with guaranteed updates makes the Xperia 5 V a longer-term investment.
    • Build Quality: The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is top-of-the-line screen protection.
  • Motorola Edge 20 Strengths:
    • Display Size: The larger 6.7" display is great for media consumption.
    • Refresh Rate: The 144Hz refresh rate offers slightly smoother scrolling, although the difference might not be noticeable for everyone.
    • Weight: It's noticeably lighter, which might be a plus for some users.
  • Trade-offs:
    • The Motorola Edge 20's main advantage is its lower price point. However, you're sacrificing performance, camera quality, battery life, and future-proofing.
    • The Sony Xperia 5 V is more expensive, but you're getting a significantly better overall package.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Motorola Edge 20:
    • Best suited for budget-conscious users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and occasional photos.
    • Ideal for those who prioritize a large screen for media consumption and don't need top-tier performance or camera capabilities.
  • Sony Xperia 5 V:
    • Designed for users who demand high performance for gaming, photography, and video editing.
    • Perfect for those who value excellent camera quality, long battery life, and a premium user experience.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three practical questions to help you decide:

  1. How important is performance to you?
    • If you need a phone for demanding tasks and gaming, the Xperia 5 V is the clear winner.
    • If you only need basic performance, the Edge 20 might suffice.
  2. What are your camera priorities?
    • If you want top-notch image quality, especially in low light, the Xperia 5 V is the better choice.
    • If you need a dedicated telephoto and macro lens, the Edge 20 has those.
  3. How much do you value battery life?
    • If you need all-day battery life, the Xperia 5 V is the way to go.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget Gamer: If you're on a tight budget but still want to game, the Edge 20 might be a compromise. However, be prepared to turn down the graphics settings.
  • Photography Enthusiast: The Xperia 5 V is the better choice for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
  • Power User: The Xperia 5 V offers superior performance, battery life, and software support, making it the ideal choice for power users.

My Choice:

If I were making the choice, I'd go with the Sony Xperia 5 V. While the Motorola Edge 20 might seem tempting due to its lower price, the Xperia 5 V offers a much better overall experience that justifies the higher cost. The superior performance, camera, battery life, and build quality make it a worthwhile investment, especially if you're planning to use the phone for several years. The larger sensor makes a major difference when taking everyday photos, but the higher processing power makes the phone a top contender.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.