Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge (2022) and the newer Edge 40 Neo. I'll break down their specs and what those numbers mean for your everyday use. Let's get started!
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Motorola Edge 40 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2023-09-14 | The Edge 40 Neo is about a year newer, which usually means it benefits from some newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm | Edge 40 Neo is slightly more compact, making it a tad more pocketable and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 170g | 170g | Both are the same weight, so you won't feel a difference in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.55" | Negligible difference; both offer immersive viewing experiences for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp and crisp displays that are excellent for reading text and viewing detailed images. |
| Pixel Density | 399 PPI | 402 PPI | Both offer similar levels of clarity with high pixel density for clear details. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Similar quality technology; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | Both offer buttery smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. Great for gaming and social media feeds. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | The Edge 40 Neo's significantly higher brightness is a big win for viewing the screen in direct sunlight. The Edge (2022) is lacking here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 | While both are 6nm chips, the Edge (2022)'s Dimensity 1050 often performs better in resource-intensive tasks. The 40 Neo will be fine for daily use though. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 527,666 | Both score almost identically, so similar overall performance. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Mali-G610 MC3 | Different configurations in the same series, but the real-world gaming performance is comparable. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | Both utilize an identical main sensor, so similar performance in standard photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Edge 40 Neo has a slightly wider aperture, allowing for a touch more light, which may help with low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5 | None | The Edge (2022) offers a dedicated wide-angle lens, which makes it more versatile for group photos or landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2.83" | None | The Edge (2022) provides dedicated macro capabilities for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | Edge 40 Neo offers a combined ultra-wide and macro lens, making it more versatile with less lenses. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, up to 120fps Slo-mo | 4K@30fps, up to 240fps Slo-mo | Both record 4K with stabilization, but the Edge 40 Neo provides higher frame-rate slow-motion, which can create better slow-mo content. |
| DxOMark | None | 103 (Mobile), 102 (Photo), 116 (Video) | Edge 40 Neo has a DxOMark rating which the Edge (2022) lacks. Gives an overall idea of the image quality of the phone. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, Macro, etc. | OIS, PDAF, LAF, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | The Edge 40 Neo includes a Laser AF, RAW capture, and a dedicated Night Mode for better low-light shots while Edge (2022) features a triple camera setup. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have identical capacity suggesting similar battery life for basic use. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Edge 40 Neo recharges much faster, meaning less downtime plugged into the wall. |
| Battery Features | Wireless, Reverse charging | Non-removable | Edge (2022) offers both wireless and reverse charging, which the 40 Neo lacks; however, this means the 40 Neo doesn't need to support reverse charging. |
| Software & Storage | |||
| OS | Android 12 (max 13) | Android 13 (max 15) | The Edge 40 Neo has a newer OS with more guaranteed updates. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | Both phones offer ample storage space. The edge (2022) offers 128GB variant. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | The Edge 40 Neo has a 12GB option providing smoother multitasking and handling more intensive tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 3 mics, noise cancellation | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | The Edge (2022) has more mics and noise cancellation, providing better voice capture, and clearer sound in voice-calls. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have comparable WiFi support |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.4 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | The Edge 40 Neo has a newer, better Bluetooth version supporting higher quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | The Edge 40 Neo adds BeiDou B1 for a slightly better GPS lock. |
| SIM Support | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both phones have comparable dual SIM capabilities |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both feature a basic fingerprint sensor for device unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both have the same screen protection for resisting scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, proximity, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer | Fingerprint, proximity, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope | The Edge (2022) includes a barometer and magnetometer, which can add useful data for certain situations/apps. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths:
- More camera lenses: Features a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens for more flexible photography options.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers convenient wireless and reverse charging capabilities, something that is not in the 40 Neo.
- Enhanced audio: Noise cancellation, 3 microphones for improved call and recording quality.
- Environmental sensors: Contains extra sensors like a barometer and magnetometer for more accurate data capture.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo Strengths:
- Significantly brighter display: The 1300 nits brightness is a major advantage for outdoor visibility.
- Faster charging: The 68W charging will significantly reduce charging times.
- Newer software: Comes with Android 13 and guaranteed updates to Android 15, which is more likely to be secure and feature-rich.
- Better slow-motion recording: Capable of 240fps slow-motion video.
- Updated Bluetooth: Offers Bluetooth 5.4 with support for superior audio codecs.
- Improved camera features: Includes Laser Autofocus (LAF), RAW capture, and a Night Mode for better quality photos.
- More RAM (optional): Offers 12GB of RAM for smoother multitasking.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The Edge (2022) has fewer software updates, and its display is not as bright as the Edge 40 Neo.
- The Edge 40 Neo lacks the extra camera lenses for those who like to experiment with photography. It also lacks wireless/reverse charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022) is best for users who:
- Value versatility in photography: Someone who likes to experiment with wide-angle and macro shots.
- Need wireless or reverse charging: For users who find these features to be convenient.
- Prefer enhanced audio: Someone who needs better sound quality during calls or recordings.
- Want extra environmental sensors: For users in particular fields or those who like the extra data.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo is best for users who:
- Prioritize outdoor display visibility: The higher brightness makes it more visible in direct sunlight.
- Want the fastest possible charging: The 68W charging is perfect for people on the go.
- Prefer newer software: Android 13 with future updates offers better security and features.
- Like capturing high-quality slow-motion footage: For content creators or anyone who loves slow-mo.
- Want a more modern experience: Due to its newer features and updated hardware.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How often will you use the phone outdoors? If you're frequently under direct sunlight, the Edge 40 Neo's brighter screen is a massive benefit.
- Do you need wireless/reverse charging? If these features are essential to you, the Edge (2022) is the only option.
- Are software updates important to you? The Edge 40 Neo comes with Android 13 and more guaranteed updates, making it a more future-proof choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Photographers: The Edge (2022) with its dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses gives it an edge, but the Edge 40 Neo has superior low-light performance
- For Commuters: Edge 40 Neo, with its fast charging and a brighter screen is the better choice.
- For Gamers: Both perform similarly, however the 12GB ram option for the Edge 40 Neo is better for heavy gaming.
- For Business Professionals: Edge (2022) due to enhanced audio and better call quality.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would go with the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. While the Edge (2022) does offer the convenience of wireless charging and more camera lenses, the superior display brightness, significantly faster charging speeds, and the promise of more software updates make the 40 Neo a more compelling option for my daily use. Plus, the better slow-motion video recording and enhanced Bluetooth audio codecs are appealing. The added Laser AutoFocus and RAW capture are also benefits that I'd be happy to have in my pocket.
