Okay, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Motorola Edge (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It's a classic matchup of a well-rounded mid-ranger versus a top-tier flagship, and the differences are quite striking.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specifications, focusing on what they mean for you in the real world:
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.9 × 74.2 × 8 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | The S24 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, which might feel less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 170g | 232g | The Motorola Edge is considerably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | The S24 Ultra's screen is more scratch-resistant with Gorilla Glass Armor, providing superior protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.8" | The S24 Ultra offers a slightly larger display for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | The S24 Ultra's higher resolution results in sharper, crisper visuals, perfect for media consumption and detailed work. |
| PPI | 399 | 505 | The S24 Ultra's higher pixel density means smoother text and images, particularly noticeable when viewing up close. |
| Technology | OLED | (Not Provided) | The Motorola Edge's OLED panel means vivid colors and deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Motorola Edge's 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | The S24 Ultra has significantly higher brightness for excellent outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The S24 Ultra's top-tier Snapdragon chip delivers significantly faster performance in all aspects including gaming, apps and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 1,814,869 | The S24 Ultra provides a much smoother and faster experience overall, with less lag during heavy tasks. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 750 | The S24 Ultra offers better graphics performance for demanding games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 50MP f/1.8 | 200MP f/1.7 | The S24 Ultra offers much higher resolution images and better low-light performance due to its larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | Not Provided | 50MP f/2.4 | The S24 Ultra provides great flexibility with telephoto shots and depth-of-field portrait effects. |
| Selfie | 32MP f/2.45 | 12MP f/2.2 | The Motorola Edge has higher resolution, but the S24 Ultra's wider aperture will let in more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Provided | 10MP f/3.4 | The S24 Ultra offers enhanced zooming capabilities with its dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/1.5 | 12.2MP f/2.2 | The Motorola Edge offers a wider aperture for wide angle shots, which allows it to handle low-light situations better than the S24 Ultra. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP f/2.4 | Not Provided | Motorola Edge has a macro lens that allows for capturing extreme close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | The S24 Ultra is capable of recording much higher-resolution videos and better stabilisation. |
| DxOMark | N/A | 144 (Mobile) | S24 Ultra's camera is professionally rated. |
| Additional Features | Triple Camera, OIS | Quad Camera, OIS, Night Mode 2.0, RAW | The S24 Ultra has more advanced camera features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under similar conditions. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 45W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | The S24 Ultra charges slightly faster. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse, Bypass Charging | Both offer wireless and reverse charging. The S24 Ultra supports bypass charging which improves battery longevity. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 21) | The S24 Ultra ships with a newer Android version and will receive more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | The S24 Ultra offers faster speed, lower latency and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The S24 Ultra has a more recent bluetooth version and supports more profiles. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, etc. | A-GPS, GLONASS, etc. | The S24 Ultra has more satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano+eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM + Nano/eSIM) | Both support dual SIM with eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | The S24 Ultra provides more storage options, especially for users who need to store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 12GB | The S24 Ultra has more RAM, which enables smoother multitasking and gaming experience. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 3 mics | Stereo Speakers, Dual Mic | The Motorola Edge offers Dolby Atmos and 3 microphones which will enhance audio capture and playback experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric authentication through fingerprint sensors. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass etc. | Accelerometer, Compass etc. | The Motorola Edge has a magnetometer in addition to standard sensors. The S24 Ultra includes a Hall and Geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022):
- Strengths:
- Lightweight and Comfortable: Significantly lighter than the S24 Ultra, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Smooth Display: 144Hz refresh rate offers a fluid visual experience, ideal for gaming.
- Good Audio: Dolby Atmos support and 3 microphones contribute to a more immersive audio experience.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens provides good close up shots.
- More Affordable: Likely costs less than the S24 Ultra, offering a good price-to-performance ratio in the mid-range category.
- Trade-offs:
- Lower Performance: Its MediaTek chipset lags behind the Snapdragon in the S24 Ultra, affecting gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Inferior Camera: Doesn’t match the S24 Ultra's camera in terms of resolution, image quality, or features.
- Less Bright Display: Significantly lower brightness means it might struggle in bright sunlight.
- Older Software: Ships with an older version of Android.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Strengths:
- Elite Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers top-tier performance, ideal for demanding users.
- Superior Display: High resolution, high pixel density, and exceptional brightness provide an unmatched visual experience.
- Versatile Camera: Features a 200MP main camera with impressive zoom capabilities and more advanced software features.
- Up-to-date Software: Ships with the latest version of Android, and guarantees more software support.
- Faster Charging: Faster wired charging.
- Trade-offs:
- Heavy and Bulky: Noticeably heavier and larger, not the most comfortable to hold and use for long periods.
- Premium Price: It is the more expensive option.
- No Macro Lens
- Lower Refresh Rate: 120Hz compared to the 144Hz of the Motorola Edge.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022) is Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a good blend of features and performance without breaking the bank.
- Everyday users: Those who prioritize comfort and smooth scrolling over top-tier performance and camera capabilities.
- Casual gamers: Those who play games occasionally and appreciate a smoother refresh rate.
- Users who enjoy audio: Dolby Atmos and 3 microphones will enhance listening experience.
- Users who like taking macro shots: The dedicated macro lens will capture great close-up photos.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is Ideal For:
- Power users: Those who demand the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and other demanding applications.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who require high resolution, great zoom and great quality images and videos in any light conditions.
- Professional use: Those needing a reliable and versatile device for content creation, mobile work and advanced software and features.
- Users who prioritize a premium experience: This is the superior choice if you want all the best features and performance in a single device.
- Users who want the latest software: Ships with the newest Android version and more updates in the future.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
What is your budget? If you are on a budget, the Motorola Edge (2022) will offer a lot of value at a lower price. If you want the best of the best, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will deliver but at a much higher price point.
How important is performance and the camera to you? If you’re a power user who demands top-tier speed, responsiveness, and versatile camera capabilities, the Samsung S24 Ultra is the clear choice. If you’re more of a casual user, then the Motorola will offer good enough performance and a decent camera system.
How important is comfort and ergonomics? If comfort and lightness are crucial to you, the Motorola Edge (2022) will feel better in hand. If you prioritize a larger screen, better resolution and brightness, the S24 Ultra is the way to go.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual user on a budget: Go for the Motorola Edge (2022) for a reliable, comfortable and well-rounded smartphone.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra provides superior camera capabilities.
- Mobile Professional/Power User: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is essential for its best-in-class performance and advanced features.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would personally go for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Here's why:
As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst who values cutting-edge technology, I prioritize having the latest features, best-in-class performance, and a versatile, top-tier camera system. While I acknowledge that the Motorola Edge (2022) provides excellent value for the money, the S24 Ultra’s overall capabilities align more closely with my needs and preferences. The higher resolution, superior screen brightness, significantly better performance, and vastly superior camera system will allow for more flexibility for my use cases, providing me with the best possible experience and capabilities. I need a workhorse that can handle demanding tasks, capture high-quality content, and give me peace of mind when I need it, and the S24 Ultra offers that, despite the additional weight.
While the price is a significant factor, the S24 Ultra’s added features and performance benefits are well worth the investment for my use case. The advancements in camera technology, display quality, and processing power justify the higher cost. The S24 Ultra provides a future-proof experience, allowing me to work seamlessly and efficiently on my mobile device.
