Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S23. I'll break down the specs, analyze the real-world implications, and help you decide which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications, along with their practical implications:
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm | Edge is larger and might be less pocketable; S23 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 170g | 168g | Virtually identical weight, both are fairly light in the hand. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S23 offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.1" | Edge has more screen real estate, great for media; S23 is more compact, better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp, detailed visuals; differences are negligible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 399 | 425 | S23 has slightly crisper visuals due to higher pixel density, though not vastly noticeable. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks; quality is largely similar |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations; S23 is still very smooth; difference is subtle in practice. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S23 has dramatically better outdoor visibility, essential for bright sunlight conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | S23 has a significantly more powerful chip, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 1,456,671 | S23 is almost three times faster than the Edge, offering substantially better performance overall. |
| GPU | ARM Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 740 | S23 has a superior GPU for graphically intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3900mAh | Edge has a notably larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life under comparable usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Edge offers slightly faster wired charging. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W, 5W Reverse | 10W, 4.5W Reverse | Edge offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | Both have similar main cameras with slight differences in sensor size, Motorola might have a slight edge in light gathering ability. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Edge has a higher resolution front camera, S23 has a wider aperture for low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" | S23 offers optical zoom capabilities lacking on the Edge. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Edge has a wider aperture for low light, S23 has slightly larger pixel size. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP f/2.4 | None | Edge has a dedicated macro lens; S23 does not. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@960fps with HDR & EIS | S23 offers superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions and frame rates. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | 133 (Mobile) | S23 has a proven reputation for excellent photo and video quality based on tests. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgrade to 13) | Android 13 (Upgrade to 17) | S23 has newer OS, longer updates and more features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | S23 includes advanced features for enhanced Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE | S23 has a newer Bluetooth version with better features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S23 has more accurate location tracking thanks to dual-band GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | S23 has more storage options, ideal for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8GB | S23 is better optimized for multitasking and running resource-heavy applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so consider storage needs before buying. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, 3 Mics, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mics | Edge has better audio features, ideal for enhanced spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both have similar biometric fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S23 features: Hall, Geomagnetic. Edge features: Magnetometer. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022): Strengths
- Larger Display: The 6.6" OLED screen is great for media consumption and gaming, offering an immersive visual experience.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations compared to the S23's 120Hz.
- Bigger Battery: A 5000mAh battery offers better battery life.
- Wider Aperture Wide Lens: f/1.5 wide lens for low light.
- Macro Camera: A dedicated macro camera for capturing close-up shots.
- Faster Wireless Charging: 15W wireless and 5W reverse charging capability.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and 3 mics for better spatial audio.
- Competitive Pricing: Usually comes at a more budget-friendly price point.
Motorola Edge (2022): Weaknesses
- Lower Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 1050 chip is significantly less powerful than the S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
- Display Brightness: The absence of any brightness data, suggesting its low performance and poor sunlight legibility.
- Older OS: Comes with Android 12, while S23 is on Android 13.
- Camera Limitations: Lacks a telephoto lens and high end video features present in S23.
- Lacks build quality: Offers only Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection, while S23 offers far superior Victus 2.
- Lacks Features: Lacks some connectivity features like MiMO, has older bluetooth version.
Samsung Galaxy S23: Strengths
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers dramatically better processing power for all tasks, including gaming and heavy apps.
- Excellent Display Brightness: 1750 nits allows for great visibility even in bright sunlight.
- Better Software Support: Comes with Android 13 and guaranteed future OS updates.
- High End Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens and enhanced video capabilities.
- Proven Camera Quality: High DXOMark score for mobile camera performance.
- Strong Build: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- More Storage Options: Available with up to 512GB internal storage.
- Advanced Connectivity: includes features like MiMO, better bluetooth, and dual-band GPS.
Samsung Galaxy S23: Weaknesses
- Smaller Display: A 6.1" display might feel cramped for some users.
- Smaller Battery: Its 3900mAh battery may not last as long as the Edge's on heavy usage.
- Slower Charging: Slower wired and wireless charging.
- Higher Price: Generally more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022) is best for:
- Users who prioritize a large screen and immersive media consumption.
- Budget-conscious individuals who need good battery life and basic functionality.
- Users who value slightly smoother scrolling with higher refresh rate.
- Users who occasionally take close-up photos.
Use Cases: Watching movies and TV shows, casual gaming, general browsing, long commutes.
Samsung Galaxy S23 is best for:
- Users who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks.
- Users who prioritize excellent camera quality and versatility for professional or semi-professional photography.
- Users who want the most advanced software features and support.
- Users who want the most advanced display technology
- Users who need strong sunlight legibility.
Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, professional photography and videography, business use, travel.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
How much do you value performance?
- If top-tier processing power is essential for gaming and multitasking, the S23 is the clear choice.
- If you’re okay with a capable but less powerful device, the Edge might be sufficient.
How important is display brightness, quality and camera capabilities?
- If you prioritize strong sunlight legibility and high end camera functionality, the S23 is significantly better.
- If you prioritize a large screen with solid basic camera features, the Edge could be a good choice.
What is your budget?
- If budget is a major concern, the Edge offers very good value for the price.
- If you’re willing to pay extra for a superior experience, the S23 offers more advanced features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
The "Casual User": If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and watching videos, the Motorola Edge is a good choice. It offers a large display, excellent battery life, and is significantly more budget-friendly.
The "Power User": If you frequently game, run demanding apps, or need high-quality photos and videos, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is the superior option. The performance and camera quality are worth the premium price.
The "Balanced User": If you need a phone that is capable for both productivity and media consumption, the S23 is ideal. While it does not offer a large display, the superior quality means that everything you do will feel better and more performant.
My Choice
If I had to pick one, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23.
While the Motorola Edge has its merits, the S23 offers a superior experience in terms of performance, camera capabilities, build quality and display technology. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip makes a significant difference in speed and smoothness, especially for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Additionally, the S23's camera system is far more versatile, offering high resolution video recording, and excellent image quality. Also, the difference in software is huge, where Samsung offers a far better experience, longer support and better security.
Although the S23 comes at a higher price point and a slightly smaller battery, its overall value justifies the cost for users who need high-end performance and want the most future proof device. It is worth investing the extra for a far superior phone.
