Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S24. I'll be breaking down the specs and giving you the real-world implications, just like I'm explaining it to a friend.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table to help us understand the key differences:
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm | 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm | The Motorola is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, which might be less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. |
| Weight | 170g | 167g | Both phones are lightweight, so this weight difference is negligible for most people. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional non-folding phones |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.2" | Motorola has a larger screen, which may be preferred for media consumption or gaming. The S24 is more compact, and easier for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both displays are very crisp. The difference in resolution is minor, and not noticeable in day to day use. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 399 | 416 | Both phones have great pixel density for sharp and clear images. The S24 is slightly sharper. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED display on the Motorola provides richer colors and deeper blacks. Samsung's technology is not listed here. | |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Motorola offers slightly smoother animations making it more fluid. In real-world usage most people will struggle to see the difference. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | The S24 has a drastically brighter screen, making it much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. The Motorola is not usable outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The S24's chipset is much newer and more powerful, resulting in better performance in games, multitasking, and demanding applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 1,639,695 | The S24 has far better performance in benchmarks and will feel much faster and smoother. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 750 | The S24's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in smoother gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | Both have a 50MP main sensor, but the Motorola has a slightly larger sensor size. They should perform similarly in standard conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45 | 12MP, f/2.2 | The Motorola's selfie camera has higher resolution but the S24 has a wider aperture, letting more light in. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4 | The S24 has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a feature the Motorola lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5 | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | The Motorola wide-angle lens has a wider aperture but not as sharp, which is better for low light. S24 has better sensor size. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola provides a dedicated macro lens to get close-up details. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | The S24 has superior video capabilities with 8K recording, but both phones provide EIS for stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, OIS, PDAF | Night Mode 2.0, 4K & 8K Video, Optical Zoom, OIS, PDAF | The S24 has far superior features for low light photography and better zooming capabilities. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | The Motorola has a much larger battery, potentially offering better battery life. Real world usage may vary based on the device configuration. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Motorola charges slightly faster, though both are relatively quick. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse Charging | Bypass charging | The Motorola offers wireless charging and reverse charging, while the S24 offers a feature called Bypass charging. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (up to 13) | Android 14 (up to 21) | The S24 has a newer version of Android with more features and updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wifi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | S24 has the latest standard WiFi, for better speed and stability, and less interference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | S24 offers newer Bluetooth for better connection range and quality. S24 provides additional audio codecs. |
| GPS | Multi-System | Multi-System | The S24 has additional satellite systems to offer more accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | Both phones support dual SIMs and eSIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | The S24 is available in 512GB, which is great for power users. The Motorola tops out at 256GB. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | The S24 has more RAM, which is helpful for heavy users or gamers. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage via SD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 3 mics | None | Motorola has better audio features for an immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24 offers better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Proximity, Motion, Environmental, Hall, Geomagnetic | Motorola includes additional sensors. S24 includes Hall and Geomagnetic sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths:
- Larger Display and Smoother Refresh Rate: Ideal for media consumption and gaming, providing an immersive visual experience.
- Bigger Battery: Potentially offers longer battery life for users on the go.
- Faster Charging: Can be topped up slightly faster than the S24.
- Macro Lens: Gives close-up, detailed photography capabilities.
- Better audio: Dolby Atmos and 3 mics provide richer, clearer audio experiences.
- Lower Price: This phone is typically more affordable than the Samsung S24.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset blows away the MediaTek chip, making it significantly faster and smoother for all tasks.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Telephoto Lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities for versatile photography.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes Night Mode 2.0, RAW support, and 4K & 8K video.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Available with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
- Newer Software: Ships with a more modern Android version and is likely to get more years of updates.
- Better Build Quality: Higher-end protection and build quality compared to the Motorola.
- Better WiFi and Bluetooth Standards: Faster speeds, more reliable connection, and better audio transmission.
- Bypass charging: Allows users to use the phone while charging without degrading the battery.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Edge (2022) is larger and may be less comfortable for some users.
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a smaller battery which may lead to less battery life. It is also more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022) is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for good value and are not demanding with performance.
- Media lovers: Users who want a large, smooth display for watching videos and playing games.
- Users who want a larger battery: Those that need long battery life without needing to charge the phone as often.
- Macro photography enthusiasts: Users who enjoy getting close-up, detailed shots.
- Audiophiles: Users who want the best audio experience with Dolby Atmos.
Samsung Galaxy S24 is best for:
- Power users: Users who demand the highest performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want the best camera, especially for zoomed shots and low-light conditions.
- Outdoor users: Those who need a bright, viewable screen in sunlight.
- Future-proof users: Those who prioritize the latest software and features.
- Users who want a smaller phone
- Users who value the best possible technology: Those who want a phone with top-of-the-line specifications.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- How important is performance to you? If you need top-tier speed and smooth multitasking, the S24 is the clear choice.
- What's your budget? The Motorola Edge (2022) is typically much more affordable, while the S24 is a flagship device.
- What are your priorities for screen size and battery life? If you value a larger screen and longer battery, the Motorola is better suited.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and light tasks, the Motorola Edge (2022) is an excellent value proposition.
- Gamer: If you are a mobile gamer or do tasks that demand the highest performance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the better pick.
- Photographer: The Samsung Galaxy S24's camera system is superior, especially if you value optical zoom.
- Outdoor User: The S24's superior brightness is much better in bright light.
- Battery Conscious: If battery life is your number one concern, the Motorola Edge may perform better.
My Choice
If it were me making the decision, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. While the Motorola Edge (2022) has its merits, like a larger screen, a bigger battery, a dedicated macro lens, and a more affordable price tag, the S24 simply outperforms it in all the areas that matter most to me.
The significant performance gap due to the vastly superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is enough to seal the deal. I'm often multitasking, playing games, and using demanding apps, so I need all the processing power I can get. The superior camera system, especially the telephoto lens and advanced low-light photography, means the S24 is much better suited to my photography habits. Plus, I also want the latest software with future updates and the brightness of the S24 is just much better. I am also more partial to smaller devices which makes the Samsung the better choice.
While I appreciate the extra battery capacity of the Motorola, I would much rather have the added power and features on the S24. The S24 also boasts a more refined design and build quality, which feels more premium in my hand. For me, the S24 hits the sweet spot for performance, display quality, photography, and future-proofing, making the extra cost worth the investment.
