Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge (2022) and the OnePlus 11. We’ll go beyond the spec sheets and talk about what these differences actually mean for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | OnePlus 11 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm | 163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm | The OnePlus 11 is a bit taller and thicker, meaning it may feel slightly bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 170g | 205g | The Motorola Edge is significantly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Minimal size difference; OnePlus 11 provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3216 | OnePlus 11 offers a notably sharper and more detailed display due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 399 | 525 | The OnePlus 11's screen will be significantly crisper, especially for text and detailed images. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use excellent technologies, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Motorola Edge's higher refresh rate leads to slightly smoother scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 11’s display will be much more visible in bright sunlight; Motorola's brightness data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 11 is significantly more powerful and energy-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 1,389,474 | OnePlus 11 is drastically faster, handling heavy apps and games with ease. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 11 has a much more potent GPU for graphically intense tasks and high framerate gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", OV50A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", IMX890 | Slight edge to Motorola on paper with a slightly larger sensor. However, the sensor is a bit older. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 0.7µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1", S5K3P9 | Motorola has a higher-resolution selfie camera, while the OnePlus has larger pixels for better low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", IMX709 | OnePlus 11 offers a dedicated zoom lens; Motorola Edge has no zoom lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5 | None | Motorola Edge includes a wide-angle lens for ultrawide shots; OnePlus lacks a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2.83", OV24B1Q | None | Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, OnePlus 11 does not have a macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2", IMX581 | OnePlus 11 has a shared wide angle + macro, whereas the Motorola offers dedicated lenses instead of a shared one. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | OnePlus 11 has much more advanced video recording capabilities, including 8K and HDR options, and higher framerate slow-mo. |
| DXOMARK Score | Not Available | Main Score: 127, Photo Score: 134, Video Score: 121 | OnePlus 11 has a tested score, indicating better overall camera quality than the Edge. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery size, suggesting similar battery life depending on usage. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 100W fast charging | OnePlus 11 charges significantly faster; Motorola will take far longer to charge. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 5W reverse | None | Motorola has wireless charging and the ability to reverse charge other devices; OnePlus 11 lacks these features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) | OnePlus 11 ships with a newer Android version, meaning newer features and updates are more likely for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | OnePlus 11 offers the very latest Wi-Fi standard for faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | OnePlus 11 has newer Bluetooth and more audio codec support for higher-quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus 11 supports more satellite systems for enhanced location precision. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both phones offer dual SIM capabilities with an eSIM option. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | OnePlus 11 has an optional 512GB model, while the Motorola is limited to 256GB max. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB | OnePlus 11 can be configured with much more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, 3 mics, noise cancellation | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, stereo speakers, 2 mics | Motorola has an additional microphone and noise cancellation, while OnePlus offers Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have the same fingerprint sensor technology |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 11 is more resistant to scratches and drops thanks to the better protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola Edge has more sensors including Barometer and Magnetometer, while the OnePlus has a Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths:
- Lighter and More Comfortable: Its lighter weight makes it more comfortable for prolonged use and carrying around.
- Slightly Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Dedicated Lens Setup: Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro lens offer versatility for photographers who like options.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: The inclusion of wireless charging and reverse charging provides versatility for charging other devices.
- More Mics: The 3 mic setup with noise cancellation could provide improved audio recording and call quality.
OnePlus 11 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip offers a much better experience overall with faster app loading, gaming and multitasking.
- Significantly Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density lead to a much more detailed and crisp viewing experience.
- Much Brighter Screen: With a brightness of 1300nits, the OnePlus will be much better visible in bright environments.
- Faster Charging: The 100W fast charging is significantly quicker, making charging less of a hassle.
- More Advanced Cameras: The telephoto lens, higher-quality video recording, and better sensor mean better photos and video.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer Android version and is likely to get updates for a longer duration than the Motorola Edge (2022).
- Better Build Quality: The Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior protection against drops and scratches, increasing longevity.
- Superior Connectivity: The inclusion of WiFi 7, a newer Bluetooth Version, and more GPS capabilities will make the device perform better with these features.
- Better Storage and RAM: The availability of a 512 GB model and up to 16 GB of RAM allows for more demanding tasks and future-proofing.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola Edge: Sacrifices power and camera quality for a lighter weight, dedicated lenses, wireless charging, and slightly smoother display.
- OnePlus 11: Heavier build, lacks wireless charging and dedicated macro/wide-angle lens, but offers better performance, screen quality and overall features.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022):
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize comfort and a lighter phone, and who also need the flexibility of wireless charging and a dedicated macro or wide-angle lens, and don't require heavy usage.
- Use Cases: Casual users, those who like to travel light, people who use their phone mainly for daily tasks and multimedia, but who might also take photos occasionally.
- Value: Might appeal to those who want a more affordable, feature-rich phone with good daily performance.
OnePlus 11:
- Ideal for: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, and users who demand the best performance, screen quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Heavy mobile gaming, high-resolution video and photography, professionals who need a powerful device for on-the-go work and content creation.
- Value: Provides better value for those who need a top-tier performance, screen and camera.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
Do you prioritize performance and display quality above all else?
- Yes: OnePlus 11 is the better choice for its superior chip, screen quality and camera capabilities.
- No: The Motorola Edge might be adequate if you don't need top-tier performance, but want better convenience features like wireless charging, and a dedicated wide/macro lens.
Are you going to be using the device for heavy gaming and multitasking?
- Yes: The OnePlus 11 with its beefier internals will be a better choice.
- No: The Motorola Edge will be fine for casual day-to-day usage.
Is build quality and longevity a concern?
- Yes: The OnePlus 11 with its Gorilla Glass Victus is likely to be more durable and have a longer life span.
- No: The Motorola Edge will suffice if you are careful with your devices and can forgive the lesser scratch/drop resistance.
Conclusion
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would pick the OnePlus 11
While the Motorola Edge has some appealing features like a lighter build, slightly smoother display and wireless charging, the OnePlus 11 blows it out of the water in most other metrics that matter. The significantly more powerful processor and GPU means that the device will be significantly smoother and faster, which will provide a better user experience overall. The better display, faster charging, and better camera also make it a better device for more demanding users. While the lack of wireless charging is a shame, I personally prefer the faster wired charging and other features. The overall package of the OnePlus 11 seems like a better device, and the higher price is justified given the feature difference.
