Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. We've got two very different beasts here, one a classic slab and the other a folding marvel, so let's see how they stack up.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table breaking down the key specs and their real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Flip5's folding design offers unique portability and a compact form when closed, while the Edge provides the standard smartphone experience. |
| Dimensions | 160.9 × 74.2 × 8 mm | 165.1 × 71.9 × 6.9 mm | The Flip5 is slightly taller and thinner; the Edge is wider and has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 170g | 187g | The Edge is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Flip5 has a marginally larger display. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | The Flip5 offers a slightly sharper display. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 399 | 425 | Flip5 offers slightly more pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | (Missing from data) | The Edge has a clear advantage here with its vibrant and energy-efficient OLED display; Flip5's display technology is missing in the data. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Edge has a higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | The Flip5 boasts significantly better brightness, making it far more visible in bright outdoor conditions. The Edge seems to have a data error. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Flip5 has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, providing a significantly better user experience, particularly in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 522,375 | 1,531,700 | The Flip5 boasts drastically superior benchmark scores, highlighting the performance gap. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 740 | The Flip5 has a more capable GPU, providing better graphics performance for gaming and heavy apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3700mAh | The Edge has a substantially larger battery capacity, suggesting better battery endurance. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The Edge has a slightly faster wired charging. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 5W reverse | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse, Bypass Charging, 50% in 30 min | The Flip5 has additional features like bypass charging, and faster charging to 50% in 30 minutes, while the Edge has a higher reverse charging output. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1.8µm | The Edge has higher resolution but the Flip5 has larger pixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 0.7µm | 10MP, f/2.4, 1.22µm | The Edge has significantly higher resolution for selfies but smaller pixels. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.2 (Missing pixel size) | The Edge has a slightly higher resolution and much wider aperture for better low-light wide shots. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2.83", 0.9µm | None | The Edge offers dedicated macro shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps; HDR | The Flip5 is better in video with 4K@60fps and higher frame rates for slow motion but both offer stabilization. |
| DXOMARK Mobile Scores | N/A | Main 127, Photo 132, Video 128 | The Flip5's camera scores better than the Edge based on the DXOMARK score. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) | The Flip5 has a more recent OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | The Flip5 offers additional Wi-Fi MiMO feature. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 (with a suite of additional features) | The Flip5 has a newer Bluetooth version and more features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Flip5 has better GPS with more satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM and eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | The Flip5 has higher base storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | Both devices offer plenty of RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Stereo Speakers | The Edge has a more advanced audio experience with additional features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Flip5 has a more modern side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Flip5 uses more durable glass for better protection. |
| Sensors | Magnetometer | Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Both come with standard set of sensors plus extra sensors for both phones. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potential for longer battery life.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 144Hz refresh rate offers a smoother visual experience.
- More Versatile Camera Setup: Offers a dedicated Macro lens.
- More Affordable: Generally available at a more budget-friendly price point.
- Audio Prowess: Offers Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, and 3 microphones.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Strengths:
- Unique Foldable Design: Offers portability and a unique experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip offers superior processing power.
- Brighter Display: The 1750 nits peak brightness provides excellent outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Video Capabilities: Better video recording capabilities with high frame rates for slow motion.
- Superior Build Quality: Uses more advanced screen protection and has better GPS accuracy.
- Better Camera Quality: DXOMARK scores confirm better camera quality than the Edge (2022)
- Faster charging to 50%: In 30 minutes.
Trade-offs:
- The Edge sacrifices performance for battery life and a more affordable price point.
- The Flip5 has a smaller battery and is more expensive due to its innovative design and cutting-edge technology.
- The Motorola Edge (2022) is missing information on display brightness, making it difficult to compare.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022) is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want good performance at a lower price.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Great for people who need a long-lasting phone.
- Multimedia Lovers: The 144 Hz refresh rate and Dolby Atmos support are great for media.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is ideal for:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who desire cutting-edge technology and a unique design.
- Power Users: People who need top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Fashion-Conscious Users: The foldable design is a statement piece.
- Travelers: With better GPS and display brightness the phone is more practical for travelers.
- Users who value portability: The foldable design of the Flip5 makes it highly portable.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to ask when deciding between these phones:
- What is my budget? The Edge is the more affordable option, while the Flip5 sits in the premium tier.
- How important is performance? The Flip5 will offer a substantially more powerful experience.
- How do I value innovative design vs. traditional simplicity? The foldable nature of the Flip5 is a game-changer, while the Edge is a classic slab.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a student on a budget: The Motorola Edge is the more practical and economical choice.
- For a gamer: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is the clear winner due to its far superior processing power.
- For a frequent traveler: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 will be more suitable due to the brighter display, better GPS, compact design when folded, and high performance.
- For a photographer: The Galaxy Z Flip5 will be better due to the better camera performance according to DXOMARK.
- For casual use and media consumption: Both phones will be great, but the Motorola Edge (2022) will be a more economic choice and provide the needed features.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. While the Motorola Edge (2022) offers a compelling package at a lower price point with a potentially longer battery life, the performance gap is simply too vast to ignore, as this would affect user experience for years to come. As a tech journalist and someone who pushes the boundaries of what a phone can do, I would rather opt for the premium experience offered by the Galaxy Z Flip5. Moreover, the brighter display, better video capabilities, and smaller form factor when folded makes it more practical for everyday use. Even though battery life might be a concern, the fast charging feature is a good countermeasure. Additionally, the Foldable feature is revolutionary and makes the phone more versatile. While the Edge is a solid and dependable device, the Flip5 is just more exciting and future-forward.
