Okay, let's dive deep into the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Motorola Edge 40. Buckle up, because we're going to dissect these devices from an engineering perspective, while keeping in mind what it all means for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed table comparing the key specifications of these two phones, with a focus on real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Motorola Edge 40 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm, 208g | 158.4 × 72 × 7.6 mm, 167g | Edge 40 is significantly more compact and lighter, which makes it much easier to handle and more pocket-friendly for everyday use. The G51 5G is bulkier and might feel less comfortable. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Neither phone is foldable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.55" | G51 5G has a larger screen, better for media consumption. Edge 40 offers slightly more comfortable handling with the smaller screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 387 | 402 | Very similar pixel density means crisp text and images on both devices. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | Edge 40’s P-OLED screen has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the LCD screen of the G51 5G. Outdoor visibility is also much better on the Edge 40. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 40 offers a noticeably smoother display and user experience, especially when gaming. The 120Hz display on G51 is still good but less smooth than the Edge 40. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Edge 40 is dramatically better for outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. G51 5G is not suitable for outdoor use under bright sunlight due to the very low brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm) | Dimensity 8020 (6nm) | Edge 40 has a much more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. The G51 5G chipset is very budget, and more suited for casual users. |
| Antutu Score | 381,000 | 762,526 | Edge 40 offers significantly higher performance for all tasks, from gaming to general app use. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Edge 40's GPU provides much better graphics performance, making it suitable for high-end gaming and graphic-intensive applications. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | G51 5G has a larger battery and should provide better endurance for daily use but the efficiency of the Edge 40 will probably allow it to have a comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless Charging | Edge 40 offers dramatically faster wired charging, and also includes wireless charging, making it significantly more convenient for users who need a quick charge. The 10W of the G51 5G is ridiculously slow for a phone in 2024. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.55" Omnivision OV50A | Edge 40 has a wider aperture, larger sensor, and therefore provides better light sensitivity, resulting in superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The G51 5G will perform OK in daylight, but suffers in lower light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Edge 40 provides significantly higher detail in selfies, although the G51 5G has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | 13MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | G51 5G has a dedicated Wide Angle lens, while Edge 40 has a combined Wide Angle + Macro lens which is better in terms of versatility and image quality. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 13MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | G51 5G has a dedicated macro camera, while the Edge 40’s macro functionality comes from its combined wide-angle macro lens which provides better image quality than a dedicated 2MP sensor. |
| Video Recording | Up to 1080p@240fps | Up to 4K@30fps, 720p@960fps | Edge 40 has much better video recording capabilities, including 4K and slow motion at 720p@960fps. G51 5G is limited to 1080p. The Edge 40 also has better stabilization capabilities. |
| Features | PDAF, LAF etc | PDAF, LAF, OIS etc | Edge 40 has significantly better features, like OIS for video stabilization and Night Mode for better low light photography, The G51 5G lacks a few key features to make it an awesome camera phone. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 (upgradable to 15) | Edge 40 has a more recent Android version which provides a better experience with more features and will have better software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Edge 40 has the faster and more efficient WiFi 6 standard compared to the older 802.11ac on G51 5G. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE, APT-x, LDAC, etc | Edge 40 has better and higher quality Bluetooth codecs, offering enhanced audio quality for wireless headphones. |
| GPS | Standard | GPS (L1+L5) + BeiDou (B1) | Edge 40 offers more precise and quicker GPS performance with dual-band support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Edge 40 has more flexibility with eSIM support, making it more useful for international travel and work, while G51 5G still allows the use of 2 physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256 GB | Edge 40 provides a much larger storage capacity for photos, videos, and apps, though neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| RAM | 4GB or 8GB | 8 GB | Both phones have 8GB models for better multitasking. Edge 40 is more capable due to the better processor. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both phones are limited by internal storage only. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Edge 40 offers more advanced audio quality with stereo speakers and three microphones, providing a more immersive and better sound during calls/recording, The G51 5G lacks stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | G51 5G has a side mounted sensor, not a really advanced feature but practical. Edge 40 has a basic fingerprint sensor, making it probably an under display sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have similar protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 40 has a compass sensor to provide navigation and spatial awareness in a better way. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G51 5G
- Strengths: The Moto G51 5G is a budget-friendly phone that offers basic 5G connectivity with a large display. It has a decent battery for general use.
- Competitive Advantages: The G51 5G's large battery and cheaper price makes it an attractive option for users on a strict budget.
- Trade-offs and Limitations: The biggest limitation is the very weak chipset, the low screen brightness, and the slow charging. The camera performance is quite poor compared to the Edge 40, and the software is older.
Motorola Edge 40
- Strengths: The Edge 40 shines with its superior performance, stunning OLED display, significantly better camera, fast charging, and sleek design.
- Competitive Advantages: The Edge 40 is a premium phone offering much better performance and a significantly enhanced user experience. The fast charging and wireless charging are also big advantages.
- Trade-offs and Limitations: The only real trade-off is the slightly smaller battery capacity, but the efficiency of the Edge 40 likely makes up for this. It is also a bit more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G51 5G
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, individuals who need a secondary phone, those who are new to smartphones, or casual users with basic needs like browsing the internet or making calls.
- Use Cases: Basic browsing, social media, calling, media consumption on a large screen, and for those who need long battery life. Not suitable for gaming, videography or for photography enthusiasts.
Motorola Edge 40
- Ideal User: Tech-savvy individuals, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, users who need smooth performance, and those who value a good camera.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional photography and videography, fast multitasking, power users, and general users who want a smooth and premium experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider when choosing between the two:
- What is your budget? If budget is your primary concern, the Moto G51 5G is a more affordable option that covers the basics. However, if you are looking for a premium device, the Edge 40 is the better choice, and well worth the money.
- How important are performance and camera quality to you? If you need a powerful device for gaming and high-quality pictures, the Edge 40 is the clear winner. The G51 5G lags way behind in these areas.
- What do you value most? If you prioritize long battery life and a basic experience, the Moto G51 5G can be sufficient. However, if you prefer better display quality, faster performance, faster charging, and superior camera performance, the Edge 40 is the much better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: You are looking for an affordable phone for basic tasks with a long battery, the Moto G51 5G is a reasonable option for you if you don't mind the lack of performance, low brightness, slow charging and poor camera.
- Power User: If you are a power user who need a premium experience, the Edge 40 is the better option, offering much better performance, display, and camera.
- Photo Enthusiast: If you take a lot of pictures and videos, the Edge 40 is the clear choice, offering a great camera with many features for taking better pictures.
My Choice
If I were choosing between the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Motorola Edge 40, I would absolutely go with the Motorola Edge 40. Here’s why:
As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst, I value performance, a high-quality display, and a versatile camera. The Edge 40 delivers all of these in spades. The P-OLED screen with its 144Hz refresh rate and 1200 nits brightness is a game-changer for outdoor visibility and overall viewing pleasure. The significantly more powerful processor combined with a better GPU and 8GB of RAM ensures that the device runs smoothly, without lags or interruptions.
Additionally, the Edge 40’s camera is vastly superior with its larger sensor, wider aperture, and features like OIS and 4K video recording which I need for my work, not to mention the fast and wireless charging that makes it super practical.
While the G51 5G offers a large screen, it simply cannot compete with the Edge 40 in performance, display quality, camera capabilities and charging capabilities. In my case, the additional cost of the Edge 40 is absolutely worth it for the significantly enhanced experience. I would rather pay more and have a great phone than compromise on the crucial areas for a better price.
